Richard Turton
Encyclopedia
Captain Richard Turton was an officer of the 40th Regiment
stationed at Sydney. He was selected to lead the first party of convicts in the re-establishment of the second convict settlement at Norfolk Island
. The island had been abandoned since the first convict settlement was finally removed in 1814. The new settlement was intended to be the most severe settlement, where the worst convicts would be sent, without hope of escape and offering, in Governor Darling
's view, “the extremest punishment short of death”. With 34 soldiers, 57 convicts, and 12 soldiers' wives and children, he landed on 6 June 1825. Most of the convicts were tradesmen to clear the regrowth and prepare buildings. A treadmill
was planned, but never sent.
The convicts worked twelve hour days, and the rations of salt meat and maize-meal sound unappetising, but there are no reports of harsh treatment of this working party.
Thirty-one more convicts arrived in December, along with more wives.
In March 1826, Turton was promoted to major, replaced by Captain Vance Young Donaldson of the 57th Regiment
, and returned to Sydney.
40th (2nd Somersetshire) Regiment of Foot
The 40th Regiment of Foot was an infantry regiment of the British Army, formed in 1717 and amalgamated into The Prince of Wales's Volunteers in 1881.-Formation:...
stationed at Sydney. He was selected to lead the first party of convicts in the re-establishment of the second convict settlement at Norfolk Island
Norfolk Island
Norfolk Island is a small island in the Pacific Ocean located between Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia. The island is part of the Commonwealth of Australia, but it enjoys a large degree of self-governance...
. The island had been abandoned since the first convict settlement was finally removed in 1814. The new settlement was intended to be the most severe settlement, where the worst convicts would be sent, without hope of escape and offering, in Governor Darling
Ralph Darling
General Sir Ralph Darling, GCH was a British colonial Governor and Governor of New South Wales from 1825 to 1831.-Early career:...
's view, “the extremest punishment short of death”. With 34 soldiers, 57 convicts, and 12 soldiers' wives and children, he landed on 6 June 1825. Most of the convicts were tradesmen to clear the regrowth and prepare buildings. A treadmill
Treadmill
A treadmill is an exercise machine for running or walking while staying in one place. The word treadmill traditionally refers to a type of mill which was operated by a person or animal treading steps of a wheel to grind grain...
was planned, but never sent.
The convicts worked twelve hour days, and the rations of salt meat and maize-meal sound unappetising, but there are no reports of harsh treatment of this working party.
Thirty-one more convicts arrived in December, along with more wives.
In March 1826, Turton was promoted to major, replaced by Captain Vance Young Donaldson of the 57th Regiment
57th (West Middlesex) Regiment of Foot
The 57th Regiment of Foot was a regiment of line infantry in the British Army.-History:The regiment started out as the 59th Regiment of Foot raised in Gloucester in 1755....
, and returned to Sydney.