Journal of a voyage to the Cape of Good Hope, India and Wampoa
by James Smith, 1829-1831

Floggings, mastheadings and other punishments


Date Member of crew Punishment Reason
5 December 29 Charles Grant Put in irons Singing
5 December 29 E. Davis Put in irons Striking the Captain
5 December 29 J. Hamilton Put in irons Interfearing
5 December 29 J. Anderson Put in irons Interfearing
27 January 30 James Smith Had grog stopped Throwing a bucket of water through the port
27 April 30 Whole crew All hatches closed Dispute over rations; they want a cup of tea
11 July 30 Mr Dresser Flogged Not knowing the Compass
12 July 30 Midshipmen Flogged Not doing their day's work
13 July 30 4 Lascars Flogged No reason given
16 July 30 Unnamed Flogged Not washing his clothes
16 July 30 Clashee Capswin bar No reason given
19 July 30 Melvile Hit with rope's end Slow to get to Poop
19 July 30 Melvile Put in irons Slow to get to Poop
24 July 30 2 Main Top men Flogged - 2 dozen No reason given
25 July 30 Unnamed Put on the Capstain with bar on shoulder No reason given
27 July 30 Mr Dresser Stood on the Capsin No reason given
1 August 30 Mr Turner Sent to the Masthead No reason given
6 August 30 4 Main Top men Flogged Not setting sails properly
6 August 30 Cook Flogged Sending bad coffee
7 August 30 Mr Turner Flogged Not seeing boat clear
7 August 30 Mr Turner Flogged - 2 dozen Talking on the Poop
17 August 30 Poop man Flogged Stealing lock and key
22 August 30 Unnamed Flogged For not being clean
19 September 30 Cook Flogged For being saucey
19 September 30 Captain's servant Flogged Being in liquor
3 October 30 Lascars Fish and vegetables and all leave stopped 1st Officer's clothes being tarred
10 October 30 Chief Tindal Beaten & put in irons Being longer than they ought
13 October 30 Mr Hennecar Confined to cabin No reason given
3 November 30 Mr Dresser Mast headed No reason given
19 November 30 2 men Flogged Letting Jolly Boat go adrift
21 November 30 2 Seacurries and 1 Seachy Put in irons Getting tipsey


  1. London to Cape Town : 1 October 1829 - 6 January 1830
  2. Cape Town to Bombay : 16 January - 28 April 1830
  3. Bombay to Sincapore : 4 July - 7 August 1830
  4. Sincapore to Wampoa : 7 August - 26 August 1830
  5. At Wampoa Reach : 27 August - 2 December 1830
  6. Heading home : 3 December 1830 - 18 January 1831
  7. Sesostris Home Page