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Dr. James Murdoch M.D.
of
Craigow 1785-1848 7. The CASTLE FORBES had already made at least one voyage as such, and was to make another two years later. In February 1820, after calling at Sydney with 140 male convicts from Ireland and a military guard of 27 soldiers, she sailed for the Derwent with most of them and 44 others -180 altogether, for distribution amongst the settlers. In May her name was brought up in evidence. The subject under review was the attempts made by convicts to seize ships and escape with them. The story; which - as told, possibly, by a sailor, was no doubt enough to startle some incoming settlers, may be a clue to the name of Castle Forbes Bay that lies in the Huon Estuary. The ship the CASTLE FORBES was down at the Huon River taking in spars for India and a party of 28 convicts assembled together and laid a plan to seize her. They had several meetings near the town, and were to have gone down in three boats to attack the CASTLE FORBES. Information of the plan was reported and a party of 14 constables was sent to conceal themselves in the bush about a mile from town. They apprehended the convicts and found no arms. In 1822 when Dr. James and his family arrived in Van Diemen's Land, it was very much a penal colony. The Muster of 1822 records the population at 1561 free men, 732 free women and 495 free children. 4495 male convicts, 287 female convicts and 114 children. During Dr. James's lifetime transportation of convicts to Van Diemen's Land continued apace. Eight days after his arrival, the following appeared in the Gazette:
He selected a residence in Liverpool Street opposite the site of Heathorn's Hotel and there practised his profession. A note in the Gazette on 20th April 1822 reads:
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