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Dr George Mayo's private diary from 1839 opens a rare window into the social world of a migrant ship bound for Australia. 

As ship surgeon aboard the Asia, Mayo moved freely between social classes—something no other passenger could do—and recorded his unfiltered observations about everyone from the captain to the stewards.

His candid entries reveal the fascinating dynamics of shipboard life across a five-month journey.  The cabin passengers maintained strict hierarchies, with Mrs Duff (described as "rather vain" with "an awful talking" habit) and Mrs Garrett locked in an ongoing feud over perceived slights, nursemaids showing insufficient respect, and mysterious family histories.  Mayo records their dramatic reconciliation with bemused detachment, noting how they became "sworn friends" after months of conflict.

Below decks, steerage passengers managed their own cooking and living arrangements while occasionally being brought before the captain for disciplinary issues.  The traditional "crossing the line" ceremony at the equator nearly erupted into violence when reluctant participants threatened sailors with pistols and wooden legs rather than submit to Neptune's rituals.

Most alarming were Mayo's entries about Captain Freeman, repeatedly described as fond of "brandy and water."  Near journey's end, the intoxicated captain nearly steered the Asia onto rocks at Cape Borda.  Only the intervention of Captain Duff, himself a passenger but experienced sea captain, saved the vessel from disaster.  While Freeman slept off his drinking, Duff remained "up all night" navigating the ship to safety.

These stories remind us that colonial settlement journeys were fraught with danger—not just from pirates and storms, but sometimes from the very people entrusted with passengers' safety.  Through Mayo's critical eye, we gain unprecedented insights into the complex human reality behind Australia's maritime migration history.

Explore our episode archives for more stories about early colonial Australia and the voyages that brought settlers to these shores.

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