Migration to South Australia on the SCOTTISH LASSIE

Richard Harris, jnr

• Born in Portsea Hants UK, 20/05/1831
• Married Mary Anne Begg on 2/08/1854 at St Peter Port, Guernsey
• Occupation: Seaman
• Died Portland Estate, South Aust 22/06/1878
• Date of Burial: 23/06/1878
• Place of Burial: West terrace Adelaide SA

Richard, age 44, along with his wife Mary Ann, of the same age, and their children, Bertha, 8, Arthur 6, Flora 4, Aubrey, John 18, Mary Ann 15, Edith 14, Isabella 12, and Richard William Francis Harrris 21, all migrated to Australia .

The Scottish Lassie departed from Plymouth on the 12/10/1877 and arrived at Semaphore on the 01/01/1878, with arrival at Port Adelaide on the tenth of January. Passenger list number 78/1 gives the details. Aubrey John and Richard William travelled together on the ship, separate from the rest of the family. They all received free passages, all were recorded as being of English birth and the father, ie Richard was recorded as a labourer. The voyage application number was 366, and under a separate application number 362, was a separate family by the name of Harris, a William age 27, Julia age 20 and their daughter Ellen, age 1. No family tie relationship has been established. On the voyage out there were three births and two deaths, the deaths being recorded as of chronic diarreah.

The ship the Scottish Lassie was an iron barque, McIlwraith and McEachaun being the shipping agents. The ship was built in 1877 and was of 1899 gross tons. The builders of the ship were Hall and Co of Aberdeen. In 1895 the ship was sold to France and renamed as the Alexander. the vessel was employed in the carrying of emigrants until 1880, after that it continued to trade to Australia for wool and primary produce. In 1880 steamers became more popular for transport of people. In 1925 the ship was broken up under the name of Le Galion. It is believed that Richard and his family initially lived at Portland Estate before moving to Queen Street, Alberton. Richard died within six months of arrival in the country. In leaving Guernsey, the family broke a 38 year association with the islands of the English channel.