57
past nine A.M.
on
the 21st April ultimo,
one hundred and twelve
Convicts,
two European Turnkeys,
a gang of twenty
under the
guard of
two European Constables and two Indian
Constables, with the aid of a Police boat,
manned by one Portuguese
And
four
Chinese Constables, was sent to procure
Stone from
a place out of
view from
the Convict Hulk, having for the Conveyance of the stone two large open boats; the-
Convicts suddenly attacked and overpowered
the
guard, and one hundred of their number without delay crossed in one of the Stone boats to the opposite Mainland, the time occupied in crossing being about sixteen minutes, and, with the exception of one
Convict accidentally drowned at starting, and two shot and killed by the Turnkeys who went in immediate pursuit, all effected their escape.
The Board is unanimously of opinion
that this escape
was
successfully carried out through an unfortunate
combination of
Circumstances, some
a want of foresight,
others, a neglect
of Jail Rules.
Firstly. The
gang of
Convicts
was sent
to labor out of view from the Convict
Hulk without a Sentry being posted
as to communicate between the
and the Convict Hulk.
Secondly. The Stone boats
gang
were manned