Midwifery, nursing and medical care on the high seas: An immigration voyage to colonial Australia 1848–1849

Abstract

BackgroundThe lives of individuals are infinitely fascinating, especially when viewed at the intersection of their relationship with other people and their environment. Of interest in this article are the incidents of childbirth and the role of midwife and doctor in these crucial life events. Perhaps of greater significance is the story of those on board this one voyage of the Steadfast within the grand narrative of British immigration to Australia in the nineteenth century. AimThis article aims to demonstrate that it was the human cargo and their need of health care in the voyage of the Steadfast, which contributed to the historical narrative of immigration and quarantine, the prelude to life in the colonial environment. MethodThis is qualitative research using historical methodology involving the selection of available documents. The primary document sourced is that of the surgeon-superintendent’s journal on the Steadfast. The methodology used is narrative, recording the medical information as well as providing background context for the main characters for the purpose of situating them in the immigration story. FindingsHealth care, particularly maternity care, on immigration ships was limited. Birthing at sea was a dangerous process for an immigrant woman often resulting in her death, the death of her infant or both mother and child could perish. If disease occurred during the sea voyage, then quarantine of the ship and passengers was instigated on arrival at Sydney Harbour. DiscussionThis article draws on the journal notes of the surgeon superintendent which logs the health incidents of immigrants requiring midwifery, nursing and medical care on a sea voyage from London to the colony of New South Wales in the mid-nineteenth century. This article focuses on the maternity events and the necessity for quarantine measures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases in the colony of New South Wales.