Hoare family travel to Paraguay on the 'Royal Tar'

REFRESHER In the early 1890s, Australia’s colonial government violently put down a shearer’s strike in Queensland. The conflict compelled the radical socialist William Lane to start a utopia where all men would be equal. “New Australia” would be founded in Paraguay, which had been devastated by the Triple Alliance War and was desperate to repopulate. In 1893, Lane, his family and about 500 other unionists set sail for the 187,000-hectare collective in South America. But the “harebrained scheme” soon fell apart. The Paraguayan government eventually dissolved the failed collective, but even today there are descendants of those unionists still in the country.

Preparing for 'New Australia'

The Advertiser (Adelaide) 01 January 1894

THE NEW AUSTRALIANS.

DEPARTURE OF THE ROYAL TAR.

SHE CARRIES 198 PASSENGERS.

TO RETURN AGAIN TO ADELAIDE.

After a few days’ stay at the Semaphore anchorage the barque Royal Tar with the second contingent of New Australians for Paraguay sailed for Monte Video at about 8 o’clock on Sunday morning. She was cleared at the Port Adelaide Customs House on Saturday, when the final inspection of her and her passengers was made by the emigration officer (Captain Inglis) and the health officer (Dr. Teichelmann). These gentlemen and the Port agent (Mr. A. T. Saunders), Captain R. Kennedy, Mr. P. McNaught, Mr. Conlon (of the Customs), and press representatives visited the vessel early on the Saturday morning. Those on board had been astir for some time, and Captain Inglis was not long in completing his examination. He had no fault to find, as the orders he had given had been or were being satisfactorily carried out. The skid for the support of the two extra boats had still to be finished, and the carpenter was busy at the work. The passengers were instructed to muster on the upper deck to be passed by the health officer, and Mr. Scott (the mate) gave the command. Though the time was rather inconvenient — the majority being at breakfast — the injunction was readily obeyed. A scrutiny was made and all were passed. In addition to a large crew the Royal Tar has on board a complement of 198 passengers. Only 191 were on the list when Dr. Teichelmann made his examination, but a man, his wife, and two children joined the vessel later. Cheers were given as the launch was about to leave the ship by those an board for the satisfactory manner in which the New Australians had been treated by the marine, health, and Customs officials. At 4 o’clock on Saturday afternoon Captain Kennedy had completed his business on shore and boarded the vessel. Messrs. A. T. Saunders and P. McNaught accompanied him as far as the Royal Tar and bade all on board a pleasant voyage. Captain Kennedy was undecided on Saturday morning which route he would take to Monte Video. He will be guided very much by the winds which the vessel will experience in the gulf. It is expected that she will reach Port Adelaide again in May next. Mr. P. McNaught will leave Adelaide today for Victoria. He will make a flying visit to Creswick, and then proceed to Sydney, Hobart, and New Zealand. In New Zealand his stay will probably be prolonged.

Captain Gibbon, surveyor to the Adelaide Underwriters’ Association, has reported on the Royal Tar as follows :—

“This vessel has received the following repairs to put her in good order— ‘Extra iron stays fitted and bolted in fore and after ends of after house. New pin rail put in place of defective rail starboard side, also stays fitted to stiffen rail. Two plates fitted on foremost skid and batted through deck beam. Washboards fitted in bulwarks. All necessary repairs have been completed and ship is now in good order and a good risk for insurance.’ “

Mr. W. Saunders has been placed in charge of the ship’s company on this occasion, and does not expect any trouble. Five persons who intended going have been left behind—two men who deemed it wise to withdraw from the association, two who have been placed on probation for six months for having broken the temperance clause, and one, a blacksmith named Andrews, who missed his passage.

The Royal Tar has been insured in the South British Insurance office. It was reported on Sunday evening that she was anchored wind bound well off Glenelg.

It is stated on good authority that a third batch of New Australians will leave Port Adelaide for Paraguay in March next by a vessel which the New Australian Association intend to purchase. It is said there are a sufficient number of persons enrolled now to fill three vessels. The heads of the movement here state that their treatment by the marine and other authorities has been much fairer than that meted out by the authorities in Sydney.

PASSENGERS' OCCUPATIONS

40 laborers including 3 farm laborers

14 bushmen

10 miners

18 housewives

5 farmers

3 stockmen, painters, engineers, seamen

2 cooks, butchers, blacksmiths, ploughmen

4 carpenters, shearers

1 gardener, baker, sawmiller, draper, brickmaker, enginedriver, dairyman, brewer, bootmaker, machinist, chemist, surveyor, carrier, clerk, nurse, journalist, slater, telegraph assistant

Rules and regulations (For the good government of the passengers)

The rules and regulations on the voyage were printed and placed in conspicuous places on board the ship. They were agreed to by members of the second batch at a meeting held before embarkation at Port Adelaide. Some of the principal included :—

 ” All passengers not prevented through sickness or by order of the ship’s surgeon shall
rise not later than 7.30 a.m.
” A number of the passengers shall be told off each week to sweep after meals and have
between decks holystoned by 11 a.m. daily for inspection by the doctor and captain. The
married people to have their apartments cleaned and ready for inspection at the above
mentioned time.
” There shall be no lights between decks other than those lights placed in companion ways and a sufficient number of other lights for lighting between decks.
” No smoking allowed, or no naked lights to be used in between decks or lower hold or
storerooms.
” One day in the week shall be appointed by the captain for washing day ; but as little fresh
water as possible is to be used for washing purposes. On no account shall washing or drying be allowed in between decks.
” No swearing, riotous or indecent language to be allowed. Cleanliness to be observed by all passengers for the general health and comfort of all on board.
” Passengers to form themselves into messes of 20, and if possible to occupy tables opposite berths. Two members of each mess to attend to tables and carrying of food from the galley; also to clear away after meals. Two men to be appointed from each mess to wash up eating utensils after each meal. Members of all messes to take turns to do the necessary work required at tables and cleaning.
” One gallon of water to be served for each passenger and member of crew at 4 p.m. daily
by the second officer, and no further allowance to be served except on washing day. Each
passenger will receive half his allowance, the remainder to go to the galley for cooking
purposes.”

'Royal Tar' Passenger List

HOARE FAMILY on board the Royal Tar

Norah Hoare, Denis Hoare, John Hoare, Daniel Hoare, Dennis Hoare, Mesdame Hoare,

Miss Johannah Hoare, Margaret Hoare, and Master Wm. Hoare.

FULL PASSENGER LIST

Norah Hoare, Denis Hoare, John Hoare, Daniel Hoare, Elizabeth Hale, Ethel Hale, Minnie Claussen, Helen J. Rnndle, Maggie Rundle, Bessie Rundle, Eliza Rundle, Fannie McClure, W. L. Kidd, Florrie Kidd, Frederick Kidd, Arthur Kidd, Catherine Kempson, William B. Kempson, Mary E. Kempson, J. Thomas Marsden, M. A. Robson, A. E. Butterworth, James Butterworth, Jessie Butterworth, Adela Thomas, Clara Thomas, Mary Ann Thomas, George Albert Thomas, Harry Thomas, Harrold Thomas, Laura Thomas, Stanley Howard (children and single girls), Miss M. Grace, Mesdames Walters, Jenkins, and McClure, Messrs. Alfred Birks, J. Oakford, J. Nield, J. G. Dobson, C. Hurrell, G. Butterworth, Frank Robson, H. Taylor, Jas. Casey, W. S. Mabbott, Alec Cameron, G. S. Casey, Dennis Hoare, J. Rogers, J. F. Claussen, S. P. Rundle, T. McClure, F. Kidd, W. O. Kempson, Jas. Marsden, Pehrason, Myles Butterworth, W. H. Thomas, F. Mann, W. S. Howard, Mesdames J. Cobbs, Abbott, Cameron, Casey, Hoare, Hale, Claussen, McClure, Kidd, Kempson; Messrs. W. Connelly, J. Sainsbury, J. Wallin, M. Fogarty, B. Pendar, Allen Whitehorn, A. Cummings, Frank Birks, Kyff Birks, Alf. King, H. King, T. E. King, R. Rae, Alf. Berthelsen, G. Burnett, B. Springer, E. H. Graham, W. Walters, W. C. Antell, A. Laney, J. Nieman, D. Tampane, W. Gorman, J. Moylan, W. S. Skipper, B. Saver, J. Green, H. Baker, W. Bateman, J. Kaslin, G. J. Weatkin, W. Culrernell, R. Smith, A. Gavercan, E. Davis, G. Smith, W.J. Saunders, H. H. Bateman, John Squires, A. J. Simpson, Robert Oliphant, John Walsh, C. Wraks, Wm. Janks, C. Rae, August Scheibe, George Churchill, John Forbes, James Dillon, Owen McGuire, B. Robson, W. Morrish, Jno. White, W. Donald, B. H. Smith, E. P. Mehan, E. Thompson, T. Greenwood, Jno. Vince, W. Witmass, S. Tresbrain, Alf. Holden, Harry Vane, W. Gilmore, J. McGaw, R. MeLevie, George Jenkins, E. Jenkins, J. W. Walsh, G. Henderson, H. C. Smith-Barry, H. O. Blackwell, H. Simpson, Robert Miller, P. Pinder, J. Scott, Geo. Thomas, Frank Biddell, John Matson, Robert Grieg, Z. Keppie, M. McDonald, Martin Quigley, G. Hedberg, A. Dixon, T. Williams, E. Murray, W. Thomas, J. Connors, Alec Phillimy, J. Conlan, E. Taylor, Jno. McParland, R. M. Andrews, Walter Arnold, Jno. Thomas, Jas. Thomas, Lloyd, T. Anderson, G. Allen, H. Boys, T. Bell, M. Irons, H. Godfrey, O. Petersen, J. Williams, M. Storen, C. Bond, C. Stevens, Mesdames Marsden, Pehrason,, Butterworth, Thomas, Mann, and Howard, Misses Bessie Jacobs, Nellie Jacobs, Johannah Hoare, Margaret Hoare, Margaret Cameron, and Masters Wm. Jacobs, Harry Jacobs, Fred Jacobs, James Cameron, and Wm. Hoare

Denis Hoare:

‘On the 1st January, 1894, we left the shores of Australia, as lighthearted a lot of men and women as you could see. We had a splendid passage for 52 days’.

FURTHER READING – Whitehead, Anne. (1997). Paradise Mislaid: In Search of the Australian Tribe of Paraguay.