Shipwreck

[Siouxsie]

Good morning,

I need help with where to post my question.

One of my husband's ancestors was a survivor of the Hibernia which set sail from Liverpool in 1832 for NSW. It burnt to the waterline and it's survivors were rescued and then taken to Rio de Janeiro. He then travelled to Hobart and on to NSW.

However, his wife and child died on board and I want to trace them. I have seen several accounts of the fire, and the list of survivors, but haven't seen a list of the victims.

Anyone have any clues as to where to start looking?

His name was Henry Gillett (sometimes misspelt as Gillis)  and he went on to remarry and was one of the pioneers of the Clarence Valley.

Cheers
Siouxsie

[cathyaus]

Hi Siouxsie
Have you checked the newspapers at the National Library ?
 The link below is using the search "Hibernia" then the decade of 1830's

http://newspapers.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/search?searchTerm=hibernia&textSearchScope=full&facet=decade:183
Cathy
(sorry if you have already searched the newspapers - but you never know)

[gortonboy]

Hibernia, full rigged ship, 430 tons, Captain Wm Brend, Liverpool 6 December 1832 for Hobart Town with immigrants, caught fire in mid Atlantic and abandoned, with loss of 154.


GILLET Henry (wife and child drowned);

from all accounts the survivors were picked up by boat....if his wife and child drowned,,maybe the bodies were never recovered??

[sparrett]

Hi Siouxsie
Do you mean you are wanting to "trace them backwards" because you don't know who she was or anything about her and the child?

Sue

[judb]

Hi Siouxsie

The Times, (London) Wednesday, Aug 07, 1833; pg. 3;

Article: Loss Of The Hibernia.

This article includes an extract of a despatch from the Consul in Rio to Lord Palmerston.
There is a list of the153 people lost. Unfortunately all it says for your family is:
"wife and child of Henry Gillett"
which doesn't help you much.  
The consul says he is enclosing a list of 'those who perished, with a desription of each individual'  I would guess that the National Archives UK might be a start to finding more?

Judith

If you would like more info on the actual article send me a PM

[Siouxsie]

Wow,
Just back from the shops to find multiple replies! Thank you.

I am after the name of Henry's wife and child, which I don't seem to be able to find any listing of (well so far that is ).

Thanks for the Archives lead.........any other suggestions before I plunge headlong into research?

Cheers
Siouxsie

[cathyaus]

Hi again Siouxsie
I found this in the newspaper from the nla.gov
The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser  Saturday 3 April 1880
"Death of an old Resident" - it talks about the Hibernia & Henry Gillett was accompanied by his wife & 2 children.......
Cathy

[cathyaus]

but   The Sydney Herald Thursday 4 July 1833 has a list of those that drowned & it lists Mrs Gillet & child.

[Siouxsie]

......ahhh the disparity of the children.........originally the family thought there were 2,  but reports vary between 1 and 2 children.

If I just got her name, then maybe I could move this research forward! 

Cheers
Sioxsie