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Title Surgeon’s Diary of John Hanchett on the Ship Henry
Author Hanchett, John Justinian
Date 12 Mar-7 Nov 1838
Document Type Personal Account
Reference D_2001-003
Library / Archive Maritime Museum of Tasmania
Description Surgeon's journal describing the voyage from England to Launceston, Tasmania. Includes details of treatments performed on the sick, the weather, discipline on board, shooting parties, duelling and injuries sustained during the voyage. Diary also includes lists of clients, dispensary notes and injuries treated and a prescription list from London, 1838.
Biographical Note / History The author of this diary was 20 year old John Justinian Hanchett, who sailed to Launceston in 1838 as surgeon on the ship, Henry. Family lore suggests it was a decision hastily made after fighting a duel over a girl in Paris. The vessel brought a general cargo, 17 cabin passengers and three female servants. Newspapers of the day generally listed only cabin passengers in their 'Arrivals' column so there may have been unlisted steerage migrants on board as well. Her captain also advertised cabin and steerage accommodation 'of a first rate description' for the return journey. Hanchett sailed as surgeon on the Henry's return voyage to England but returned to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) as a migrant.
Theme(s) Journey Conditions; Arrivals: Ports and Early Experiences
Country (from) Great Britain
Country (to) Australia
Places Cape of Good Hope, South Africa; Van Diemen's Land, Tasmania
Ports London, England; Launceston, Tasmania
Ships Henry; Lotus; Thomas Laurie; Albatross; Africane; Bolina
People Hanchett, John Justinian
Keywords shipping, medicine, medical staff, surgeon, sickness, injury, immigrant, emigration, sailor, bad weather, hot weather, animals, duelling, dentistry, food, whaling
Additional Information Includes a transcript of the diary.
Language English
Copyright Maritime Museum of Tasmania