Hi List I have a second fleet convict John Rowling aka Rawling, Rollings who has been associated with two ships. Most records I have collected say he came out on the Neptune [this is the ship I have recorded him as ,arriving on] some records mention the Surprize. The word 'transferred' has also been written eg He was initially on one, then transferred to the other. I believe the transfer was before sailing from England. I have a some questions regarding the 2nd fleet, why would someone be transferred between the ships before they left please? Were the convicts assigned to set ships based on the goal they came from,their sex, their crime, their sentence or was it just pot luck? Whats would be the best record[s] to consult to find out the truth if he was indeed placed on one ship, then transfer to the other or just on one ship the whole time? Would the reason why be recorded? Thank you Karen