person or book cover
Image courtesy of Allen & Unwin
y separately published work icon Private Journal of a Voyage to Australia 1838-39 single work   diary   travel  
Issue Details: First known date: 2011... 2011 Private Journal of a Voyage to Australia 1838-39
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'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

    • Crows Nest, North Sydney - Lane Cove area, Sydney Northern Suburbs, Sydney, New South Wales,: Allen and Unwin , 2011 .
      person or book cover
      Image courtesy of Allen & Unwin
      Extent: xvii, 202p.p.
      Description: facsims
      Note/s:
      • Publication date: December 2011.
      • Includes bibliographical references (p. 201-202)
      • Includes an introduction and epilogue by Anthony Laube.
      ISBN: 9781742377957 (hbk.)

Works about this Work

[Untitled] Paul Burns , 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 James Bell , 2011 single work diary
Books David Sornig , 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 James Bell , 2011 single work diary
In Short : Nonfiction Bruce Elder , 2012 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 4-5 February 2012; (p. 35)

— Review of Wolf Creek Sonya Hartnett , 2011 single work criticism ; Private Journal of a Voyage to Australia 1838-39 James Bell , 2011 single work diary
Lost Treasure Surfaces After Years Robert Willson , 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 James Bell , 2011 single work diary
Non-Fiction Steven Carroll , 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 James Bell , 2011 single work diary
Non-Fiction Steven Carroll , 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 James Bell , 2011 single work diary
Lost Treasure Surfaces After Years Robert Willson , 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 James Bell , 2011 single work diary
In Short : Nonfiction Bruce Elder , 2012 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 4-5 February 2012; (p. 35)

— Review of Wolf Creek Sonya Hartnett , 2011 single work criticism ; Private Journal of a Voyage to Australia 1838-39 James Bell , 2011 single work diary
Books David Sornig , 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 James Bell , 2011 single work diary
[Untitled] Paul Burns , 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 James Bell , 2011 single work diary
Last amended 15 Oct 2012 14:44:50
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