Ross, If I were you I'd check with the State Library of NSW and see if they have any Victorian newspapers for 1849. Cheers Anne -----Original Message----- From: ross [mailto:rwdownie@optusnet.com.au] Sent: Saturday, 15 April 2006 3:49 PM To: AUS-MELBOURNE-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [AUS-MELB] The Convict Ship Hashemy - arrived Melboune May 1849??? Hi Listers I am writing a paper on the convict ship Hashemy, which my gg grandfather, Walter Christie Downie, was first mate of when it came to Sydney in June 1849, and set off a storm of protests regarding the resumption of convict transportation. One mystery though - many historical texts say the Hashemy first tried to land the convicts in Melbourne in May 1849 but was turned away after protests (after arriving on 10 May 1849) - some texts say the Hashemy came straight to Sydney. I have a copy of the diary of the religious instructor on the Hashemy's 1849 voyage, and he kept meticulous notes. His diary entries for May 1849 make no mention of Melbourne at all, let alone protests and being turned away - one would assume he would of made reference to stopping in Melbourne after such a long voyage and last setting foot on land at Cape Town??? I presume the crew would of been allowed to go ashore??? He certainly makes entries about the convicts not being welcome in Sydney, but not even a fleeting reference to Melbourne............ So, my question is - did the Hashemy try to unload the convicts in Melbourne in May 1849, or has this become some sort of historical myth ??? My only thinking to solve the mystery is study the Melbourne newspapers of the time to see if there is reference to the Hashemy protests, but a bit difficult from Sydney. Would anyone know for sure one way or the other or have any other ideas??? Best Regards Ross Downie Sydney ==== AUS-MELBOURNE Mailing List ==== ==================================================== Virus warnings are not to be sent to the List! ============================== Search Family and Local Histories for stories about your family and the areas they lived. Over 85 million names added in the last 12 months. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.4.1/311 - Release Date: 13/04/2006 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.4.1/311 - Release Date: 13/04/2006