Stag, log book
Convict ship, Henry Nelson CLARKE, Master.
CLARKE took charge of the ship on 30 December 1854, preparing it for fitting out for convicts.
4 January 1855 - the ship outside was painted.
Between 4 and 15 January, over 70 tons of water, 50 tons of ordinance stores, ships stores, convict stores, 52 bags of bread, stores for guards and variants other articles were loaded onto the ship.
19 January - the guards were received. One sergeant major, 12 rank and file, 2 warders with their wives and 5 children. The warder’s names were RICH and WOODRON.
The following day another warder, wife and 2 children joined the ship.
Prisoners Robert PRIES from Millbank and Levin COLEMAN from Pentonville arrived.
21 January - received 24 prisoners from the Warrior hulk, and 24 prisoners from the Defence hulk. The ship sailed to Gravesend, then via the Nore to Portsmouth where 60 prisoners boarded on 25 January.
26 January - James WOODRON, an infant, died and was committed to the deep.
27 January - 85 prisoners and one warder were received from Portland prison.
30 January - a seaman J ATKINSON, who had been ill for some time died. 6 Pensioners and 2 wives joined the ship.
1 February - one sergeant, 11 rank and file, 20 women and 30 children joined the ship, being the remainder of the pensioner guard.
3 February - ready to sail for Western Australia.
Victuals included, tea, chocolate, flour, beef, pork, sugar, lemon juice, mustard, bread, peas, raisins, biscuits, rum, medicinal comforts (port and wine), and soap. 2 bags of bread were broached each day.
Prisoners spent the day on deck when weather permitted.
22 February - small pox found among the convicts.
6 March - It was found that the chain locker had been forced and prisoners had cut through into the After Hold. The Captain noted that the stores missing were not worth mentioning. The following day, cross irons were placed on several prisoners implicated in the occurrence.
11 March - 4 prisoners, 3 women and 3 children sick.
12 March - Harry BEASLEY, an infant of 10 months, died.
19 March - John BATTY, a prisoner, sentenced to 48 lashes for striking a man whilst undressing the previous night, and taking his clothes. Mr GULPIN, the 2nd officer, refused to punish BATTY when ordered by the Surgeon Superintendent.
20 March - One woman sick with small pox. She was a bit better by the 25th.
4 April - Thomas GOODMAN, seaman died of consumption.
7 April - Passed between Inaccessible and Nightingale Islands [near Tristan da Cunha]. The following day, James GERRALD, aged 3 years old, died.
14 April - Received a written order from the Surgeon to put into Simon’s Bay for water and refreshments.
17 April - At anchor.
18 April - A child sick with measles and ship places in strict quarantine. Several children had measles during April.
19 April - Requested 50 tons of water, fresh meat, vegetables, bread and potatoes.
23 April - Sailed
30 April - Patrick McDONELL, 2 months old, died.
1 May - Sarah Ann DENMAN, 10 months, died.
2 May - Fanny RICH, wife of a warder, gave birth.
12 May - Off St Paul’s Island  [middle of Indian Ocean]
24 May - Government Pilot, Henry GOSS, boarded the ship off Fremantle.
Captain CLARKE described the event that unfolded after Pilot Goss boarded the Stag in the log book.

Unfinished Voyages: Western Australia Shipwrecks, 1851-1880 by Graham and Kandy-Jane Henderson, summarises the event:

As the Stag was being brought in, under the charge of Pilot Goss, strong winds were blowing and the vessel grounded on Success Bank. Captain Clarke then ‘took’ charge out of the Pilot’s hands, he evidently not being a fit person to have charge of a ship containing so many lives.
The Harbour Master set off to render assistance and the Resident Magistrate at Fremantle, seeing that the Stage continued to signal for help, sent off several cargo boats to try and reach the vessel. The signals still continued, so George Clifton of the Water Police, Captain Bennett, master of the Eglinton, and Pilot Back, also set out. Arriving on board, they found that the Harbour Master had turned back, and refused to come to her assistance, saying that no boat could live in such a sea. The Stag was striking so heavily that the surgeon superintendent on board decided to land the prisoners and pensioners with their wives and families. All were safely into the boats when, at about 11 p.m., the ship floated off with the increasing tide and was conducted into Owens Anchorage by Pilot Back. The Stag suffered no major damage and sailed to India on 28 June.
[FHWA: 994.1 HEN]

Journey of the convict ship "Stag" from Deptford to W.A, Dec. 30, 1854-May 29, 1855, H.N. Clarke, Master. A copy of the log book and a photocopy are available to be viewed in the State Library.

Notes by Marcia Watson