Ahoy - Mac's Web Log

Dear Mac

I typed 'convict ships' into the internet and your website appeared with some excellent pictures of some of the ships used for transportation.

I am currently researching a convict who departed on the Asia 2 Departed England 9 August 1823 arrived Van Diemen's Land 19 January 1824. The departure ports in England are listed as London/Downs/Portsmouth. Would you happen to know where 'Downs' is?

Both my husband and myself are ex-merchant navy but neither of us have heard of Downs.  My husband asked his Royal Navy associates and they have not heard of Downs. I have scoured the maps of England but cannot find Downs. I just wondered if you or your colleagues would happen to know where Downs was located.

John and I are guessing that this port no longer exists. Possibly it was in London or Kent. We are drawing a blank at the moment.

I would be grateful for any information you can provide.

Congratulations on your website - it is monumental with a lot of interesting information.

With kind regards

Linda Simkins

Linda,

Go to this URL: http://southseas.nla.gov.au/journals/maps/54_downs.html to bring up a Map of Southern England, and you will find THE DOWNS marked at the right hand end.

Thank you for your kind words about AHOY, pleased you found something of interest, it is an amalgam of my research and writing, and my WebMaster and friend Terry Kearns in Atlanta Georgia, who should get the credit for the way our site presents to anyone who may chance to find us out there on the internet.

Best regards,
Mac. Gregory.

Dear Mac

What a marvellous surprise when I opened my email this morning. Thank you very much for solving what has
been a mystery for us both. Now that I have viewed the map you directed me to, I can see The Downs marked
near Deal on my book of maps at home but it isn't listed in the index.

You have made my day!  Thank you Mac.

Kind regards,

Linda

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