Hi List On this day 172 years ago the SOUTHWORTH set sail for VDL with 18 year old Charles LEDGERWOOD and 159 other convicts on board. This is the story of that voyage as told by the Surgeon Superintendent. Journal of His Majesty's Convict Ship Southworth Alex. Stewart /6/ Surgeon Between the 24th June and 28th October 1830 On the 14th of June 1830, three days after my arrival in London from New South Wales, I was appointed to the Southworth Convict Ship, and joined her on the 24th then lying at Sheerness, having 160 Male Prisoners on board and ready for Sea. On the following day received dispatches for the Lieut. Governor of Van Diemens Land and sailed the morning of the 26th; In the evening the wind and tide being against us we came to an anchor in Margate Roads; the 27th again weighed and about noon anchored in the Downs. From this the Ship finally sailed on the 30th with a light breeze at E. b. S. On the 2nd day after being at sea the wind veered round to S.W. blowing strong with thick foggy weather and rain, the motion of the vessel now produced much Sea Sickness among the Guard and Convicts which with the wet state of the Decks and Prisons, from spray and rain, rendared (sic) them very uncomfortable. on the 16th July the weather cleared up with the wind at E.N.E. when we all soon recovered the effects of the former bad weather; by this time the Prisoners Irons were all taken off. On the 22nd having been three weeks at Sea and on Salt provisions. Lime Juice and Sugar were issued to the Guard and Convicts in the proportion of an Ounce of each, mixed in a Pint of water; the 26th the ship was becalmed off the Island of St Antonia, from this period till we crossed the line, which was on the 13th of August, the winds were very light and variable but the weather generally fine. On the 26th August the S. E. Trades failed us, in 30 S. Latit(it)ude when we had strong winds from the N. of E. with showers of Rain. 4th Sept. pass the Island of Tristan De Cunha, after this whilst running to the Eastward. between 37 and 43 S. latitudes, the winds were from the westward veering about from the North to South, generally blowing strong with a good deal of rain. so that the Decks and Prisons were very often wet, but every means were taken to keep the later as dry as possible by means of Swabbs and Swing stoves, and no very bad consequences followed;  On the 29th July on getting into warm weather the Prisoners Jackets, shoes and stocking were taken from them, and stowed away in dry casks and again issued to them on the 26th August on getting into colder weather; 22nd August commenced issuing Wine to the Prisoners in the proportion of a gil To each which I calculated would last them till about the time of our reaching Van Diemens Land. The Morning of the 19th Oct. the Southworth anchored at Hobart Town, during the passage we lost by Death one Convict, and two of the Guards wives were safely delivered each of a Son, who were vaccinated with the matter sent on board, but without effect; (signed) Alex. Stewart /6/ Surgeon Superintendent Southworth C. S. Transcribed from the AJCP film as written. I have a copy of Surgeon Stewart's sick list which gives details of the illness or injury that the convicts and crew suffered on the voyage. If your ancestor was on the Southworth let me know the name and I will see if he was mentioned. Regards Jeff Arnold