Item 1 - Diary of voyage to Australia, 26th May - 13th September 1829

W.G. Broughton boarded the John Transport on Tuesday, 26 May, 1829 with his wife, two children and two servants. On board the ship there were 185 males, 30 soldiers, and a crew of 32 men and boys and 1 surgeon. Details the ship's position, speed and progress. On 28 May, the ship passed North Foreland and he records that the islands of Madeira and Palma were sighted in June. By 14 June, it was expected that the N.E. trade winds would he reached and on 16 June the Tropic of Cancer was crossed. On 2 July the Gulf of New Guinea was entered and the Tropic of Capricorn was crossed on 16 July. On 2 September Bass Strait was reached and the South Cape of Van Diemen's Land was sighted on 6 September. Jervis Bay was sighted on 12 September and later the same day, Port Jackson was sighted. On 13 September, 1829 the ship entered the Heads of Port Jackson. Whilst on board he records his reflections, thoughts and reminiscences. Remarks on the inexperience of the crew and the idleness of the soldiers. Reports on his intervention when a convict, John Hunt, is sentenced to be kept in handcuffs and receive 3 dozen lashes for striking an officer. Expresses his wish to show the prisoners that he has an interest in their welfare. Each Sunday he performs Divine Service on the quarterdeck with the prisoners and guards assembled. Gives a detailed analysis of Harris' History of Charles I and often quotes passages and analyses various books he is reading. In doing so, he examines such issues as a minister's duty towards "heathens" and the "personal deportment of a Bishop". Writes of the death of one of the crew and describes the funeral service. Reports on a school on board the ship established by Rev. Peter Fenn (Broughton questions whether he is a clergyman as he was convicted of forgery) for the convict boys. Reflects on the pain of seeing a respectable man such as Fenn reduced to the status of a convict. Describes in detail the sounds and sights on board a convict ship.