SA-HISTORY-L Archives

From: ivytrott <>
Subject: Simons Bay
Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2000 06:16:10 +0200

I understand that the ship 'Lady Nelson' spent August-October 1800 undergoing repairs in Simons Bay. She sailed for Tasmania on October 7, 1800.

On board were Lt. James Grant as Captain, Dr. Brandt as ship's surgeon, who had been shipwrecked seven years earlier along the eastern coast, and a giant Dane called John Johnstone who was in custody as a mutineer from another ship, but who worked so well on the trip to Tasmania that Lt. Grant had him pardoned on arrival there. Dr. Brandt's pet baboon and dog also went on board.

When the ship left Simons Bay Lt. Grant expressed his thanks to various people who had assisted him during his stay. Commandant of Simons Town, Major Stephen Collins of the 81st Reg.; Dr. Pattison; James Robert Grant, related to the Lt., who had been appointed to take charge of the sick of the 22nd and the 34th from England.

Lt. Grant was baptised on the 6th September at Forres, Morayshire, Scotland, the son of Robert Grant of Boganduie.

Nothing is known of Dr. Brandt except that he said he had an estate on the Rhine, and had 'tended the sick at the Swart Berg'. Hosts who had given him shelter were a ship's victualler named Farquharson and James Grant mentioned above.

If anybody has any knowledge of any of these people, please be good enough to contact me.
Thank you.
Ivy Trott.

This thread:

• Simons Bay by ivytrott <>