Jonathan Binns Were (1809–1885)
Author of A Voyage From Plymouth to Melbourne in 1839 the Shipboard and Early Melbourne Diary
Works by Jonathan Binns Were
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Canonical name
- Were, Jonathan Binns
- Birthdate
- 1809-04-25
- Date of death
- 1885-12-06
- Gender
- male
- Nationality
- UK
Australia - Birthplace
- Wellington, Somerset, UK
- Places of residence
- Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Brighton, Victoria, Australia - Occupations
- Stockbroker
Trader
Justice of the Peace - Awards and honors
- Order of St Michael and St George (Companion)
Members
Reviews
Statistics
- Works
- 1
- Members
- 14
- Popularity
- #739,559
- Rating
- 4.0
- Reviews
- 2
- ISBNs
- 3
This is his account of the voyage to the new colony as related in a journal to his brother back in England. Not exhaustive, by which I mean, not every minute detail of every day onboard is recorded, but an interesting series of observations about daily shipboard life, the voyage and landfall in the newly emerging town of Melbourne. I found the description of several deaths, particularly infants, during the voyage gave an interesting picture of just how harsh, but commonplace, conditions were in those days. Also, being from Melbourne, the picture painted of the early township and the wider district of Port Phillip including William Town, Sandridge, Geelong etc gave the account a great local flavour.
Unfortunately it is only a short account but there is enough to grab anyone interested in this period. My only complaint, it wasn't long enough.… (more)