As February 1836 drew to a close two of the three South Australian Company ships, the John Pirie and the Duke of York, left Gravesend at the mouth of the Thames and began their careful navigation of the English Channel towards the Atlantic Ocean. Poor Captain Morgan continued to be very anxious about his wife, who was due […]
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Week 04 – A fair wind
The middle of March found both the John Pirie and the Duke of York still anchored close to shore in the English Channel, as strong adverse winds and torrential rain delayed their departure still further. But by 19 March the winds had swung around and Captain Morgan prepared his ship once more for sea. His duty called, […]
Week 11 – ‘dangers stand thick all around’
At long last fair conditions prevail for the travelers and they make good progress. But danger still stalks the Duke of York. Lucy Beare becomes dangerously ill and almost dies. Reading…
Week 29 – Impressions of the mainland
On land Sunday 4 September finds Samuel Stephens deeply depressed. ‘I cannot and will not endure this state of things it shall be mended by some means or other’, he confides to his diary. He and Captain Martin put their heads together and the experienced captain devises a plan to try to get everyone working […]
Week 37 – taxing ‘ardent spirits’
In South Australia With his full complement of surveyors at last, Colonel Light can now divide them into two groups to cover a greater area of the coast. He sends the largest group under George Kingston to Holdfast Bay, with the second group under Finniss remaining at Rapid Bay. Light intends to inspect Port Lincoln, […]
Week 40 – Finally! The harbour is found
In South Australia Colonel Light is a relieved man. He has identified the harbour that will become Port Adelaide and is excited by what he sees. ‘[O]ne of the finest little harbours I ever saw is now fairly known’ he writes, adding that it is ‘more extensive, safe and beautiful, than we could even have […]
Week 41 – Fire!
In South Australia Colonel Light is under increasing pressure to identify the site for the capital and begin his detailed land surveys. He is acutely aware of the impatience of the emigrants camped at Holdfast Bay and knows that they will soon be joined by hundreds more from the Buffalo. But he has been instructed […]
Week 45 – Journey’s end and new beginnings
Christmas Day dawns fine and hot in the settlements, with the colonists in pensive mood. Inevitably their thoughts turn to friends and family in England as they reflect on the very different circumstances of this first Christmas in South Australia. As usual Mary Thomas is the optimist. She attends a makeshift church service in the […]
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