James Bell’s diary lay in obscurity for about 170 years and then was amazingly found on a market stall. and auctioned at Bonham’s, where it was acquired by the State Library of South Australia. He died a year after arrival in Adelaide, from a ‘brain infection’.
Though intended only for the eyes of his beloved in England, this diary written by James Bell, passenger on the voyage of the ship Planter to Australia in 1838, provides a unique insight into the experience of sailing to Australia in the middle of the Nineteenth Century. An invaluable addition to the history of the emigrant ships to Australia.
Purchased by the State Library of SA and published by Allen and Unwin. The book will be launched this week at the State Library of SA.
To read more about the State Library’s acquisition of the diary click here
To read Allen and Unwin’s publisher’s page with a link to Google preview click here
To view Library holdings of the book click here
