The lascars' kettle: Lascar sailors on voyages to Australia and New Zealand in the late eighteenth century

2026/02/08 by Jennifer Ashton · 1 voice
Social Sciences · Arts and Humanities · #Australian History and Society #Travel Writing and Literature #Colonial History and Postcolonial Studies

paper · doi:10.1111/aehr.70021

Abstract

Abstract Between 1793 and 1796, three inter‐related sailing voyages took place around the coasts of Australia and New Zealand. On board each of these voyages were lascar sailors drawn from the Indian Ocean. This article looks at the experience of these sailors and considers how the racial hierarchies present on each of the voyages were sustained or challenged during times of crisis. In particular, it considers how co‐operation might be a productive frame through which to examine on‐board relationships between lascars and European crew and officers.

Discussions

• A careful reading of 1790s ship journals shows that British merchants in the south Pacific depended on ‘lascar’ sailors from the Indian Ocean who worked in highly racialized conditions. Jennifer Ashto [bsky, 13 points, 0 comments]

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