Damianos Ninis

Absolute pardon by order of Colonial Secretary 18 July 1836 - returned to Hydra in Greece Convicted of piracy 21 Feb 1828; death sentence commuted to life transport to NSW via ship Norfolk 20 May 1829

New South Wales, Australia, Convict Indents, 1788-1842 Ship: Norfolk - 1829 Name; Damianos Ninis. Age; 24 [1805] No; 194 Unable to Read or write. Single, Native County; Ilse of Hydra Trade; Sailor & Carpenter Offence; Piracy Trial; Malta - 21 Feb 1828 - Life Height; 5 ft. 4 in Complexion; Sallow Hair; Black Eyes; Dk Brown Assigned; Dock Yard --------------------

In 1827, one privateer – the Herakles, out of Hydra – had raided the Alceste, a British-owned Maltese ship flying British colours en route to Alexandria. The ship was chased and seized by the Gannet,4 a British naval brig-sloop, off the Libyan coast. Taken to Malta, the crew was tried for piracy in February 1828. In their defence they claimed that they weren’t actual pirates but part of the Greek independence cause, which justified their raiding a ship bound for an Ottoman - (and hence enemy) - controlled port and seizing cargo useful for the war. In response, the prosecution pointed out to the jury that personal possessions had also been looted. Found guilty, seven of the nine tried were sentenced to death. A request to London for legal clarification, followed by a lengthy appeal, resulted in the sentences being commuted to transportation – to the colony of NSW. They were transferred to England, then in May 1829 loaded onto the transport Norfolk, and arrived in Sydney on 27 August 1829. https://sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/stories/maltese-connection-unexpected-origins-elizabeth-farms-convict-workers