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Research in Other Countries => Australia => Topic started by: paulsplace2009 on Wednesday 06 September 17 00:18 BST (UK)
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Hello
I have just discovered my great grandfather was a deserter from H.M.S Karrakatta in Newcastle, New South Wales, when he was 16 years old in 1897.
I know it's a bit of a long shot.. but wondering why he would have deserted his ship and what would have been the punishment for this?
Thanks
Paul
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I have ancestors who reportedly 'jumped ship', to stay in Australia.
I suppose punishment would depend on whether they were pursued and found, or not.
Would you like to share his name?
Jamjar
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and story if known. Sounds like an interesting tale.
Jack
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H
Maybe Typhoid Fever http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/231800588?searchTerm=Karrakatta%20newcastle&searchLimits=l-decade=189|||l-year=1897
Muss
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Is this him?
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3661039?searchTerm=%22H.M.S%20Karrakatta%22&searchLimits=exactPhrase=H.M.S+Karrakatta|||anyWords|||notWords|||requestHandler|||dateFrom=1897-01-01|||dateTo|||sortby=dateAsc
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Seems HMS Karrakatta had some ‘issues’ among its crew.
NSW Police Gazette 1897, here's two entries that may be of interest.
:) page 256, 21 July 1897.
Deserters from Her Majesty’s Service
From H.M.S. Karrakatta at Sydney on 16th July 1897
Thomas Coan, stoker, born at Sligo, Ireland, 21 years of age, 5 feet 8 inches high, gray eyes, brown hair, fair complexion.
John W Harrison, stoker, born in Yorkshire, England, 27 years of age, 5 ft 31/2 inches high, grey eyes, light hair, fresh complexion, L.O. and I.H. on left forearm.
A reward of £3 will be paid for the apprehension of each of the abovenamed deserters if apprehended within two years.
The above reward is in addition to a reward of £5 offered by the New South Wales Government.
:) Page 288, 18 August 1897
Deserters from Her Majesty’s Service
From H.M.S. Karrakatta at Brisbane On 9th August 1897
John William Harrison, stoker, born in Scarborough, Yorkshire, England, about 27 years of age, 5 feet 31/2 inches high, light hair, grey eyes, fresh complexion, LO and IW tattooed on left fore-arm.
A reward of £3 will be paid for the apprehension of the abovenamed deserter.
JM
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Hi everyone
Thanks for all the replies....
Sorry, I should have out his name here.
He was Archibald McVicar Kerr
Thanks
Paul
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Did you get the information from his UK Naval record?
Jamjar
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From my resource - South Australian Police Gazette 3 Nov 1897 Page 176.
His naval record states Karrakatta 28 May 1897 to 20 Sep 1897 Character VG Discharge etc R. Newcastle 20 Sep 1897. Nothing to indicate he deserted.
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These articles gives some indication of penalties applied for desertion
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/135373149
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3105603
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Maritime Carnival at Newcastle
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article238445820
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article238441089
The Daily Telegraph, Sydney 21 Sep 1897
THE WARSHIPS.
H.M.S. Karrakatta, which went to Newcastle for the centenary celebrations, returned yesterday
afternoon, and was moored in Woolloomooloo Bay.
Cando
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Is this your chap or another with the same name?
Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954)
Tue 19 Sep 1899
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/135375042
Newcastle Police Court
Desertion.
For having deserted the British-registered ship Largo Bay, James M'Corkindale and Archibald Kerr were each sentenced to 48 hours gaol.
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Victoria Police Gazette. Oct 6, 1897. pg 339.
DESERTERS FROM H.M. SERVICE.
Archibald McVicar Kerr deserted from HMS Karrakatta at Newcastle NSW on 20th ult.
Description:-Scotch, 16 years of age, 5 feet 1/2 inch high, brown hair, blue eyes, fresh complextion. 0.8378. 2 October 1897.
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John I attached the notice from the Vic Police Gazette which was published in the SA Police Gazette in Reply#8.
Cando
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From my resource - South Australian Police Gazette 3 Nov 1897 Page 176.
His naval record states Karrakatta 28 May 1897 to 20 Sep 1897 Character VG Discharge etc R. Newcastle 20 Sep 1897. Nothing to indicate he deserted.
If I have it right, the abbreviation R means run - that is, deserted.
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Thank you Graham. Thought it odd that no detail was on his service record. Learn something everyday on rootschat ;D
Cando
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Hi Everyone
Thanks a million for all of this..
Yes, that is my Archibald Kerr..
I assumed he deserted as the Victoria Newspaper listed him under "deserters from H.M service"
Really appreciate all this information... What a find!
Paul