On October 20, 1852, the barque “Duke of Richmond” sailed from Birkenhead, England bound for Portland Bay, Victoria, Australia. Among the 236 passengers on board were two couples, each from different parts of England and one with small children. They were my great, great, great grandparents James and Susan Harman and William and Margaret Diwell. William and Margaret, from Kent had two daughters under five. Another daughter had passed away before the journey. James and Susan were from Cambridgeshire and been married only two months.
After around 140 days, Captain Thomas Barclay sailed the “Duke of Richmond” into Portland Bay on March 4, 1853. The Portland Herald reported on March 11, 1853, that Captain Barclay and Dr Webbers, the Surgeon Superintendent, had attempted to make sure all immigrants were comfortable and happy in an almost competitive way. However the voyage was also reported as arduous with much illness and over 20 deaths. Measles claimed many of those that died.
The Diwell family disembarked and stayed in Portland for another five years before moving to the Casterton area. William was a bricklayer and left the ship on his own account. James Harman was to be engaged by a Mr Robertson of Port Fairy for six months with wages of £50.
It is doubtful the two families came together again until 1945 when my grandparents, William Gamble and Linda Hadden were married in Hamilton.
I have done some extra research on the other passengers aboard the “Duke of Richmond“. A number moved to the Byaduk area. Some of the family names include Clarke, Everett, Gibbons, Looker, McIntyre, Merry, Patman and Spong. There were several families from Cambridgeshire. If anyone had family on the “Duke of Richmond“, it would be great to hear from you.
A full list of the passengers can be seen at the Public Record of Victoria (PROV) Index to Assisted British Immigrants 1839-1871.
June 22nd, 2012 at 3:45 pm
I am directly related to the Cornford’s that sailed on the same ship. They were born in Warbleton Sussex. I just wonder how they travelled to Birkenhead near Liverpool to sail on this vessel?
August 26th, 2012 at 7:08 pm
HiI am descended from the Diwell family from Sussex on my mother’s side and the Spong family from Surry on my father’s side. Guess we are related,I come from Harriett Diwell and Francis Coulson
August 30th, 2012 at 3:13 pm
Hi Marilyn, thank you for your comment.
I like the Coulson family. If you have read my post I wish I were related to Christopher Coulson you will realise that. We are definitely related as Harriet is my ggg aunt. It is also good to find another descendant of “Duke of Richmond” passengers.
Merron