Transported From Norwich To Oz The Musical

The astonishing story of criminals sentenced to hang, a baby torn from his mother’s arms, a burglar turned chief constable and Australia’s first settler, all began in Norfolk. This month the tale returns full circle with the revival of a folk opera written by a renowned Norfolk musician. ROWAN MANTELL reports.

IN JANUARY 1788, exactly 230 years ago, Henry Cabell waded ashore in Australia. As he staggered up the beach, carrying the ship’s captain who had brought him from England, he became the first settler to set foot in Australia.

Back in Norwich, Henry had been sentenced to hang for burglary. Imprisoned in Norwich Castle he met another prisoner who had been sentenced to transportation for theft. Despite the desperate circumstances the pair fell in love and, still imprisoned, had a son together.

Susannah Holmes would have been transported to America, but as the former colony had declared independence she was ordered to be shipped out on the first convict transport to Australia.

But the captain of the ship refused to take her baby. Susannah was dragged, sobbing, on to the ship and the Norwich gaoler who had accompanied her took the baby to London, to beg that mother and child should not be separated. Compassionate and resourceful he arrived at the home of the Home Secretary himself, who not only agreed the baby should travel with Susannah, but also ordered that Henry should be transported with them.

Newspapers dubbed the gaoler ‘the humane turnkey’ and a public collection raised £20, then double an average annual wage, for Henry, Susannah and their baby.