Travel by sea in the late 18th & early 19th centuries was arduous, uncomfortable, and at times extremely dangerous. Men, women and children faced months of uncertainty and deprivation in cramped quarters, with the ever-present threat of shipwreck, disease and piracy.

Passengers on ships could be officials, or the brides of officials, soldiers, or soldiers' wives, merchants, emigrants, convicts, indentured servants, slaves, debtors, stowaways, visitors - or invalids seeking a healthier climate.

Some of these individuals recorded their travel experiences in diaries and letters - and today these writings provide an invaluable insight into their lives and their shipboard experiences.

The reasons for this are varied, but among the practical considerations would have been the rolling and pitching of the ship, the dimness of the lanterns below decks, the distraction of other passengers, and, of course, seasickness.

The long journey between England and Australia via the ports of South America and/or the Cape of Good Hope was no exception. The number of accounts by men is quite extensive and many of these were kept by officials who were familiar with the requirements of record keeping.