High Seas & High Teas: Voy aging to Austr alia

An illuminating porthole on the unforgiving sea voyages endured by emigrants from England to Australia between 1787 and 1900, as described by passengers in diaries held in the manuscripts collection of the National Library of Australia. Surprisingly well prepared for the journeys, which took at least 100 days, Russell’s fascinating characters include Caroline Chisholm, she of the lace bonnet on a five-dollar note. Privately assisting emigrants by sponsoring them and simulating conditions at sea at a land depot before departure, she later found them shelter and employment. While first-class passengers ate a dinner of mock turtle soup, jugged hare, beef scallops, giblet pie, stewed oxtail, curry and rice, roast beef and goose at one sitting, steerage passengers in the lowest rung topped and tailed two to a hammock, and were charged for milk and soap. Crisply researched and lavishly illustrated with colour plates.