Footnotes

This snuff box was presented to Edward Philipson Esq, Captain of the sea-going ship the "Ratcliff" (sometimes spelt "Ratcliffe"), by the Officers of HM 96th Regiment, thanking Philipson for his 'unceasing kindness' during their voyage from Van Diemen's Land (later Tasmania) to Calcutta in 1849. On the surface this looks a fairly innocent tale, however on investigation, this small box represents a brutal yet influential period in the history of Australia and its colonies.

Captain Edward Philipson (sometimes spelt 'Phillipson') was born in Birtley, near Newcastle upon Tyne in 1804. He was known to captain convict ships from British and Irish ports over to the Australian Colonies, in particular Van Diemen's Land, enduring the long hazardous passage there and back. Most of these ships were un-modified British merchant vessels, mainly square rigged or barques, with the majority being small to moderate in size. The fees paid to the ship owners for the transportation of prisoners to far-off penal colonies were so low that only the worst and most decrepit ships were utilised. From research it can be ascertained that prior to the "Ratcliff", Edward Philipson was also Captain of the "William Metcalfe" and surprisingly on most voyages was accompanied by his wife. Each ship was able to hold around 240 prisoners, the crew, plus additional fee-paying passengers and cargo. In addition to the crew and convicts, the vessel would have carried cows, sheep, pigs and poultry used during the voyage to provide fresh milk, eggs and meat. Various convict trips on the "William Metcalfe" are recorded, and Philipson appears to have taken over captaincy of the 739 ton "Ratcliff" in circa 1845.

Van Diemen's Land (later Tasmania), Philipson's main destination, was the primary penal colony in Australia and had a reputation as the most brutal. The English Establishment saw an opportunity to use transportation as a way to get rid of its criminal classes, and in addition Britain itself would benefit trade wise in the region, and in particular from China. A series of coastal outposts would also establish a defence and supply chain for the Royal Navy and the merchant vessels. While the Regiments were primarily deployed for guard duty, they also served to protect the Empires interests in the Pacific region.

This is where the 2nd Battalion of HM 96th Regiment enter the picture, brought in by the British Army to act as convict guards in mainland Australia and then later Van Diemen's Land. They attempted to keep order, but often contributed to disorder through their use of legalised brutality. From 1839 to 1841 the 96th Regiment served as guards at several locations in Australia, with the Regimental Head Quarters moving to Van Diemen's Land in 1843. The Regiment remained in Van Diemen's Land until March 1849, when they sailed to India. It is at this point the 96th Regiment were transported by Philipson on the "Ratcliff" to Calcutta, leaving their convict duties behind them – hence the inscription on the snuff box. The 96th Regiment then served under the British East India Company in Calcutta, moving to South Africa in 1863, before returning to India in 1868 for 5 years.

Over the 80 years of convict transportation, between 1788 and 1868, 608 convict ships such as the "Ratcliff" transported more than 162,000 convicts to Australia, often in penance for crimes as petty as stealing a loaf of bread.