Billy Blue

William Blue (c. 1767 – 7 May 1834) was an Australian convict who, after completing his sentence, became a boatman providing one of the first services to take people across Sydney Harbour. He was also made a water bailiff and watched boat traffic on Port Jackson from a special tower.

Although Billy Blue's place and date of birth are uncertain, convict records suggest he was born in New York, around 1740 or 1767. Other people reading his records believe him to have been from Jamaica, West Indies.

In 1817, Governor Macquarie granted Billy Blue at what is now Blues Point, which was named after him.

On 4 October 1796, Blue was convicted, at Maidstone, in Kent, of stealing raw sugar and sentenced to seven years' transportation. After serving over four years in a prison hulk he was transported to Botany Bay, Australia, in the convict ship .

Career Blue later became a boatman, ferrying passengers across Sydney Harbour.

In 1807, Blue was the only person licensed to ply a ferry across the harbour.

Legacy

Billy Blue's name has been preserved in place names such as Blues Point on Sydney Harbour, Blue Street and Blues Point Road in North Sydney, as well as commercial names like the Billy Blue College of Design and Blues Point Tower.