South Australian packet ships...

The poster announces the forthcoming departures, of emigrant ships from London and Liverpool giving the tonnage of the ships and their captains. Also provided is general information regarding a steam boat service linking Scottish and Irish ports with the ships if required.

Posters such as these advertising shipping departures are rare survivors. This copy's survival was made possible in part because the notice had been used for letters written by the shipping agents James and William Waddell. These letters were written to the Reverend Sockett and appear to be about immigrants from Sockett's village. Additional 'bills' were enclosed with the letter which contained information on further sailings of emigrant ships. James Waddell also asks for some riding silks to be made for the rider in a local race.

William Waddell in a further letter reports to Sockett on the sailing of the Pestonjee Bomanjee from Plymouth: all of the people were in good health. He enclosed the freight note for the additional luggage of one of the party and for the dock dues. Pestonjee Bomanjee arrived in South Australia 12 October 1838. Governor Gawler was a cabin passenger.

The Rajasthan was a three masted ship rig of 601 tons, 126 by 29 by 22.7 feet in dimension and was built in Bombay in 1837. It actually sailed from London 26 July 1838 (not 1 July as the poster announced) and arrived in South Australia in late December, with 254 passengers.

Prince George was built in Bristol in 1830 and was another ship rigged vessel, somewhat smaller than Rajasthan at 482 tons and 118 feet long and with a beam of 30 feet. It departed from The Downs 12 September and arrived in South Australia 6 December 1838.

The voyage of the Susan is not recorded in Migrant ships for South Australia 1836-1860.

Ship rigged vessels had two or more masts 'all with square sails usually rigged across the width of the hull.'

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