Cirrus@Austlit

19th-Century Australian Travel Writing

Thomas Braidwood Wilson (1792-1843) was a surgeon in the Royal Navy and Member of the Royal Geographical Society. Wilson's Narrative of a Voyage Round the World was written shortly after the events described in his travel narrative occurred, however he was unable to publish the work until seven years later. Providing an extensive description of Australia and its coasts, the work described Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, provided a dictionary of terms, assessed transportation, the convict system and the usefulness of the missions, and also provided an account of Wilson's river travel through Australia. Although Wilson visited Sydney and Hobart, Western Australia was the primary focus. The conclusion of the work functions as an emigrant guide, with particular reference to agriculture and farming.

Long title: Narrative of a Voyage Round the World; Comprehending an Account of the Wreck of the Ship "Governor Ready," In Torres Straits; A Description of the British Settlements on the Coasts of New Holland, More Particularly Raffles Bay, Melville Island, Swan River, and King George's Sound; Also, the Manners and Customs of the Aboriginal Tribes; With An Appendix, Containing Remarks on Transportation, the Treatment of Convicts During the Voyage and Advice to Persons Intending to Emigrate to the Australian Colonies.