Whaling

As early as 1803 Captain Isaac Pendleton in the brig Union used Kangaroo Island as a base for his operations. He wintered there for four months and his men built the schooner Independence from island timber. Kangaroo Island was only one of the places where men were left to gather seal skins and salt. Months later the ship would return to bring provisions and collect the results of their work. Whaling ships arrived from America, France, Van Diemens Land (Tasmania) and Sydney. By the 1830s the whalers Socrates, Henry and Elizabeth were regular visitors from Hobart.

Enthusiatic reports of profits to be made encouraged the South Australian Company to send its ships carrying South Australia's first colonists early, as the Company was anxious to join the whaling industry. After leaving their pioneer passengers on Kangaroo Island the Duke of York and Lady Mary Pelham went on to Hobart Town to refit as whalers in the Pacific. Two other SA Company emigrant ships, the South Australian and Solway, also became involved with whaling until they were wrecked at Encounter Bay in a December 1837 gale. The first was a store ship for the whaling station, the second was to have taken on casks of oil for export. The John Pirie was refloated after she ran aground in the same storm. She made several trips bringing whaling hands from Hobart to Encounter Bay.

The whale being sought was the black or bay whale, more commonly known as the right whale. It was a slow swimmer, came in close to shore and it floated when dead. Thus it was an easy target for shore-based whalers. Whale oil was used in lamps, soap and leather making. The plates in the mouths of toothless whales to strain plankton and krill from the water are known as baleen or whalebone. Baleen was used in corset stays, hoop skirts and umbrellas. The bones of whales, as distinct from "whalebone", could be used to produce boneash for porcelain. There is a report that one ship took off whale bones for export, but it appears that the bones were usually discarded.

The Register newspaper proudly announced in November 1838 that the colony's second cargo of oil and whalebone was bound for England in the Goshawk. The Katherine Stewart Forbes and Lalla Rookh were two more ships that were involved in exporting the whale products to England. The oil and whalebone from a good whale could yield £500-600.

While some whaling activities were from deep-sea ships with the try-works for boiling down on board, others were shore based. Generally the whaling ships sought the faster sperm whales and the shore-based stations harvested the bay whales. In 1840 as Edward John Eyre passed Fowlers Bay he noted that the bay was littered with whale bones and carcasses after a successful season by an American whaler. A report by Hart, Hagen & Baker noted thirty foreign whaling ships in SA waters in 1841. The season lasted from April to October when the whales sought warmer waters for calving. Having spent the summer in the Antarctic, the whales swam along the shore of Van Diemen's Land reaching Portland Bay in April. As the season progressed, they continued along the coast to Cape Leeuwin in Western Australia, returning south in October.

Over 15 whaling sites have been identified on the shores of South Australia. Some were depots or lookouts. Others were occupied for many years. Remains of huts, hearths, slipways, try-pots, whale bones and small objects such as clay pipes and glass bottles mark these sites. The SA Company set up whaling stations on Thistle Island and Sleaford Bay near Port Lincoln. But with the scarcity of whales, they soon closed. The station at Fishery Bay near Cape Jervis lasted until 1855 with several different owners. Other sites were at Cape Buffon (South East), Onkaparinga, Hog Bay (Kangaroo Island), Port Collinson and Sceale Bay (both near Streaky Bay) and Spalding Cove (near Port Lincoln). The whaling ships visited Port Lincoln at the beginning and end of the season to take in fresh food, water and wood. The SA newspaper Observer reported five ships had called into Port Lincoln in September 1841.

The most well-known shore-based stations were at Encounter Bay, where two whaling stations were set up in 1837. Captain Blenkinsop's was at first on the mainland and later based on Granite Island. The SA Company managed by Samuel Stephens was located at Rosetta Head (the Bluff). Blenkinsop's suggestion to work co-operatively, as occurred in Tasmania, was rebuffed by Stephens. As a result, when a whale was sighted, boats from both stations set out in pursuit and raced to intercept the animal.

To resolve the conflicts Parliament passed an Act for the Regulation and Protection of the Whale Fisheries in September 1839. The whale belonged to the party whose harpoon first struck the whale. If the line broke and a second harpoon was struck, the whale became joint property. The Act also specified the provisions to be supplied to the men - 12 lbs of beef or 9 lbs of pork, 12 lbs of bread or flour, 4 ozs tea and 2 lb of sugar per week. The lack of vegetables was compensated by the owners supplying two gallons of tea or half a pint of strong rum per day. Some reports indicate that the men had little to do between whale chases but "eat, drink and sleep, play cards, sing and make a noise".

A lookout kept watch from high ground. When a whale was sighted, the whalers would race to the boats which were already stocked with harpoons, lines and fresh water. The cook handed over waterproof bags containing beef and damper because the chase could last many hours. Three boats set out following directions flagged by the lookout. In each boat were the headsman in charge of the long steering oar, the harpooner (also known as the boatsteerer) in the bow and four pulling hands.

Once they were close enough the whale was struck by a hand-thrown harpoon which was attached to the boat by a long line. Then it was just a matter of waiting until the whale tired while towing the boat perhaps many miles. After the harpoon was thrown, the headsman changed places with the harpooner who took over steering the boat. This seemingly clumsy exchange of places between the bow and stern of the boat is documented in several contemporary accounts. Even Herman Melville who sailed for three years on a whaler mentions the same change-over in his novel Moby Dick.

The headsman readied himself for the final blow with his lance. Once the whale was dead, the men had the long row back to shore towing the huge animal, often taking several hours. On return the thick layer of blubber was stripped from the whale. This process was overseen by the tonguer, who received the tongue oil as payment. In the try-works the blubber was boiled down in a series of large cauldrons to extract the valuable whale oil. This often took up to three days. The residue of blubber was used to supplement wood as fuel, causing black oily smoke and a vile stench. The oil was stored in casks until collected by ship.

About thirty men were employed at each station. Besides the headsmen, boatsteerers and pulling hands operating in each boat, there was a cook, a cooper to make the casks and perhaps a steward and bullock driver. Often a boat builder was employed. Each man received a pre-agreed share (a lay) of the value of the whale oil and whalebone, depending on his rank and skill. In the off-season the whalers went up-country to help on farms, shearing sheep, fencing, sawing and helping with the harvest.

The competition from whaling ships was resented by the shore-based men. The locals were indignant that the foreign ships with their more modern and faster boats could come in and take the whales from their bay. In 1840 four French and American whalers were working off-shore. The following year thirty ships were reported working between Kangaroo Island and Cape Leeuwin. Some of these were from Van Diemen's Land.

Whaling was not without danger as a dying whale could cause serious injury or death. The newspapers reported a number of accidents when the infuriated animals smashed the boats. Men were drowned, others suffered broken legs - at least one whaler had a wooden leg. In June 1844 the Observer reported an accident in Encounter Bay when four boats got into difficulties while fast to whales. The infuriated whales smashed one boat and damaged the others. Steersman Montgomery struck his head, Jack Beddow fractured his leg and headsman Foster who could not swim was drowned. In the disturbance one of the whales managed to escape. On another occasion two boats were fast to two different whales, when a third whale struck and destroyed one of the boats. Storms also caused havoc. At the end of the 1844 season Captain Haynes, his headsman George McGeehan and crew were sailing from Kangaroo Island to Port Adelaide when a gale blew up. They were never seen again. Their boat the Sophia Jane was found washed up at Rivoli Bay.

An Act to Regulate the Whale Fishery Service in South Australia was passed in 1844. This included a requirement that the owner or employer publish the names of the men engaged to serve for the whaling season and their capacity (occupation). These names are listed at the end of this article. In March 1844 J T Haynes and James Wilde & John Howard published the names of men these two owners had engaged for the season and had paid an advance of wages. Yet some of these names appear the following month listed under the owner John Hart & Jacob Hagen. I do not know why. The names are presented as published in the gazettes.

By 1855 shore-based whaling was abandoned. In 1837 forty whales had been seen at one time off Glenelg. Twenty years later the number of whales was too few due to over fishing. Also the discovery of petroleum products in the 1860s meant that whale oil was no longer such a cheap fuel. Some whaling ships still cruised the seas between Kangaroo Island and Cape Northumberland. An attempt was made to revive the industry at Encounter Bay in 1871-72 with boats manned by local aborigines. Although several whales were made fast, they were lost due to various mishaps. At the end of the second season only one whale had been caught. Alexander Ewen who had served as pulling hand and boatsteerer in the earlier years was the chief headsman for this final event.

Despite the dangers and hard work involved in whaling, many men survived. Some purchased farms or took up land-based occupations, married and raised families. James Long arrived in the earliest days of the colony and worked on the Sarah and Elizabeth until he joined the SA Company at Encounter Bay. Henry Lush arrived in 1838 as a boy. In his reminiscences he said he did not engage in whaling until 1850.

One commentator stated that the whaling men were a "low type, mostly old convicts and the refuse of society". Yet these so-called refuse are some of our ancestors. They took part in dangerous and dirty tasks to provide highly valued products. The whalers gave the fledgling colony a valuable foundation.

This list records each whaler's name, occupation, employer and the year. As partnerships formed, merged and dissolved, the names of the owners/employers changed. The key to these is listed at the end.

ADAMS Thomas, pulling hand (1844 Hagen), boatsteerer (1845 Hagen)
ALARA Thomas, pulling hand (1850 Bennett)
ALLEN George, pulling hand (1844 Wilde)
ANDERSON George, (1850 Bennett)
ANDERSON Robert, pulling hand (1844 Hagen)
BABINGTON William, pulling hand (1844 Hagen)
BAILEY George, pulling hand (1851 Bennett)
BAILEY John, pulling hand (1848 Hagen)
BAKER John, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
BALK / BAULK Richard, pulling hand (1844 Hagen, 1845 Wilde, 1851 Bennett)
BALL William, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
BAMFORD Benjamin, pulling hand (1847 Wilde)
BANFORD William, pulling hand (1848 Barnett)
BARNES Henry, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
BARNES Peter, carpenter (1844 Haynes)
BARRETT Charles, pulling hand (1845 Wilde)
BARRY John, pulling hand (1845 Wilde)
BARTON John, chief headsman (1845 Hagen), headsman (1846 Hagen, 1848, 1849 Barnett, 1850 Bennett)
BATCHELOR Robert, pulling hand (1850 Bennett)
BAYER Charles, boatsteerer (1850 Barnett)
BEALY James, (1850 Bennett)
BEAR / BEARE Charles, boatsteerer (1845 Hagen, 1848, 1849 Barnett, 1851 Bennett)
BEDDOW John, pulling hand (1844 Wilde)
BEECH Thomas W, pulling hand (1844 Hagen)
BENNETT George, boatsteerer (1844 Hagen, 1845 Wilde)
BENNETT Samuel, pulling hand (1844 Hagen)
BENNETT Thomas, pulling hand (1844 Hagen)
BENTLEY James, pulling hand (1845, 1846 Hagen)
BERRIE John, pulling hand (1847 Hagen)
BERTON Charles, pulling hand (1844 Haynes)
BERTON William, pulling hand (1844 Haynes)
BEST William, headsman (1845 Hagen)
BINKS George, pulling hand (1851 Bennett)
BIRD William, boatsteerer (1845 Wilde)
BISHOP Alexander, boatsteerer (1846 Hagen)
BISSEL William, pulling hand (1848 Hagen)
BOYD Phillip, boatsteerer (1847 Hagen)
BOYLE Philip, pulling hand (1845 Wilde)
BOYLE Phillip / Philip, boatsteerer (1846 Wilde, 1846 Hagen)
BRADBROOK Richard, pulling hand (1845 Wilde)
BRADLEY Thomas, pulling hand (1850 Bennett)
BRADY Thomas, headsman (1846, 1847, 1848 Hagen, 1850, 1851 Bennett)
BRENTON Jasper, pulling hand (1848 Hagen)
BROOKS Henry, pulling hand (1844, 1845, 1846 Hagen)
BROSON William, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
BROWN George, headsman (1848 Hagen)
BROWN James, (1850 Bennett)
BROWNING John, pulling hand (1847, 1848 Hagen)
BRYANT William, boatsteerer (1848 Hagen), headsman (1850 Bennett)
BUCK William, pulling hand (1844 Haynes, 1845 Hagen, 1851 Bennett)
BUDD William, boatsteerer (1845 Wilde)
BURBANKS John, pulling hand (1848 Hagen)
BURNS William, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
BURNS / BURNES James, pulling hand (1844 Hagen)
BUXTON William, tonguer (1845 Hagen)
CALLAN Charles, pulling hand (1848, 1849, 1850 Barnett)
CAMPBELL Peter, pulling hand (1848 Hagen)
CARR Nicholas, pulling hand (1844 Haynes, 1844 Hagen)
CARRISON John, pulling hand (1844 Wilde)
CARROLL John, pulling hand (1846 Hagen)
CARTER John, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
CASSIDY Michael, pulling hand (1851 Bennett)
CASSIDY Samuel, pulling hand (1844 Haynes)
CASTLES James, pulling hand (1851 Bennett)
CHANDLER George, carpenter (1849, 1850 Barnett)
CHAPMAN John, pulling hand (1844 Wilde, 1845 Hagen)
CHAPMAN William, pulling hand (1844 Wilde, 1844, 1845 Hagen), boatsteerer (1845 Hagen)
CHESTERMAN Josiah / Joseph, pulling hand (1845, 1847 Hagen, 1848, 1849 Barnett)
CLARK John, headsman (1844, 1845, 1846, 1847 Wilde, 1851 Bennett), pulling hand (1849 Barnett), tonguer (1851 Bennett)
CLARK Joseph, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
CLARK Thomas, headsman (1846 Hagen, 1847 Wilde, 1848, 1849 Barnett, 1851 Bennett)
CLARKE Isaac, boatsteerer (1844 Hagen)
CLARKE John, cook (1847 Hagen)
CLIFFORD William, pulling hand (1845 Wilde)
COCHRANE Ralph, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
COFFIN Thomas, pulling hand (1844, 1845 Hagen)
COKELY / COUGHLEY Peter, headsman (1844, 1845 Hagen)
COLE William, (1850 Bennett)
CONDON John, pulling hand (1844 Wilde)
COOK Charles, cook (1844 Haynes)
COOK Edward, pulling hand (1844 Haynes)
COOPER Henry, pulling hand (1850 Barnett)
COTTON William, pulling hand (1844 Hagen)
COULSON Robert, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
COVE William, pulling hand (1844 Hagen)
COWAN Edward, pulling hand (1851 Bennett)
CRAIG Alexander, pulling hand (1847 Hagen)
CRAMPTON John, cooper (1844 Haynes)
CRAWFORD Neil, pulling hand (1844, 1845 Wilde)
CREAMER Edward, pulling hand (1848 Hagen)
CRITCHAN William, pulling hand (1850 Bennett)
CUMMINS George, pulling hand (1844 Haynes)
CURTIS Henry, pulling hand (1844 Hagen)
CUTTER Thomas, pulling hand (1846 Wilde), boatsteerer (1848 Barnett)
DANN Nicholas, pulling hand (1847 Hagen)
DAULBY Henry, pulling hand (1848 Hagen), boatsteerer (1850 Barnett)
DAVIS James, pulling hand (1844 Wilde)
DAVIS Robert, pulling hand (1846 Hagen)
DEACON John, pulling hand (1844 Hagen)
DEERN Matthew, pulling hand (1844 Haynes)
DIXON Alfred, pulling hand (1845 Wilde, 1846 Hagen)
DONOVAN Francis, pulling hand (1844 Hagen)
DOYLE John, boatsteerer (1844, 1845 Hagen)
DRYSDALE John, pulling hand (1844, 1845 Hagen)
DUNLOP Robert, pulling hand (1846 Hagen)
EASTMAN Benjamin, pulling hand (1844 Hagen)
EASTWOOD William, pulling hand (1844, 1845 Wilde)
EATON James, pulling hand (1844 Wilde, 1845 Hagen)
EATON Rueben, pulling hand (1848 Hagen)
ELLERY Richard, pulling hand (1848 Hagen)
ELLETSON John, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
ELLIOTT Henry, pulling hand (1844 Haynes)
ELPHICK G, steward (1844 Hagen)
ENTWISLE Thomas, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
EUSTACE Joseph, pulling hand (1844, 1845, 1846 Wilde, 1848, 1849 Barnett), boatsteerer (1850, 1851 Bennett)
EWEN Alexander, pulling hand (1844, 1845 Hagen), boatsteerer (1847, 1848 Hagen, 1850, 1851 Bennett)
FAGAN James, pulling hand (1846 Hagen)
FARDON William, pulling hand (1844 Wilde)
FARRELL Peter, pulling hand (1844 Haynes, 1844 Hagen, 1845, 1846 Wilde)
FERGUSON Charles, pulling hand (1844, 1845 Wilde)
FERGUSON / FIRGUSON George, pulling hand (1845 Hagen, 1846 Wilde)
FERMOY (German), pulling hand (1850 Bennett)
FISHER William, cook & steward (1848 Barnett)
FITZGERALD Thomas, boatsteerer (1844 Wilde)
FLYNN William, pulling hand (1844 Hagen)
FORSTER / FOSTER John, tonguer (1844, 1845 Hagen)
FOSTER John, headsman (1844 Wilde), tonguer (1846, 1847 Wilde)
FOSTER / FOSTER Thomas, pulling hand (1844, 1845 Hagen)
FREEMAN Samuel, pulling hand (1844 Hagen)
FRENCH J, cook & steward (1850 Bennett)
GALE Henry, pulling hand (1847 Hagen)
GALLE Louis, cook (1846 Hagen)
GANDEW Edward, pulling hand (1846 Hagen)
GARNEY William, pulling hand (1847 Wilde)
GARRETT William, pulling hand (1844 Haynes)
GARWOOD George, pulling hand (1844, 1845 Hagen)
GAUDELL Edward, pulling hand (1847 Wilde)
GENONI Antonio, pulling hand (1844, 1845 Hagen)
GERMAIN / GERMAN Samuel, boatsteerer (1844, 1845 Hagen, 1847 Wilde)
GERMANE William, pulling hand (1850 Bennett)
GIBSON Thomas, headsman (1844 Hagen)
GIBSON William, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
GILLIS David, pulling hand (1848 Barnett)
GILMORE Alexander, boatsteerer (1844 Wilde, 1844 Hagen)
GLASS Peter, pulling hand (1850 Barnett)
GODERICH William, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
GOLDEN Alexander, pulling hand (1846 Hagen)
GOLLAN Alexander, pulling hand (1847, 1848 Hagen)
GOODAY William, pulling hand (1847 Wilde)
GOODIE William, pulling hand (1848 Barnett)
GOODWIN Thomas, pulling hand (1847 Hagen, 1849 Barnett)
GORDON Daniel, steward (1849 Barnett)
GRAHAM John, boatsteerer (1844 Wilde), headsman (1845 Hagen)
GRAY William, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
GREAR George, (1850 Bennett)
GREEN Louis, pulling hand (1844 Hagen)
GRIFFIN James, pulling hand (1851 Bennett)
GRIGSON William, pulling hand (1844 Wilde)
GWYNNE James, pulling hand (1848 Hagen)
HABBARD George, boatsteerer (1847 Wilde)
HALL Isaac, pulling hand (1844, 1845 Wilde)
HANSON George, pulling hand (1846 Hagen)
HARKU Edward, pulling hand (1848 Barnett)
HARPER Charles, pulling hand (1848 Barnett)
HARRIS John, boatsteerer (1848, 1849 Barnett, 1850 Bennett)
HARRISON George, pulling hand (1846 Hagen)
HARRISON John, headsman (1844 Haynes), cook (1847 Hagen)
HAWKER Edward, pulling hand (1844 Wilde, 1845 Hagen)
HENDERSON William, pulling hand (1845, 1846 Hagen)
HENRY George, pulling hand (1844, 1845 Hagen)
HEWETT Charles, pulling hand (1844 Wilde)
HIGGINS John, pulling hand (1846 Hagen)
HILDEBRAND Gustav, cooper (1845 Wilde)
HITCHINS John, pulling hand (1845 Wilde)
HOGINS George, pulling hand (1845, 1846 Wilde)
HOLMS John, cook (1848 Hagen)
HOPKINS John, pulling hand (1849 Barnett)
HORNE Stephen, pulling hand (1844 Wilde, 1845 Hagen)
HOWARD James, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
HOWARD John, pulling hand (1846 Hagen)
HUBBARD George, headsman (1844 Haynes), boatsteerer (1848 Barnett), tonguer (1849 Barnett), headsman (1850 Barnett, 1851 Bennett)
HUBBARD James, boatsteerer (1844 Haynes)
HUDSON James, boatsteerer (1844 Hagen)
HUGHES Richard, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
HUGHES William, cook (1844 Wilde)
HULME William, cook & steward (1845 Hagen)
HUNNIMEN / HONEYMAN William, boatsteerer (1844 Hagen), boatsteerer (1845 Wilde)
HUTCHISON Gilbert, headsman (1844 Wilde)
HYDE John, pulling hand (1844 Hagen)
HYDE Morris, pulling hand (1848 Hagen)
HYDE Phillip, boatbuilder (1844 Wilde, 1846 Hagen), carpenter (1845, 1847 Hagen)
JAMES William, pulling hand (1847 Wilde)
JAMIESON James, pulling hand (1847 Hagen)
JELLETT Thomas, pulling hand (1844 Wilde)
JENKINS William R, pulling hand (1844 Wilde)
JOHNSON Francis, pulling hand (1844 Hagen, 1845 Wilde, 1851 Bennett), cook (1848 Barnett)
JOHNSON / JONSON Thomas, boatsteerer (1844 Wilde), pulling hand (1846 Hagen, 1851 Bennett)
JONES Edward, pulling hand (1844, 1845, 1847 Hagen, 1848 Barnett, 1850 Bennett), tonguer (1847 Hagen)
JONES John, headsman (1844 Hagen, 1845, 1846, 1847 Wilde, 1848 Barnett)
JONES Richard, pulling hand (1846 Hagen)
JONES Thomas, pulling hand (1844 Wilde)
JONES William, pulling hand (1850 Barnett)
JORDAN Henry, boatsteerer (1845 Hagen)
JOSEPH / JOSEPHS Joseph, pulling hand (1844 Haynes, 1845 Hagen)
JOYCE Miles, pulling hand (1845 Wilde)
KEMP Richard, boatbuilder (1851 Bennett)
KIDD Thomas, pulling hand (1844 Haynes)
KIERBIIE Christopher, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
KING George, pulling hand (1844 Wilde)
KING William, pulling hand (1844, 1845 Wilde, 1844 Hagen)
KINGSELL Richard, pulling hand (1844 Wilde)
KNOCK Philip, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
LAVINGTON William, pulling hand (1844, 1845 Hagen)
LEAKE Thomas, pulling hand (1845 Wilde)
LEWIS William, pulling hand (1847 Hagen)
LLOYD Charles, pulling hand (1844, 1847 Hagen), tonguer's mate (1845 Hagen)
LLOYD Henry, pulling hand (1846 Hagen)
LODDING Henrich, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
LONE Miles, pulling hand (1845 Wilde)
LONG James, headsman (1844 Hagen, 1846 Wilde, 1847 Hagen, 1848, 1849 Barnett, 1850 Bennett), chief headsman (1845 Hagen, 1851 Bennett)
LORD William, boatsteerer (1844, 1846, 1847 Wilde, 1844, 1845, 1847, 1848 Hagen, 1851 Bennett), pulling hand (1846 Hagen)
LOVELL George, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
LOWDEN John, pulling hand (1851 Bennett)
LOWE George, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
LOWE John, pulling hand (1846 Hagen)
MacKENZIE John, pulling hand (1851 Bennett)
MACKEY Frank, pulling hand (1846 Hagen)
MACLAINE John, pulling hand (1849 Barnett)
MacNAMARD John, pulling hand (1844 Haynes)
MARCHANT James, pulling hand (1850, 1851 Bennett)
MARNEY William, pulling hand (1845 Wilde)
MARSDEN John, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
MARSH William, pulling hand (1844 Hagen)
MASON Samuel, pulling hand (1844 Hagen)
MAXFIELD Thomas, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
McCREADY / McREADY Thomas, boatsteerer (1846 Hagen, 1847 Wilde)
McGEE / McGHIE Arthur, pulling hand (1847 Hagen, 1848, 1849 Barnett)
McGEE / McGHIE Francis, pulling hand (1846 Wilde, 1848 Barnett)
McGEEHAN George, headsman (1844 Haynes)
McGRATH Thomas, pulling hand (1844, 1845 Hagen)
McKENZIE James, pulling hand (1847 Hagen)
McLARREN Felix, pulling hand (1844 Hagen)
McLAUGHLIN / McLOUGHLIN / McLOCHLAN / McLAUGHLAN Daniel, pulling hand (1847 Wilde, 1848, 1849 Barnett, 1850, 1851 Bennett)
McLAW Daniel, boatsteerer (1845 Hagen)
McLEAN Daniel, pulling hand (1848 Barnett), tonguer (1849 Barnett)
McLEAN John, pulling hand (1845, 1846 Wilde, 1847 Hagen, 1850 Bennett)
McMAHON James, pulling hand (1845 Wilde)
McNAMARA George, pulling hand (1848 Barnett)
McPHERSON Angas, pulling hand (1846 Hagen)
MICIR Francis, pulling hand (1849 Barnett)
MILES James, boatsteerer (1845 Hagen)
MILLER / MILLAR Charles, pulling hand (1844 Haynes, 1846 Hagen)
MONROE John, pulling hand (1844, 1845 Hagen, 1848 Barnett)
MONTGOMERY William, boatsteerer (1844 Wilde)
MOONEY James, pulling hand (1845, 1847 Wilde)
MOONEY Michael, pulling hand (1844 Haynes)
MOORE John, steward (1851 Bennett)
MOORE William, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
MOORING Thomas, cook (1851 Bennett)
MORAN Thomas, pulling hand (1849 Barnett, 1850 Bennett)
MORGAN William, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
MORRIS Charles, cook & steward (1850 Barnett)
MUNROE Henry, pulling hand (1848 Barnett)
MURFIELD / MUSFIELD George, pulling hand (1844 Wilde), boatsteerer (1844, 1845 Hagen)
MURPHY John, cooper (1844, 1845, 1848 Hagen, 1847 Wilde, 1850 Bennett)
MURRAY William, pulling hand (1845 Hagen, 1846 Wilde, 1848 Barnett, 1851 Bennett)
NASH William, pulling hand (1844 Hagen)
NEILSON / NELSON William, cooper (1844 Wilde, 1847 Hagen, 1848, 1849 Barnett, 1851 Bennett)
NICHOLLS Thomas, pulling hand (1844 Hagen), steward (1845 Hagen)
NOWLAN / NOWLAND William, William, headsman (1844 Wilde, 1844, 1845 Hagen), pulling hand (1850 Bennett)
OAKLEY John, pulling hand (1849 Barnett)
OLIFF William, pulling hand (1846 Hagen)
OWEN Thomas, pulling hand (1850, 1851 Bennett)
PAGET Edward, (1850 Bennett)
PALMER J C, pulling hand (1844 Hagen)
PANNETT John, pulling hand (1846 Hagen)
PARKER George, pulling hand (1848 Barnett)
PARKER James, pulling hand (1844 Wilde), boatsteerer (1844 Haynes)
PARSONS Frederick, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
PAULL Thomas, alias BULWELL Paul, headsman (1844, 1845, 1846, 1847 Wilde, 1844 Hagen)
PAXTON Benjamin, pulling hand (1848 Hagen)
PAXTON William, alias Tom Thumb, pulling hand (1850 Barnett)
PAYNE Samuel, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
PETITT Thomas, pulling hand (1848 Barnett)
PETTMAN John, pulling hand (1844, 1845 Hagen)
PHILLIPS Edward, pulling hand (1845 Wilde)
PICKERING Joseph, pulling hand (1844 Wilde)
PICKITT Thomas, pulling hand (1844 Haynes)
PILLINGER George, boatsteerer (1845 Wilde), headsman (1846 Hagen), pulling hand (1851 Bennett)
POLLOCK Lewis, cook & steward (1845 Hagen)
POTTER Peter, pulling hand (1845 Wilde)
POTTER Richard, pulling hand (1846 Hagen)
POWELL George, pulling hand (1844, 1846 Hagen)
PRATT Samuel, pulling hand (1846 Wilde)
PRICE John, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
PRICE William, pulling hand (1848 Barnett)
PRITCHARD Thomas, pulling hand (1844 Haynes, 1845 Hagen)
PROUT William, pulling hand (1844 Hagen, 1846 Wilde)
PUGH William, pulling hand (1844 Hagen)
PURCELL John, cook (1844 Haynes)
PURTEN George, pulling hand (1850 Bennett)
PURVIS Robert, cook & steward (1850 Barnett)
PYMBLE James, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
QUIGLEY James, pulling hand (1844, 1847 Hagen, 1845 Wilde, 1850, 1851 Bennett)
QUINN James, pulling hand (1845, 1846 Hagen)
RANDALL William, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
RANDELL Richard, pulling hand (1844 Hagen)
REEVES John, pulling hand (1851 Bennett)
REIMERS Johan, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
RESS John, pulling hand (1846 Hagen)
REVILL John, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
REYNOLDS Thomas, pulling hand (1844 Wilde)
RICHARDS Mark, pulling hand (1844, 1845 Hagen)
RICHARDSON William, boatsteerer (1845 Hagen), pulling hand (1850 Bennett)
RICHEY James, pulling hand (1850 Bennett)
RICHMOND Henry, pulling hand (1848 Barnett)
RILEY J, tonguer (1846 Hagen)
RILEY James, boatsteerer (1844 Hagen), tonguer (1845 Wilde)
RITCHIE George, pulling hand (1844, 1845 Hagen)
ROBEON John, headsman (1848 Hagen)
ROBERTS Robert, pulling hand (1844, 1845 Wilde)
ROBERTSON Henry, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
RODNEY George, pulling hand (1851 Bennett)
ROGERS Henry, headsman (1845 Hagen)
ROGERS John, pulling hand (1844 Hagen, 1845 Wilde)
ROSE David, pulling hand (1844 Hagen)
ROUSE John, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
ROYSTON William, bullock driver (1847, 1848 Hagen), pulling hand (1849 Barnett, 1850 Bennett)
RYAN Michael, pulling hand (1847 Wilde)
SAMPSON James, (1850 Bennett)
SAMSON / SANSOM James, pulling hand (1849, 1850 Barnett)
SCANDRETT Richard N, pulling hand (1844 Haynes)
SCOTT Frederick, pulling hand (1845, 1846 Hagen)
SCOTT George, pulling hand (1851 Bennett)
SCULLY Roger, pulling hand (1844, 1847 Wilde)
SEOFT John, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
SHAUGHNESSY John, pulling hand (1844 Hagen)
SHAW John, headsman (1844, 1845 Hagen), headsman (1850 Barnett), tonguer (1851 Bennett)
SHMUSER Andreas, pulling hand (1845 Wilde), pulling hand & cooper (1846 Wilde)
SHUTTLEWORTH Robert, pulling hand (1851 Bennett)
SIMINS Samuel, pulling hand (1844 Hagen)
SIMPSON George, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
SIMPSON John, pulling hand (1844 Hagen)
SINCLAIR William, pulling hand (1846 Hagen)
SKELTON William, pulling hand (1844, 1846 Wilde, 1848 Barnett)
SMITH Charles, pulling hand (1844 Haynes)
SMITH Grieve, headsman (1844 Hagen)
SMITH John, pulling hand (1844, 1845, 1847, 1848 Hagen, 1845 Wilde), boatsteerer (1846 Hagen)
SMITH Joshua, pulling hand (1845 Wilde)
SMITH Nathan, pulling hand & carpenter (1845 Hagen)
SMITH Thomas, pulling hand (1846 Hagen)
SMITH William, pulling hand (1845, 1846 Hagen)
SOLOMON George, pulling hand (1846 Hagen)
SOLOMON George, Jnr, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
SOLOMON Thomas, pulling hand (1844, 1846, 1847 Wilde, 1845, 1848 Hagen)
SOSHT Martinus, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
SOULLY Roger, pulling hand (1847 Hagen)
SPENCE John, pulling hand (1851 Bennett)
SPENCER James, (1850 Bennett)
SPENCER Thomas, (1850 Bennett)
SPURLING Thomas, pulling hand (1845 Hagen), boatsteerer (1846 Wilde), headsman (1847 Hagen)
STANLEY Henry, pulling hand (1844, 1847 Wilde, 1845 Hagen)
STANLEY John, pulling hand (1848, 1849, 1850 Barnett, 1851 Bennett)
STEADMAN David, pulling hand (1844, 1845 Hagen)
STEWART John, pulling hand (1844 Hagen)
STORRIE William, pulling hand (1847 Hagen)
STUTTEN William, pulling hand (1846 Hagen)
SULLIVAN Eugene, pulling hand (1847 Hagen)
SULLIVAN John, pulling hand (1848 Barnett)
TAYLOR Henry, boatsteerer (1844 Wilde), tonguer (1845 Hagen), pulling hand (1849 Barnett), boatsteerer (1850 Barnett)
TERVEY George, pulling hand (1847 Hagen)
THOM John, pulling hand (1846 Hagen)
THOMAS John, pulling hand (1845, 1846 Hagen)
THOMAS William, pulling hand (1848 Hagen, 1849 Barnett, 1850 Bennett), boatsteerer (1851 Bennett)
THOMMANY James, pulling hand (1851 Bennett)
THOMPSON John, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
THOMPSON William, pulling hand (1844 Wilde), headsman (1845 Hagen)
THOMSON William, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
TOLLISON Frederick, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
TREBILCOCK Pritehard, pulling hand (1848 Hagen)
TULLEY David, pulling hand (1847 Wilde)
TURNER Robert, pulling hand (1844 Hagen)
TURNNRIDGE John, tonguer (1844 Haynes)
URE Alex, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
URQUHART Hugh, steward (1844, 1845 Wilde)
VARDON / VARDEN William, pulling hand (1845 Wilde, 1846 Hagen)
WALKER William, headsman (1844 Hagen)
WARD Henry, pulling hand (1845 Hagen, 1846 Wilde)
WARD James, pulling hand (1844 Hagen)
WARD Thomas, pulling hand (1847 Hagen, 1850 Bennett)
WARNER George, tonguer (1844, 1845 Wilde, 1848 Barnett)
WARTHINGTON Henry, pulling hand (1848 Hagen)
WATSON John, pulling hand (1844 Haynes)
WATTS William, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
WEBB William, pulling hand (1851 Bennett)
WEDGER William, pulling hand (1844, 1845 Hagen)
WENTWORTH Robert, pulling hand (1849 Barnett)
WHITBREAD George, pulling hand (1844, 1845 Hagen)
WHITE William, pulling hand (1847, 1848 Hagen)
WILDING Robert, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
WILKINS William, tonguer & carpenter (1844 Hagen)
WILLIAMS Henry, pulling hand (1844 Hagen)
WILLIAMS James, pulling hand (1850 Barnett, 1851 Bennett)
WILLIAMS John, pulling hand (1846 Hagen, 1847 Wilde, 1848, 1849 Barnett, 1850, 1851 Bennett)
WILLIAMS Robert, pulling hand (1845 Wilde)
WILLIAMS William, pulling hand (1845 Hagen)
WILLOUGHBY John, pulling hand (1844 Hagen)
WILSON John, pulling hand (1844, 1845 Wilde, 1844 Hagen)
WILSON William, pulling hand (1844 Hagen)
WOOD George, pulling hand (1845 Hagen), tonguer (1850 Barnett)
WOODRUFFE James, pulling hand (1846 Hagen)
WOODS Walter, pulling hand (1844 Hagen)
WRIGHT James, pulling hand (1851 Bennett)
WYMAN / WIMAN William, pulling hand (1844 Wilde, 1845 Hagen)
YOUNG James, pulling hand (1845, 1848 Hagen)