Sydney Ducks facts for kids
The Sydney Ducks were a group of people from Australia who moved to San Francisco, California, in the mid-1800s. They were known as a gang and were often blamed for crimes and problems in the city. Many of them had come from places in Australia that were once British "penal colonies." These were like special settlements where people who had committed crimes in Britain were sent.
Because of their background and reputation, the Sydney Ducks were often accused of causing trouble. For example, they were blamed for a big fire in 1849 that badly damaged the center of San Francisco. They were also linked to a lot of the crime happening in the city during that time.
Who Were the Sydney Ducks?
The Sydney Ducks operated as a group, or a gang, in San Francisco. The city was growing fast, and many different kinds of people lived and worked there. This included sailors, people who loaded ships (longshoremen), drivers (teamsters), and various craftspeople like wheel makers (wheelwrights) and ship builders (shipwrights). There were also many everyday workers like bartenders, shop owners, laundry workers (washerwomen), house helpers (domestic servants), and clothing makers (dressmakers).
A large number of the people linked to the Sydney Ducks, about 44%, were born in Ireland. They had moved from Ireland during the Great Irish Famine, a time when many people in Ireland faced starvation. They first went to Australia to work, and then some moved to California as part of the exciting Gold Rush. This was a time when many people rushed to California hoping to find gold.
Where Did They Live?
The area where many of the Sydney Ducks lived was at the bottom of a place called Telegraph Hill in San Francisco. This neighborhood was first known as "Sydney-Town" because so many people from Australia lived there. However, by the 1860s, this area became much more famous by a different name: the Barbary Coast. The Barbary Coast was known for its lively, and sometimes rough, nightlife and activities.
Notable Events
The Sydney Ducks were involved in various events during their time in San Francisco. One notable event happened on December 19, 1854. On this day, five members of the gang were part of a famous conflict known as the Jonathan R. Davis fight.
