The ship Empire

[Puzzle]

My Great-great-grandfather and family was on board the Empire from Liverpool to Sydney in 1853, he died during the voyage with his infant son.  I would like to find out more about the Empire, and what he died from. It would seem there were a number of deaths on this passage, I dread to think what the conditions were like.
So far I can find nothing but the arrival of the rest of the family who did survive, please can anyone give me a lead?
Thanks!
Liz

[Dundee]

Empire arrived 27 July 1853

From the manifest, Health Officer's report:

"The sickness was from scurvy and ordinary infantile complaints"

"15 deaths from the above named causes"

"The Surgeon Superintenant having died on the passage.  I have taken a Surgeon onboard the ship and left him in charge of the people"

On Friday last the Earl of Elgin spoke the Empire, from Liverpool, bound to Sydney, with emigrants, short of provisions and with scurvy on board: the doctor, his wife, and several passengers had already died; Captain Lawson sent his surgeon on board and supplied the ship with provision.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12947608  (bottom of the column)

The master's name was STRICK.  There was really no excuse for running out of food and having deaths from scurvy.  I'll take that back, feeling a bit cranky    They visited no ports on the journey, and the only ship they saw was the Elgin mentioned below.  I would say the "tedious" means that they spent a lot of time becalmed.

Debra 

[Dundee]

It was a very long journey - 5 months.

The Empire has had a most tedious passage, having been out since the 1st March last. The surgeon-superintendent, wife, and child, died on board, and the captain had the whole of the immigrants thrown on his hands, in the double capacity of captain and surgeon. Nine adults (including the doctor and family), and six children, died during the passage. There were also eight births. The immigrants are composed of English, Scotch, and Irish, the greater portion being English.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article670769

Debra 

[Dundee]

TO CAPTAIN STRICK.

Ship Empire, August 8,1853.

SIR, - After a tedious and harassing passage, during which you discharged the utmost vigilance, sobriety, and skill as a captain, we wish, before finally parting, to express our heartfelt gratitude for the unceasing kindness and attention you have always manifested towards us, and more particularly since the death of our surgeon, for the patient and efficient manner in which you have contributed to the many wants of ourselves and families during a severe sickness, which attention took up a great portion of your time when it was most precious to you. That you may have a prosperous voyage to your native land, and always enjoy the happiness which springs from the conviction of having discharged your duty, is the sincere farewell wish of your passengers.

Signed In their behalf.

GEORGE LEE, Chairman.

GEORGE CARTER, Secretary.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12947863

And another here:

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article61326683

Debra 

[Puzzle]

Thank you Debra, I thought as much, what a horrible death, and poor little Josiah didn't stand a chance.  That's given me something to go on.

It must have been hard for my great-great-mother arriving, shell shocked from the birth and loss of her baby and her husband, with the other children to provide for.
Tough.

Thanks so much

Lix

[loandy]

I found this post on the immigrant ship Empire ,My GGGrandfather father & family arrived in Australia on this ship in 1853 , I note that it sailed from Liverpool ,I was certain that my ancestors left from Dundee in Scotland as I have read it in his personal diary,also of great interest was the letter from the passengers committee to the Captain, written by the Secretary of the group George Carter, My GGGrandfather was the same, George Carter,