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'On 19 November 1838 James Bell, then aged 21, set out in the sailing vessel the Planter from St Katharine Docks in London to travel to Adelaide, an infant colony half a world away and not yet two years old. He left behind family, good friends and the mysterious "C.P.", a young woman with whom he hoped one day to be reunited.
'The journey usually took 130 days, but due to the incompetence of the captain and the many misadventures encountered it took the Planter almost six months to reach its destination. Along the way it lost a crew, several passengers and much livestock; it gained a new crew and at least one extra passenger. The drunken brawls and licentious couplings horrified James Bell who, to while away the time, penned a detailed account of all the comings and goings for the eyes of "C.P." only, sternly advising her that "it must never be read by a third party".
'Sustained by his sense of adventure, his love of poetry, his faith in his Presbyterian God, his nostalgic memories of rural Scotland and particularly by his affection for "C.P.", James Bell maintained a vivid and astute record of his historic journey. His voice travels down to us, more than a century and a half later, and reminds us of the dangers and joys of such an adventurous leap into the unknown.' (From the publisher's website.)
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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[Untitled]
2013
single work
review
— Appears in: Reviews in Australian Studies , vol. 7 no. 6 2013;
— Review of Private Journal of a Voyage to Australia 1838-39 2011 single work diary -
Books
2012
single work
review
— Appears in: The Adelaide Review , February no. 384 2012; (p. 32)
— Review of Private Journal of a Voyage to Australia 1838-39 2011 single work diary -
In Short : Nonfiction
2012
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 4-5 February 2012; (p. 35)
— Review of Wolf Creek 2011 single work criticism ; Private Journal of a Voyage to Australia 1838-39 2011 single work diary -
Lost Treasure Surfaces After Years
2011
single work
review
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 24 December 2011; (p. 19)
— Review of Private Journal of a Voyage to Australia 1838-39 2011 single work diary -
Non-Fiction
2011
single work
review
— Appears in: The Saturday Age , 10 December 2011; (p. 32)
— Review of Private Journal of a Voyage to Australia 1838-39 2011 single work diary
-
Non-Fiction
2011
single work
review
— Appears in: The Saturday Age , 10 December 2011; (p. 32)
— Review of Private Journal of a Voyage to Australia 1838-39 2011 single work diary -
Lost Treasure Surfaces After Years
2011
single work
review
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 24 December 2011; (p. 19)
— Review of Private Journal of a Voyage to Australia 1838-39 2011 single work diary -
In Short : Nonfiction
2012
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 4-5 February 2012; (p. 35)
— Review of Wolf Creek 2011 single work criticism ; Private Journal of a Voyage to Australia 1838-39 2011 single work diary -
Books
2012
single work
review
— Appears in: The Adelaide Review , February no. 384 2012; (p. 32)
— Review of Private Journal of a Voyage to Australia 1838-39 2011 single work diary -
[Untitled]
2013
single work
review
— Appears in: Reviews in Australian Studies , vol. 7 no. 6 2013;
— Review of Private Journal of a Voyage to Australia 1838-39 2011 single work diary