William, one of 157 convicts, was loaded abroad the ship “COMPETITOR(1)”. They set sail on the 18th March 1823, from England. Master William Ascough (first voyage) in charge of the vessel. The ship arrived in Hobart, Van Diemen’s Land on the 3rd August 1823.
William’s Description:
William was described as 27 years of age, five foot two and a half inches (1.59 metres) brown hair and brown eyes, and of stout build. A boatman from Worcester.
TRANSPORTATION RECORD:
Transported for stealing hay.
Gaol Report, Second conviction, Disorderly
Hulk Report, Orderly
Conviction this offence, stealing hay once before on suspension.
F. + W. + 3 Ch at Worcester. ( This means a father, a wife and three children at Worcester).
A Glove maker in N.P. (We have been told this means his father was a Glove maker in his native place).
TASMANIAN PRISON RECORD:
William’s record of conduct continued to grow during his seven years of conviction in Tasmania.
528 WILLIAM BENBOW
COMPETITOR (1) 1823
Nov 18 1825 Suspected of stealing winnowing sheet the property of G.Touley to PB (Prison Barracks) 20 days (A.W.H.H. Esq.) December28th1825 Captain Clarke Neglect of duty. Disobedience oforders. Threatening his Master 59 lashes and chain gang 6 months(_____) Oct17th 1828 Rowlands/ charged with defrauding his Master of various small sums of money 12 months chain gang (J. Spode) December24th 1828 to chain gang/Absconds from the Chain Gang at N.Norfolk remanded (W.Williams & A. Reid) Jan.26.1829 absconds from the chaingang at N.Norfolk on the 25th ultimately apprehended on the 15th instance by Constable William Drummond 50 lashes diet to the Chain Gang (W.H.H).