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DIGITIZED BY PETER KILLACKEY
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THE BUSHRANGERS - EARLY ESCAPES |
One of the earliest attempts at escape from the island of which we have any record, is that of the seizure of the "Young Lachlan," in 1819. Sixteen prisoners rushed to the vessel as she lay in the River Derwent. The sails were unfurled, and the town was past. Not wishing to carry off the seamen, they were landed at Bruni Island. Making to the northward, they rounded New Holland, landed at Java, and burnt the ship. Repairing to the Dutch settlement at Java, they told of a shipwreck. Some incongruities appearing in their story, and their looks not savouring of the Peri style, they were committed to prison. Eleven found a grave in that frightful climate. The remaining five were forwarded to Hobart Town, and re-consigned to the chain-gang. It was not until 1827 that an escape from a penal settlement was made a capital offence.
A London pugilist had some strange adventures in Colonel Sorrell's time. Transported to Van Diemen's Land, he received many overtures to head a party of bushrangers. His gigantic size and enormous strength marked him out as a leader of some daring enterprise; but being more peaceably disposed than some of lesser stature, and not finding the companyin the fair island quite to his liking, he relinquished the proffered honour. His predilictions were more for the fancy of London, than roughing the bush of Van Diemen's Land, with the prospect of a halter at the termination of his ramble. A snug opportunity occured for visiting Old England; he snatched at the prize. His well-known features were not long concealed from the runners of Bow-street, and again was the long voyage undertaken to the island of the south.
The love of liberty prompted another trial. He once more appeared among the old scenes of London life. However clever in escaping, he was not sufficiently shrewd or prudent in avoiding those artful dodgers of the police office. Discovered in his retreat, he was recommitted to the deep on board a felon ship in 1820. The authorities of Hobart Town looked better after him than before, or he became reconciled to the gum trees, as history gives no account of a third escape or third capture.
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