Ships Marines HMS Sirius 1787 to 1790

Ship marines were integral to the operation and security of the vessels. They were tasked with maintaining order, enforcing discipline, and safeguarding the ship from external threats. Their role was primarily confined to the maritime setting, ensuring the smooth execution of naval duties during the voyage. Once the ships reached their destination, ship marines often continued their naval responsibilities or transitioned to support the fleet’s logistical needs including the garrison Marines.

Many researchers fail to verify the different status of between the garrison marines and ship marines. By failing to separate their roles, the nuanced and multifaceted nature of marine involvement in the First Fleet narrative is lost. This not only diminishes the historical accuracy but also overlooks the individual stories and experiences that shaped the Colony’s early years.

To rectify these historical inaccuracies, and dispel myths surrounding marine arrivals and roles, greater emphasis must be placed on rigorous research and verification using primary sources, such as ship manifests e.g. HMS Sirius ship’s Musters 1787 to 1790; which also records the discharge of ships marines.

Ships Marines HMS Sirius 1787 to 1790: TNA-ADM36-10978

1. William Dawes: embarked 24 Feb 1787 2nd Lieutenant Adjutant 11th Portsmouth Division, lent 25 Nov 1787 to HMAT Supply, returned to Sirius 27 Jan 1788, dismissed 23 May 1788, discharged 5 June 1788 Port Jackson Head Quarters
2. William Proctor: embarked 24 Feb 1787 Serjeant 5th Portsmouth Division, discharged 12 Mar 1791 Port Jackson Head Quarters.
3.  John Gowen: embarked 24 Feb 1787 Corporal 47th Portsmouth Division, lent 1 Oct 1788 Norfolk island, discharged 12 Mar 1791 Port Jackson Head Quarters. See Culprits on Norfolk Island: Golden Grove Ebook
4. Charles Reynolds: embarked 24 Feb 1787 Drummer 63th Portsmouth Division, discharged 12 Mar 1791 Port Jackson Head Quarters
5. Joseph Taylor: embarked 24 Feb 1787 Private 2nd Portsmouth Division, dismissed 11 May 1787 Haslar Hospital (before the voyage to NSW)
6. George Flemming: embarked 24 Feb 1787 Private 5th Portsmouth Division, discharged 2 Jul 1788 Port Jackson Head Quarters
7. William Standley:  embarked 24 Feb 1787 Private 5th Portsmouth Division, discharged 21 Jun 1789 Port Jackson Head Quarters
8. Charles Herritage: embarked 24 Feb 1787 Private 5th Portsmouth Division, lent 14 Feb 1788 per Supply to the intended Settlement Norfolk Island, discharged 7 Mar 1791 a settler on Norfolk Island
9. John Williamson: embarked 24 Feb 1787 Private 8th Portsmouth Division, lent 1 Oct 1788 Norfolk Island, discharged 12 Mar 1791 Port Jackson Head Quarters. See Culprits on Norfolk Island: Golden Grove Ebook
10. Thomas Dukes: 24 Feb 1787 Private 14th Portsmouth Division, lent 1 Oct 1788 Norfolk Island, discharged 12 Mar 1791 Port Jackson Head Quarters. See Culprits on Norfolk Island: Golden Grove Ebook
11. Samuel Wigfall: embarked 24 Feb 1787 Private 17th Portsmouth Division, lent 1 Oct 1788 Norfolk Island, discharged 12 Mar 1791 Port Jackson Head Quarters. See Culprits on Norfolk Island: Golden Grove Ebook
12. James Williams: embarked 24 Feb 1787 Private 23rd Portsmouth Division, lent 1 Oct 1788 Norfolk Island, discharged 12 Mar 1791 Port Jackson Head Quarters. See Culprits on Norfolk Island: Golden Grove Ebook
13. Isaac Tarr: embarked 24 Feb 1787 Private 26th Portsmouth Division, discharged 2 Jul 1788 Port Jackson Head Quarters
14. James Angell: embarked 24 Feb 1787 Private 26th Portsmouth Division, discharged 2 Jul 1788 Port Jackson Head Quarters. See People, Soldiers and Victualling Book of the Kitty Transport era from Norfolk Island 1793
15. William Tonks: embarked 24 Feb 1787 Private 26th Portsmouth Division, discharged 5 Jun 1789 Port Jackson Head Quarters. See People, Soldiers and Victualling Book of the Kitty Transport era from Norfolk Island 1793
16. John Assell: embarked 24 Feb 1787 Private 29th Portsmouth Division, discharged 5 Jun 1789 Port Jackson Head Quarters
17. Thomas Garwin: embarked 24 Feb 1787 Private 32nd Portsmouth Division, discharged 21 Jun 1789 Port Jackson Head Quarters
18. John Bates: embarked 24 Feb 1787 Private 47th Portsmouth Division, died 5 July 1790 drowned Port Jackson
19. Samuel King: 24 Feb 1787 Private 50 Portsmouth Division, lent 1 Oct 1788 Norfolk Island, discharged 7 Mar 1791 a settler on Norfolk Island. See Culprits on Norfolk Island: Golden Grove Ebook
20. John Batchelor: embarked 24 Feb 1787 Private 55th Portsmouth Division, lent 14 Feb 1788 per Supply to the intended Settlement Norfolk Island, died 15 Jun 1788 drowned Norfolk Island
21. Thomas Scott: embarked 24 Feb 1787 Private 61st Portsmouth Division, discharged 15 Sep 1788 Port Jackson Head Quarters
22. Michael Murphy: embarked 24 Feb 1787 Private 41st Portsmouth Division, discharged 5 Jun 1789 Port Jackson Head Quarters
23. Thomas Halfpenny: embarked 12 May 1787 replacing Joseph Taylor (see above No.5) Private 35th Portsmouth Division, discharged 5 Jun 1789 Port Jackson Head Quarters
24. Patrick McKeon: embarked 16 Sep 1788 Private 29th from Head Quarters Port Jackson, died 5 Sep 1790 Port Jackson
25. Joseph Hunt: embarked 8 Jun 1789 Private 15th from Head Quarters Port Jackson, discharged 12 Mar 1791 Port Jackson Head Quarters
26. William Seedhouse: embarked 8 Jun 1789 Private 36th from Head Quarters Port Jackson, discharged 12 Mar 1791 Port Jackson Head Quarters

There were fours Ships Marines aboard HMS Sirius for her voyage to Norfolk Island in Mar 1790
2: William Proctor: In Feb 1791, he returned to Sydney aboard HMAT Supply
4: Charles Reynolds: He was sent back to Port Jackson per HMAT Supply, 24 Mar 1790 
24: Patrick McKeon: He was sent back to Port Jackson per HMAT Supply, 24 Mar 1790
25: Joseph Hunt: In Feb 1791, he returned to Sydney aboard HMAT Supply

© Cathy Dunn Australian History Research, includes extracts from Cathy Dunn HMS Sirius: Her Final Voyage