Andrew Munro’s Journey from India to Australia in 1869

Andrew Munro, a retired Brigade Quartermaster Sergeant, concluded his military service on 19 October 1868 at Camp Mhow, India. At the time of his discharge, he intended to reside in Bombay (modern-day Mumbai).[i] However, within a year, he embarked on a journey to Australia, accompanied by his wife and seven children.

On 3 September 1869, the Munro family boarded the SS Travancore, in Bombay, destined for China and under the command of Captain Eastley. The ship’s first stop en route was at Point de Galle in Ceylon (modern-day Sri Lanka). The ship carried both passengers and a cargo of Malwa opium, a common trade good in the 19^th century.[ii]

“The P & O’s “S.S. Travancore”, Captain Eastley will sail today for China, with chests of Malwa Opium, and the following passengers: - For Galle-Mr. Beynon; For Sydney-Mr. Prick and Mr. D, Richmond; For Melbourne- Mr. W. Allingham, Mr. A. Munro, wife and 7 children, Mr Crompton, and Mr Oldenwald; For Hongkong-A?? Housein Abdooally, and Jajet Emmael Seeslick”

Under normal conditions, the voyage from Bombay to Point de Galle typically required 6–7 days. The family likely arrived in Galle around 10 September 1869, where they transferred to another ship, the Geelong RMS Steamer.

Transfer to the Geelong RMS Steamer

The Geelong RMS Steamer, operated by the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, was tasked with carrying passengers, cargo, and mail from Point de Galle to Australia. The transfer at Galle was routine for travellers heading to Australia, as Galle served as a major transit hub in the Indian Ocean.

The Geelong departed Galle at 7:00 p.m. on 7 September 1869, continuing via King George’s Sound in Western Australia to Hobson’s Bay in Melbourne. Weather reports from the voyage indicate a relatively uneventful, albeit uncomfortable, trip: [iii]

“The Geelong sailed from Galle at 7 p.m. on the 7th inst, with favourable weather. Experienced moderate south east trades, and afterwards a succession of head winds until her arrival at the Sound at 3 40 p.m. on the 21st instant. Sailed from the Sound at a quarter-past 5 a.m. on the 22nd, with moderate breezes from N.N.E. to N.N.W., and a very heavy swell for the first two days ; then strong breezes from S.S.E. to E.S.E, with much rain.”[iv]

The Geelong reached Melbourne on 28 September 1869, where the Munro family disembarked.[v]

Useful links for background

WikiTree profile for Andrew Munro (1828 - 1901)

Blogpost Meta Data

The URL for this post is:  https://ancestralresearchjournal.blogspot.com/2024/12/andrew-munros-journey-from-india-to.html Originally published on 15 December 2024

Please comment on this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post. Share it on Twitter/X, Facebook, or Pinterest using the icons below. Or contact me by email via the Contact Form on the Blog.

---

[i] "United Kingdom, Chelsea Pensioners' Service Records, 1760-1913." Database with Images. FindMyPast. http://findmypast.com  : accessed 15/4/2016. citing WO97, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey. Entry for Andrew Munro Service Number 96.

[ii] The Times of India (1861-current); Mumbai, India. ‘S.S. Travancore Departure’. 3 September 1869, page 3. http://search.proquest.com/hnptimesofindia/docview/234769882/citation/53277EDF09DD40A4PQ/29

[iii] Taken from the Index of Inward Passenger Lists for British and Foreign Ports 1852-1899; 1869 'SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), 28 September, p. 7. , viewed 04 Apr 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5815237

[iv] 1869 'SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), 28 September, p. 7. , viewed 04 Apr 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5815237

[v] Passenger List for the Geelong Strem Ship, arrived at the Port of Melbourn on the 28 September 1889, from Point de Galle, Inward Overseas Passenger Lists VPRS 947/P0000, Jul - Dec 1869 Image 92 of 313