G J Curgenven
Contact by email

Mariners Ticket
 
George James Curgenven was born on 19 Oct 1837. Baptism Certificate >>
 
He received his Mariners Ticket on 25 May 1852 at the age of 14yrs 7mts.
 
Mariners Ticket
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Enlarge >>

3rd Mates Certificate
 
George James Curgenven became a 3rd Mate on 3 Sep 1858.
 
3rd Mates Certificate
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Enlarge >>

Discharge Papers
 
G.J. Curgenven signed on the Morayshire as 3rd Mate on 4 Oct 1855 in London for a voyage to Australia. He was discharged after 34 Months 16 Days on 20 Aug 1859 in London at the age of 22. Signed G. Mathers. Master.
 
Discharge Papers
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Enlarge >>

The Morayshire
 
  The Morayshire was built in Sunderland in 1835 for Duncan Dumbar. 316 tons. Burthen 833 tons (Weight to be carried). RN 45. Rig WB.
  She was used as an emigrant ship to Australia. (It was sold to Masson & Co London in 1838, not acording to G J Curgenven)
 
Painting of the ship Morayshire

 
 
 
 
 
 
Enlarge >>

Mutiny on the Bounty.
 
  In 1788, The HMS Bounty arrived in Tahiti after a hard 10 months at sea. Captain Bligh allowed the crew to stay on shore and it was not surprising that most wanted to remain. Some had even got married.
  The Bounty left Tahiti on 4th. April 1789 and 24 days later, 18 men joined Christian in the mutiny. Captain Bligh and 18 men wer put into an open boat and they made an epic 47 day journey to Timor.
  Mutiny on the Bounty has been made into several films. For further information use this link or use the Net.
More info >>

The removal of the descendants of the Mutiny on the Bounty
 
  George James Curgenven was an Officer on the Ship Morayshire which took the descendants of the Mutiny on the Bounty from the Pitcairn Island to the Norfolk Island in 1856. Pitcairn Journey >>
 

  George wrote an account of his journey from Sydney to Pitcairn via Norfolk then back to Norfolk. His account was a type draft submitted to Cassell Co Ltd in 1910. It includes the pencil sketches.
Letter to Cassell >>
 

  The Cornwall Chronicle carried an article about a meeting of the Royal Geographical Society at which the removal of the Pitcairn Islanders was discussed.
Cutting >>

Morayshire's Journey
 
  The Morayshire arrived in Sydney on 22 Jan 1856 and left for Norfolk Island on 2 Feb. GJC. was 3rd Mate.
  The Morayshire took 23 days to sail the 1000 miles to Norfolk Island @46 miles/day to drop off stores.
  She then took 35 days to sail the 5500 miles around the south of New Zeland to Pitcairn Island @160 m/day.
  The journey with the Pitcairn Islanders took 34 days to sail 3500 miles back to Norfolk Island @106 miles/day. (Cutty Sark's best was 360m/d)
  The Morayshire then left for Hobart Town, Tasmania, arriving 28 July. 1400 miles of heavy weather in 32 days (44 m/d).
Newspaper Cutting >>
 
  She arrived back in Sydney on 12 Aug 1856. From the second love letter to George it appears that the Morayshire whent back to Norfolk Island in October. There are no other records of the Morayshire arriving in Sydney for the next 3 years.
 
Map of the Morayshire's journey
 
 
 
 
Large Map >>

Sketches from Pitcairn
 
John Adam's Grave
John Adam's House
John Adam's Mallet
John Adam's Dish
Bounty Bay
Surf Boat