Discussion: 1788

Author: Watkin Tench

Description: 1788 by Watkin Tench is a detailed firsthand account of the First Fleet’s journey to Australia and the early days of the penal colony in New South Wales. Tench, a British marine officer, records the hardships of settlement, interactions with Indigenous Australians, and the challenges of survival. Written with wit and keen observation, the book provides rare insights into life in the late 18th century. Unlike many official reports, Tench’s narrative is engaging and humanistic, offering an invaluable perspective on colonial history, cultural encounters, and the struggles of one of Britain’s most ambitious penal experiments.

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