Author(s): John Currey

History

The 1789 edition of 'The Voyage' contained the first account of the new colony of New South Wales to be given by its founder, Governor Arthur Phillip. Although not written by Phillip, the book was based largely on the governor's official dispatches to the home secretary, Lord Sydney. These long and comprehensive reports, worked into a chronological narrative by an anonymous editor, begin with a description of the voyage of the First Fleet and the landing at Botany Bay. They describe the exotic flora and fauna, Phillip's encounters with the Aboriginal people and his efforts to establish amity with them, his explorations around Port Jackson, and his attitude towards the transported convicts. This new edition, which presents the bulk of Phillip's contribution to the original, is illustrated by images from the first edition and by other artists of the First Fleet.