12/10/1865 - 31/12/1865

Ship Summary

Journey

Origin

Depart Date

Wednesday, October 11, 1865

Destination

Arrive Date

Saturday, December 30, 1865

Media

PassengersView Full List

Sources

Comment

My great-great grandparents, James and Mary Ann Goleby were passengers on this journey. With them were their four small sons: Frederick, Arthur James, George Leonard and Charles Henry. George Leonard would eventually marry one of the other passengers, Harriet Fulcher. Mary Ann's sister, Esther Welton, was also a passenger with her husband, William, and daughter Adelaide (or Adeline) Dorothy. The little girl did not survive the journey. Thomas and Elizabeth Pratt were also on board with four children. One of those children, Walter Tom Pratt, would later marry Mary Ann's half-sister, Rachel Kemp. There are often many links between passengers: - family, friendship, work, place of origin, etc. I am writing a book about the passengers of the "Great Victoria". The ship left the East India Dock, London on 5 October 1865, stopping at Gravesend and Plymouth, prior to leaving on Thursday 12 October. It was taken into Moreton Bay by the pilot boat on 1 January 1866. Most of the passengers were taken to Brisbane by the steamers "Kate" and "Platypus" on Wednesday 3 January 1866. Quite a few children, and two adults died on the journey. The passenger list has not survived, but many documents from the journey have - financial accounts, letters, petitions and reports - which can be found with the Queensland Colonial Secretary's Correspondence for 1866, held at the Queensland State Archives. A shipboard diary of the journey, written by Alexander Duncan, was published in the Cardiff Times in Wales in on 27 July 1866 and 10 August 1866. This diary can be found on the "Welsh Newspapers Online" web site.

I read with interest your story of the Golebys' journey to Moreton Bay. My husbands great-grandfather was Robert Fulcher (senior) who was on the ship with your ancestors in 1865 -1866. So Harriet was my husband's great aunt. I can't wait for your book to be published, please let me know when and where I can purchase one. Thanks

My great, great Uncle Edward Lewis & family were also on 1865/6 voyage. Their daughter Margaret, aged 21 mths died at sea. Fortunately he wrote to his sister Sophia before they sailed & the letter was discovered a few years ago in England. It had been passed from Sophia to a Daughter & found by another Great granddaughter. Sophia was looking for news of Edward in 1895-found in Trove. The family lived in Wallsend, NSW where he died in1907. I'm also waiting for Lee's book to be published. I'm still looking for descendants of this Lewis Family & trying to fill in the gaps. Glad I found this site!

My 2nd great uncle Michael MAY (b1831), his wife Maria b1826 (nee Rundle), daughter Mary Ann Rundle May b1854, son William Samuel May b1856 all emigrated to Australia on board this tragic voyage. The Vigilantes Report in the Qld Archives has an article written by Michael May. I have a copy of this report. Many died from the measles. I am pleased to say that all four of them survivied the voyage and settled in the Toowoomba area.

My great uncle George Blunt (b1811), his wife Emily Agnes (nee Heady) and children George Albert, Emily Agnes and Ellen Louisa were also aboard the Great Victoria for that voyage. Edred Heady Blunt (my great grandfather), George and Emily's first son, came out on the Parsee to Moreton Bay arriving 9 February 1857. From then it seems most of the extended Blunt family emigrated settling in Ipswich, Brisbane, Charters Tower and Toowoomba. Please let me know when your book is available.

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