There Were Three Ships

"Rescued from oblivion ... a fascinating piece of Australian history."

– Professor Russel Ward, academic and author ‘The Australian Legend’.

"Illuminates another page in the often heroic account of the pioneers."

– Marsden Horden, best-selling maritime author.

With the gold rush ended, three shiploads of European settlers sail for a magnificent, isolated bay in 1864 to establish a Utopia. But the oldest continent strikes back at the intruders through its climate, terrain and first people.

Here for the first time is the full story of the ill-fated Camden Harbour expedition.

What was the secret that great-grandfather took to the grave? What was the glittering promise for 124 men, women and children that condemned some to their deaths in a sub-tropical wilderness and marked the lives of all?

It is near the end of a tumultuous year – the American Civil War rages, Lincoln wins a second term, Maori wars flare in New Zealand and a Prussian army invades Denmark. Three sailing ships weigh anchor in the south-east of Australia, the ancient but still largely unknown land settled by Great Britain less than 80 years earlier.

SAILING ADVENTURE TO AN UNKNOWN TERRITORY

Their destination is a remote bay in the vast, sparsely populated colony of Western Australia, then just 35 years old.

“Sound, comprehensive, full of human interest, as well as historical insight.’’ – Professor FRANK BROEZE, past president, International Commission of Maritime History.

“The story of the ill-fated and short-lived Camden Harbour settlement has not yet been told before . . . The style of writing is fluent and pacy, his descriptions vivid, the character sketches fine.”

Camden Harbour, in a region with mysterious Aboriginal art hidden deep in cave galleries in its sandstone escarpments, is still barely visited today. Yet early explorers gave it glowing praise.

The explorers on this sailing adventure face a longer journey than voyaging from Southampton to New York. The promise to the families on board is simple and alluring. This is a chance to become land barons on one of Australia's sun-blasted last frontiers.

CONFRONTATION WITH ABORIGINAL AUSTRALIA

In reality, they battle a treacherous coast, fiercely independent Aboriginal people protecting their homeland, a searing sun and harsh terrain.

Winner of the Fellowship of Australian Writers' Local History Award.

“Homes for the million!” is an early catchcry for the region The adventurers naively pay up to join the ships – and eventually pay the price for sailing to the far-off Kimberley coast.

The potential pickings are all too tempting for two promoters – one appointed by the Queen of England – seeking their own glory.

This is a travel guide to 19th century Western Australia, covering the story of the Kimberley region of WA, including its rich Aboriginal tradition, and the advance of incoming Europeans. With maps, illustrations and relevant emigration and shipping lists.

The Camden Harbour expedition is also an enthralling piece of maritime history.

“An emigration over 3,750 miles in the mid-19th century would usually be assumed to be an Atlantic Ocean crossing to America. That the Camden Harbour emigration was from one part of Australia to the far north-west of the land, underlines the sheer size of the country.” – ALAN CAMERON, Lloyd's List International.

“An easy narrative style … a readable history.” – STATE LIBRARY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

For a slice of forgotten history, packed with well-researched detail, scroll back to the top and click the buy button.