The Wild Goose
The Wild Goose was a hand written newspaper created by Fenian prisoners aboard the last ship to transport convicts to Australia.
Seven editions of the newspaper were produced, each edition carefully laid out and decorated by hand. Only one copy was made, this was read to the convicts aloud.
The aim was to provide entertainment and encouragement aboard the Hougoumont during its long and arduous voyage to Fremantle.
The major contributors were John Casey, John Flood and John Boyle O'Reilly. The documents provide a fascinating insight into life aboard ship. The documents contain songs, stories, articles, advice, poems, and even comedy. In addition to the diaries of Denis Cashman and the journals of John Casey and Thomas McCarthy Fennell the journey of the Hougoumont was well recorded.
All seven editions survive bound into one book and are part of the State Library of New South Wales collection.