Edward Charlwood, whose 1863 shipboard diary this is, was the fourth son of Arthur and Phoebe Charlwood. Having emigrated in 1850 from England to Australia with his family as a boy aged 15, he returned at least twice to England: first during the Crimean War, and again, at 27 to marry Hepzibah. Returning home to Australia with his bride, he kept this diary.
At the time of their journey back to Australia on the 'Suffolk', Edward, then aged 27, speaks of his return as 'going home', while his new bride was confused and melancholy as she set out into the unknown.
The diary starts off with ... "Monday June 23rd, Sarah Heppie and I leave London Bridge Station for Gravesend by 12.20 train, and arrive there at 1.7. get a Porter to take our luggage down to the Pier and there I see Garner and Abbott, Printers Melbourne, waiting to see us off ..."
And ends with ... "Wednesday September 9th, Very fierce squalls last night, soon after we 'turned in' passengers uneasy and anxious. On deck early in the morning, land in sight ... We anchor off Sandridge at 1p.m. and are received with tumultuous cheering from the assembled thousands on the pier and beach ..."
This facsimile reproduction (which is actual images of the original diary pages, not just a transcription), is not only a facinating insight to what life was like on a journey out to Australia, but also into the whole social history of the time. The pages have been enlarged from the originals, and combined with the very neat cursive handwriting, is very easy to read.
A great record, and a great read.
