23
248
Convict hulk and have been employed as boatman to row the prisoners to and from the shore. I was so employed on the evening 25th July, the prisoners brought on board in three boat loads, when the last boat load got alongside four or five prisoners tried to get up the side at the same time, there was a turmoil on the top of the ladder (witness points out Turnkey Manning, who hurt his hand and came in with two small cuts on it) and he struck these prisoners falling back, the prisoners started back against other prisoners and the boat turned. I was thrown into the water and having got hold of a rope belonging to the boat and was then picked up by a Police boat.
It has been usual to have about eighty prisoners in one boat load; I have heard the prisoners say to each other when getting into the boat "take care, take care" at the time there are so many prisoners in the boat, but I believe it was only to make the prisoners sit quiet. I do not believe it was supposed there...
23