The Long Farewell

During the 19th century more than a million people, many of whom had never ventured beyond their homes in Britain, sailed to the new colonies of Australia. On their months-long voyage the emigrants lived in a state of limbo - isolated, belonging neither to the old world nor to the new, and living in fear of icebergs, fever and storms. Drawing on a wealth of contemporary records, Don Charlwood evokes their experiences: the physical dangers, stress, boredom and personalities of travellers on their way to a new life.

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.