The Long Farewell by Don Charlwood (3^rd edition 2000)

The author read more than 120 diaries kept by immigrants on the long sailing ship voyages to Australia, and numerous letters the settlers wrote home. He tells about the perils, the ships and their routes, accommodation on board, surgeons and health, messing and dining, pastimes and consolations, the crew and the new shore. 

Winner of the NSW Premier's Literary Awards' Ethnic Affairs Commission Award in 1982.

Paperback, 324 pages, many photographs and illustrations (B&W), preface, comprehensive index, three shipboard diaries (edited). AUD$26.50 plus freight

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Settlers Under Sail by Don Charlwood (4^th edition, 2002)

Commissioned by the Victorian (Australia) Government's History Advisory Council to commemorate, in 1978, the centenary of the wreck of the Loch Ard, this book celebrates the era of sailing ship immigration to Australia and tells the story of the famous Loch Ard. It contains many fascinating photos and sketches.

Paperback, 49 pages, many photographs and illustrations (colour and B&W), AUD$12.50 plus freight.

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Wrecks and Reputations by Don Charlwood (3^rd edition, 2000)

The most thoroughly researched account of the wrecks of two sailing ships on the Victorian (Australia) coast -- the Loch Ard in 1878, and the Schomberg in 1855. The Loch Ard story, which tells of the two survivors, is well known to all who visit the Shipwreck Coast. The Schomberg was the finest clipper Britain built and she was lost on her maiden voyage by the famous master 'Bully' Forbes.

Paperback, 194 pages, photographs (B&W); author's note, appendices, epilogue, index. $20.50 plus freight. 

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Loch Ard Centenary 1878 - 1978 (audio cassette, 2001)

A recording of the oration given during wild weather in the Loch Ard Gorge (Victoria, Australia) by author and historian, Don Charlwood. The oration, in June 1978, marked the centenary of the wreck of the Loch Ard. The cassette also has the family recollections of Robert Townshend (of England), the grandson of Eva Carmichael. Miss Carmichael was one of only two survivors of the wreck of the Loch Ard.

Approx 30 minute recording (same program both sides); original recordings with introduction. AUD$5.50 plus freight

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The 1863 Shipboard Diary of Edward Charlwood -- from England to Australia (2003)

This beautiful book is a facsimile reproduction of the elegantly handwritten diary of 27-year-old Edward, accompanying his bride to her new land. It is an entertaining and informative account of their voyage onboard the Suffolk -- a voyage similar to that taken by the many immigrants of the sailing ship era.

Paperback, 42 pages, colour facsimile of original handwritten diary. AUD$22.50 plus freight

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The Wreck of the Sailing Ship Netherby -- A Miracle of Survival by Don Charlwood

The Wreck of the Sailing Ship Netherby is the story of an 1866 shipwreck on the western coast of King Island, in southern Australia. It tells of a near miracle, vividly related by three different participants. Here was a ship with 413 emigrant passengers and a crew of 38, impaled by night on serrated reefs not far from the 1845 remains of the Cataraqui. The Cataraqui had lost 399 lives. The senior officers of the Netherby were instrumental in saving the lives of all those aboard their vessel, plus a baby born on the island to one of the rescued passengers!

Paperback 48 pages; Foreword; appendices including passenger list. Photographs and maps (B & W, and colour). AUD$15.50 plus freight

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The Cataraqui -- Australia's Worst Shipwreck by Andrew Lemon and Marjorie Morgan (published by Australian Scholarly Publishing, Collingwood, Australia, 2^nd edition, 1995)

Australia's worst civil disaster -- a sailing ship stranded only 150 yards off the deserted shore of King Island, isolated by rows of reefs; victims clinging, for up to two days, to the disintegrating vessel. The story of the horrific 1845 shipwreck -- 400 died; nine were miraculously rescued.

Now out of print, expected reprint late 2008. Register your interest here.

All book prices are inclusive of GST (Goods and Services Tax)