HMS BUFFALO 1836

This 3 mast ship was built in 1813 in Calcutta and named HINDOSTAN.
This ship was purchased by Royal Navy that same year
as a storeship/timber carrier and renamed BUFFALO.

Departed Spithead, England on July 11th 1836,
Arrived Pt Lincoln December 24th and Holdfast Bay (now Glenelg) on December 28th 1836
Master: John Hindmarsh
(Governor of the new colony of South Australia)

HMS BUFFALO left South Australia on June 14th 1837 and prodeeded to New Zealand, and whilt there a boat's crew of twelve men with a midshipman in charge, was sent ashore. They were attacked by the natives, killed and eaten - the horrid wretches. The middy was young Field, the son of Lieutenant Field who commanded the BUFFALO.

Two years later, whilst at Mercury Bay, NZ to load kauri spars for England,
she parted from her cables during a gale and was driven ashore to become a total loss.
HMS BUFFALO 1836

TWO DIARIES
by Mr Young Bingham
HUTCHINSON

and another by
John W. Adams

Captain John Hindmarsh, the new Governor of South Australia, was accompanied by his wife and family, together with Mr Fisher (Colonial Commissioner), George Stevenson (the Governor's private secretary), Osmond Giles (the Colonial Treasurer), together with at least 270 passengers.

The Sunday before the arrival of the BUFFALO - she was anxiously looked for - Mr (afterwards Sir) G S Kingston was reading the church service to a small congregationj in his reed hut. Miss Thomas (later Mrs Mantegani) was there too, when someone shouted "the BUFFALO is in sight", whereupon first one then another rushed off to the beach, till all were gone. Mr Kingston flung down his book and followed suit.

The BUFFALO had been an old troop ship belonging to the Navy. She was broad and roomy.

The voyage on board HMS BUFFALO had its troubles. George Stevenson wrote in his journal "the Governor's mules, pigs, cow, geese, turkeys and dogs must have their full allowance of water, and, that they may not suffer, another pint of this was struck off our allowance this day in addition to the pint at Rio. It is impossible to repeat what is said in all quarters of such conduct. Everything is sacrificed to his own selfish purposes." According to some passengers the voyage was not a happy one. The ship was overcrowded. Hindmarsh's temper and his sense of priorities left a lot to be desired. He allowed his dogs free run of the ship, paid more attention to the watering of his poultry than his passengers and cared little about the effects of the stench of confined livestock upon female settlers. He also refused to unfurl the mainsail for a month lest his cow and mules suffered ill effects from the draught.

On landing Fisher denied Hindmarsh the use of the Commissioners' bullock wagon to cart his goods inland. Hindmarsh retaliated and denied Fisher the use of naval tarpaulins. Hindmarsh was heartily glad he had the strong support of George Stevenson, his secretary who became editor of the Colony's first newspaper.

Administration of this free colony was to be shared between the Colonial Office, represented by a Governor in the Colony (Captain John Hindmarsh), and a Board of Commissioners represented by a Resident Colonial Commissioner (Mr James Hurtle Fisher), a Colonial Secretary (Mr Robert Gouger), a Surveyor-General (Colonel William Light), an Emigration Agent (Mr. Brown) and other officials. On December 28th 1836 Hindmarsh was declared Governor of South Australia. Unfortunately a shortage of building materials meant he was denied lodgings in keeping with his position. It seems likely that he stayed on board the HMS Buffalo as many of the letters he wrote during 1837 were written from there.

OFFICERS
Captain John HINDMARSH
Hindmarsh was an inexperienced administrator, and was often a central figure in the disputes which plagued the early Colony.
Even in the naming of Adelaide's streets, Hindmarsh was in dispute. Intense lobbying followed
and the Governor's long list of 'naval hero' suggestions was reduced by more than half.
No-one was surprised when he was replaced eighteen months later on July 16th, by Governor Gawler.

          Master James WOOD
          Senior Master Jos CHEGWYN
          2nd Master James BOWLER
          2nd Master N C PHILLIPS
          Master's Assist Thomas Frederick CHEESMAN
          Surgeon James JACKSON
          Assist Surgeon Francis P PASCOE
          Clerk (Purser) William EALES 		PHOTOS of PIONEERS
who came to SA on board the BUFFALO.
CHITTLEBOROUGH, James
HUTCHINSON, Mr Young Bingham
MORRIS, Henry Thomas aged 13
STRANGWAYS, Mr Giles Edward
(Source: South Australian OBSERVER 1896)

--------------------------------------- PASSENGERS and CREW ---------------------------------------
HINDMARSH John - Officer, Captain
HINDMARSH Mrs - Governor's wife
HINDMARSH Miss Ann - Governor's Sister
HINDMARSH Miss Jane - Governor's daughter
HINDMARSH Miss Mary - Governor's daughter
HINDMARSH Miss Susan/Suzanne - Governor's daughter
HINDMARSH Mr John aged 16 - Governor's Son

ABBOTT/ABBOT Giles aged 30 Mason from Burton Latimer Nth Stone
ABBOTT/ABBOT Sarah nee BEWS aged 30 (wife of Giles)
ABBOTT/ABBOT Ann aged 10
ABBOTT/ABBOT Anna aged 8
ABBOTT/ABBOT John aged 5
ABBOTT/ABBOT Giles aged 1
ADAMS John William aged 29 Shoemaker from Buckland
ADAMS Susannah nee FABIAN 27
ADAMS Sarah aged 7
ADAMS John William jnr. aged 5
ADAMS James Joseph aged 3
ADAMS Thomas George aged 18 months
ADAMS Richard - Crew. Governor's Steward engaged 10 Jun 1836.
ALLEN Frederick William aged 23 Gardener from Regent Street
  (also listed as steward to Captain John Hindmarsh R.N.)
  His parents and siblings came to Adelaide on board the TAM O'SHANTER in 1836
ARCHBOLD/ARCHBALD Martha aged 24 House Servant
   from Landport, married Jonathan Bean on voyage July 28, 1836
ATKINS George
BACON Henry aged 19 Labourer from Glastonbury
BAMBER John - Crew
BARRON W(William?)
BEAN Cornelius aged 36 Pastry Cook from Brighton - Crew.
BEAN L aged 32 wife of Cornelius
BEAN Jonathan aged 21 Tailor from Frayneham Ssx
   married Martha Archbold on voyage July 28, 1836
BECK George - Crew
BENHAM Henry - Crew
BENNETTS James aged 36
   Cabinet Maker from St Levan
BENNETTS Mary (nee TREMBATH?) aged 31
BENNETTS John aged 12
BENNETTS James aged 9
BENNETTS Peggy aged 5
   born Penburthy/Penbertha, (later Mrs Levi LOVELOCK)
BENNETTS Marianne/Mary Ann aged 3 Months
   (later Mary Ann VALENTINE nee BURNETT/Bennet)
BLANDON Joseph - Marine
BLUNDEN/BLUNDELL, Miss Emily
BOWLER James - Officer 2nd Master
BRADDING James - omitted From Purser's List - Crew
BRAND George - Crew
BREAKER Isaac aged 30 Bootmaker from Purbrook Nr Portsmouth
BREAKER Jane Maria aged 29 (wife of Isaac)
BREAKER Isaac aged 12
BREAKER John James aged 7
BREAKER Henry William aged 5
BREAKER David aged 4
BREAKER Hannah aged 1
BROADBENT Luke aged 45 Labourer from Ashton On Lynne
BROADBENT Harriet aged 39 nee INMAN
BROADBENT Henry aged 11
BROADBENT James aged 9
BROADBENT John aged 7
BROADBENT Elijah aged 5
BROADBENT Elizabeth aged 2.5
BROADBENT Luke aged 6 Mth
BROWITT, Mr and wife
BROWN Thomas - Crew
BRYAN Hugh - omitted From Purser's List - Crew
BUDDEN Joseph - Crew
BULL Edward - Farm Labourer, embarked at St Helens
BUTT/BURT/BURTT Edward - Crew
BUTT/BURT/BURTT James - Crew
BUTT/BURT/BURTT William aged 25 Shepherd from Portchester
CAMP Robert - Crew
CANDY/CUNDY, James aged 19 Labourer from Glastonbury
CHANDLER Joseph - Marines
CHAPMAN John aged 25 Woodman from Orlingbury
CHAPMAN Samuel aged 22 Woodman from Orlingbury
CHARLES George - Crew
CHARTON James - Crew
CHEESMAN Thomas Frederick - Officer Master's Assist
CHEGWYN Jos - Officer Senior Master
CHITTLEBOROUGH James aged 50 Seaman
   from Canal View, Portsea
CHITTLEBOROUGH Mary/(Mary) nee COATS aged 51, (Charles?)
CHITTLEBOROUGH Maria Hutson aged 16 Staymaker
CHITTLEBOROUGH Elizabeth Loney aged 13
   (later Mrs Elizabeth LONGBOLD)
CHITTLEBOROUGH William aged 10
CHITTLEBOROUGH Sarah aged 6
CHITTLEBOROUGH James aged 3
CLARK Charles Thomas - Crew
COCK Robert aged 35 Carpenter from Dinn Fif
COCK Catherine aged 29 (wife of Robert)
COCK Elizabeth (Betsy) aged 12
COCK Christine aged 10
COCK Nancy aged 7
COCK Robert aged 7
COCK James aged 2
COCK Catherine aged 1
COLLETT John - Marine
COLLEY Henry - Crew
COULTHARD Jane aged 22 Milliner from Langholm
COULTHARD William aged 16 Farmer of Langholm
COX Richard - Crew
CROXALL Mrs Eve aged 45, and Mary (daughter)
CROXALL William aged 43 Gardener from Southsea
DALE Charles
DAVIS Joseph - Marines
DAVIS Samuel - Marines
DEVELLY William (seaman)
DOWSE William - Crew
DUCKETT, David -name provided by clerk's son but not elsewhere - Crew
EALES - William Jnr. - Clerk's Son - Crew
EALES William - Officer Clerk (Purser)
EDDEN/HADDEN, Richard, and wife
EDDEN/HADDEN, Thomas
FERGUSON George M - Crew
FERGUSON William aged 26 Farmer from Annan Dfs
FERGUSON Janet (Rosina) aged 24 nee FORSYTH,
   and daughter Isabella Maisie/May (born enroute)
FIELD Joseph - Crew
FIELDER Ann aged 16 House Servant from Southsea
FISH James - Marines
FISHER Mr James Hurtle aged 46 Resident Commissioner
FISHER Mrs Elizabeth nee JOHNSON
FISHER Jnr Mr James
FISHER Miss Elizabeth
FISHER Mr Charles Brown aged 17
FISHER William Dundas Under 15
FISHER Marianne/Marian/(Marion) Under 15
FISHER Frances Lucy Under 15
FISHER George Under 15
FISHER Hyrtle Under 15
FOSTER John - Crew
FOWLES John - Crew
FOWLES Joseph - Crew
FOX Robert aged 25 Woodman from Orlingbury
GILES W Henry aged 23 Labourer from Glastonbury
GILLES, Osmond Mr aged 48 Colonial Treasurer
   (the rest of his family arrived on Isabella 1837)
GOLDSMITH William - Crew
GORTON Mrs Margaret - mother of Mrs Margaret Stevenson
GRABB Richard - Ab Crew
GRABB Thomas - Ab Crew
GRAVES Henry - Marines
HALDRON William - Corporal Marines
HALL Joseph - Crew
HARVEY, John and wife (Jane ROBERTS nee LITTLE?)
HARVEY Harriet Ender aged 20 (widow), Dairy Woman,
   daughter Harriet 3 months old from Bryanstone Square,
HARVEY James aged 19 Waiter from Hungerford
HARVEY Richard
HENDERSON Agnes
HEWITT/HEWETT, Henry Grigg aged 21
   Foreman In Timbers from Portsea
HILL, William John, was a Surveyor by Trade
HILL Mrs Fidelia T S - Australia's 1st Poet
   (wife of Robert Keate HILL, 3rd Officer of Surveying Vessel RAPID)
HILL John - Crew
HOW/HOWE Robert - Sailor
HOWARD Rev. Charles Beaumont aged 29 Chaplain
HOWARD Mrs Grace Montgomery nee NEVILLE
HOWARD Barbara Isabella Mary Under 15
HOWARD Grace Montgomery Under 15
HOWITT William
HUGHES George - Crew
HUMBY Samuel - Crew
HUTCHINSON Mr Young Bingham aged 29 Land Proprietor
IRVIN, W
JACOBS Henry - Crew
JAMES Daniel Edward - Crew
JERRON William - Crew
JICKLING Mr Henry, Tutor to Fisher Children
JOHNSTON James - Crew
JONES George (Thomas Elias) - Crew
JOURDAN William - Crew
KENNEDY Alexander - Crew
KENNY/KENNA/HENNY/HENRY Catherine aged 23
   House Servant from Portsmouth
KENNY/KENNA/HENNY/HENRY James - Crew
KING Henry - Marines
KNIGHT James - Crew
LANGLEY Warwick aged 25 Shepherd from Orlingbury
LAVELL William - Crew
LEE Mr or Miss ?
LILLY, John
LINDSAY Mr Arthur Fydell, Land Proprietor
LOVEDER Richard - Crew
LUSH J W and wife and 3 child/ren
MACK Hugh - Crew
MALCOLM Mr William Land Proprietor
MARSHALL James - name provided by clerk's son but not elsewhere - Crew
MEECH Henry - Crew
MELVIN Thomas - name provided by clerk's son but not elsewhere - Crew
MERIDITH John - Crew
MIDDLETON Joseph aged 33 Labourer from Orlinbury
MIDDLETON Eliza/beth aged 30 nee BRADSHAW
MIDDLETON Thomas aged 10
MIDDLETON James aged 8
MIDDLETON Lucy aged 3.5
MIDDLETON William aged 1
MONK John Luke - Labourer
MOON Charles - Crew
MOORE William aged 29 Brickmaker from Farlington Nr Havant
MOORE Ann aged 28 (wife of William)
MOORE Jane aged 7
MORRIS Henry Thomas aged 13 - Governor HINDMARSH's nephew
MORRISON Charles Baker
MURPHY Thomas - Crew
MURRAY Mary Ann aged 21 Servant from Portsea
   married William Whittle on voyage 28 July 1836
NAPPER Joseph - Crew
NEILL William - Crew
NEILL William - Crew
NEVILLE Miss Susannah Jarvis - Mrs Howard's Sister
NEVILLE Richard
NICHOLSON Thomas aged 20 Shoemaker from Portsmouth
   married Mary Richards on the voyage 28 July 1836
NORRIS Mrs snr
NORRIS Thomas aged 31 Servant from Brewers Gardens
NORRIS Betty aged 30 (wife of Thomas)
OAKLEY Josiah 40 Labourer from Orlingbury
OAKLEY Sarah aged 28 nee PAGE
OAKLEY Mary (Above 15 - child of 1st wife)
OAKLEY Samuel (Above 15 - child of 1st wife)
OAKLEY Thomas (Above 15 - child of 1st wife)
OAKLEY William aged 12 (child of 1st wife)
OAKLEY Josiah 9 (child of 1st wife)
OAKLEY John Page 6 (child of 2nd wife)
OAKLEY James aged 4 (child of 2nd wife)
OAKLEY Elizabeth aged 9 Months (child of 2nd wife)
OLIVER Joseph - Crew
OLIVER William - name provided by clerk's son but not elsewhere - Crew
ORMSBY Mr George Owen - Surveying Dept
OTHAMS William
OXENHAM Eliza aged 20 Laundress from Portsea
OXENHAM Kate aged 18 Housemaid from Portsea
PAGE Mary aged 34 (nee WALKER?) Needlewoman from Orlingbury
PAIN Thomas - Marines
PAIN William - Crew
PALMER Thomas - Crew
PARSONS Jane aged 31 wife of William
PARSONS William aged 32 - Crew Anchor Smith from Landport
PASCOE Francis P - Officer Assistant Surgeon
PERRINGTON William - Crew
PHILLIPS N C - Officer 2nd Master
POTTS Francis aged 21 Tallow Chandler from Portsmouth
PROWSE Jacob aged 30 Labourer from St Leven
PROWSE Mrs Nancy nee TREMBATH aged 24
PURSETER Stephen - Crew
PYKE/PIKE, Mrs Mary aged 23
PYKE/PIKE, Richard aged 25 Baker from Portsmouth
RICHARDS/RITCHARDS P(hilip?) Land Proprietor from Morgan
RICHARDS/RITCHARDS Mary aged 21 Dressmaker from Portsea
   married Thomas Nicholson on voyage 28 Jul, 1836
RICHARDS/RITCHARDS Mary
RIX George - Crew
ROBERTS George aged 34 Sawyer from Purbrook
ROBERTS Mary Ann (wife of George)
ROBERTS Mary Ann aged 16 Housemaid from Purbrook
   daughter Of George Roberts
ROBERTS George aged 15 Labourer from Purbrook
   son of George Roberts
ROBERTS Mrs C aged 31
ROWLANDS John - Crew
RUDD James John
SANDERS William - Crew
SAVORY Henry B aged 30 Trilby Clerk from Little Town
SAVORY Mrs Eliza aged 24
SCHOLEFIELD
SEVAL William - Crew
SHINES/SHIRES/SHIEN Margaret aged 17 House Servant
   from Portsmouth
SINCE Charles - omitted From Purser's List but in Observer List - Crew
SLADDEN/SLADDON John aged 70 Agriculturalist
SLADDEN/SLADDON Mrs Jane aged 59
SLADDEN/SLADDON Isabella/Bella aged 28 Housemaid
   from Paddington - sister of Richard
SLADDEN/SLADDON Richard aged 26 Agriculturalist from Paddington
SLADDEN/SLADDON Mary aged 31 (wife of Richard)
SLADDEN/SLADDON Charlotte aged 1.5 (daughter of Richard)
SLADDEN/SLADDON Joseph aged 7 Wks (son of Richard)
STEBBING/STUBBING/STIBBING Mrs E T and 6 child/ren
STEBBING/STUBBING/STIBBING Thomas (Edward)/Edwin aged 21
   Wood Turner from Portsmouth
STEVENSON Mr George aged 37
   Private Secretary to The Governor & Clerk Of Councill
STEVENSON Mrs Margaret aged 29 formerly GORTON nee HUTTON
STOREY John - Crew member lost overboard on 16 Sep 1836
STOUT William - Crew
STRANGWAYS Mr Giles Edward - Land Proprietor
STRANGWAYS Mr Thomas Bewes aged 26 Land Proprietor
SULLIVAN Thomas - Crew
WALKER, William
WALKER Robert aged 35 from West Smithfield - Engineer
WALKER Anna Sophia nee BESSELL aged 25
WALKER Ann aged 2
WALKER Thomas aged 1
WALKER, Henry (later Henry Walker OWEN) born on voyage
WALKER, William
WELLS George aged 21 (Carpenter) and wife from Portsea
WELLS James, and wife and 1 child
WESTON Frederick and wife
WEYER Frederick - Crew
WHEATLEY Joseph aged 29 Labourer from Boarhunt Hamp.
WHEATLEY, Mary nee HAIGH and 1 child
WHEELER James and wife and 1 child WHEELER William - omitted From Purser's List
   but in Observer List - Crew
WHEELER, Mrs James and child
WHEYLEN Richard - name provided by clerk's son but not elsewhere - Crew
WHITTLE William aged 26 Bricklayer/Labourer from Portsea
   married Mary Ann Murray on voyage July 28 1836
WICKENS Thomas aged 33 Carpenter from Pimlico
WICKENS Mary aged 34 (wife of Thomas)
WILLIAMS John - Crew
WISE William and wife and 1 child
WOOD / WOODS James - Officer Master
WOOD / WOODS David - Crew WOOD / WOODS James jnr - Crew
WITHERS James aged 24 Sawyer from Portsea
WORLEY John - Crew
WYSE/WISE, William aged 21 Locksmith and Bellhanger from Portsmouth

We also understand South Australia's first Geologist, Johannes MENGE,
arrived in 1836 on the BUFFALO In Feb 1852 he led a party of Germans
overland to Mt Alexander. He died August that year.

Many of the women and children lived on board the vessels while the men built houses of reeds at Holdfast Bay (Glenelg) and then in the vicinity of Adelaide. Some who came out on the HSM BUFFALO set up temporary shelters in BUFFALO ROW on the north-western corner of the proposed city, others settled in FORBES SQUARE in the West Parklands, while others established COROMANDEL ROW a little to the east of BUFFALO ROW. These 'ship' settlements enabled friendships established on the voyage to continue.
CREW
Richard ADAMS omited from Purser's list
John BAMBER
Cornelius BEAN omited from Purser's list
George BECK
Henry BENHAM
James BRADDING omited from Purser's list
George BRAND
Thomas BROWN
Hugh BRYAN omited from Purser's list
Joseph BUDDEN
Edward BURT
James BUTT
Robert CAMP
George CHARLES
James CHARTON
Charles Thomas CLARK
Henry COLLEYS
Richard COX
William DOWSE
William DEVELLY
David DUCKETT name provided by Clerk's son but not elsewhere
William EALES Junior Clerk's son
George M FERGUSON
Joseph FIELD
John FOSTER
John FOWLES omited from Purser's list but in Observer list
Joseph FOWLES omited from Purser's list but in Observer list
William GOLDSMITH
Richard GRABB AB
Thomas GRABB AB
Joseph HALL died 30 Aug 1836
James HENNY
John HILL
George HUGHES
Samuel HUMBY
Henry JACOBS
Daniel Edward JAMES
William JERRON
 James JOHNSTON
George JONES
William JOURDAN name provided by Clerk's son but not elsewhere
Alexander KENNEDY
James KNIGHT
William LAVELL
Richard LOVEDER omited from Purser's list but in Observer list
Hugh MACK
James MARSHALL name provided by Clerk's son but not elsewhere
Henry MEECH
Thomas MELVIN name provided by Clerk's son but not elsewhere
John MERIDITH
Charles MOON
Thomas MURPHY
Joseph NAPPER
William NEILL (1)
William NEILL (2)
Joseph OLIVER
William OLIVER name provided by Clerk's son but not elsewhere
William PAIN
Thomas PALMER
William PARSONS
William PERRINGTON
Stephen PURSETER
George RIX
John ROWLANDS
William SANDERS
William SEVAL
Charles SINCE omited from Purser's list but in Observer list
John STOREY lost overboard 16 Sep 1836
William STOUT
Thomas SULLIVAN
Frederick WEYER
William WHEELER omited from Purser's list but in Observer list
Richard WHEYLEN name provided by Clerk's son but not elsewhere
John WILLIAMS
David WOOD
James WOOD Junior
John WORLEY
HMS Alligator arrived in Holdfast Bay, SA on July 10th 1838 to collect the recently recalled Governor Hindmarsh and the Marines from HMS Buffalo. They left on July 14th 1838, bound for Sydney and the Cobourg Peninsula. It is interesting to wonder how the Captain of the HMS Aligator, Captain Sir J. Gordon Bremer (KCH, CB) coped with the ex-Governor once they left South Australia.

The South Australian community were quite concerned when they learnt about the lack of military protection. 		MARINES
Joseph BLANDON
Joseph CHANDLER
John COLLETT
Joseph DAVIS
Samuel DAVIS
James FISH
James GARDNER
Henry GRAVES 		Corporal William HALDRON
Henry KING
Corporal Richard MEW
James MOUNTAIN
Thomas PAIN
Samuel W RESTORICK Robert SEAGER
Sergeant James STRUGNELL disrated 17 May 1837
John WADCOT
James WAY
Robert WESSON

SOURCES: http://www.users.on.net/proformat/buffpax.html
Purser's accounts [SASR A538/B8] - crew list
Colonial Office report by Hindmarsh [PRO CO3/4 pp135/45]
Return to SA SHIPS 1836-1840