Between 1838 and 1849, the remote British outpost of Port Essington in North Australia stood as a lonely, fragile village on the fringes of the empire. Derek Pugh chronicles the extraordinary struggle of the Royal Marines and their families who endured a harsh existence defined by malaria, scurvy, cyclones, and intense isolation. While the settlement initially saw moments of colonial conviviality—complete with regattas, cricket matches, and garden-grown pineapples—these were soon overshadowed by a relentless cycle of hardship and heartbreak. Guided by the stoic Captain John McArthur, the residents faced a landscape that felt like the edge of the world. This meticulously researched history draws upon personal diaries, reports, and archaeological insights to paint a vivid picture of human resilience. It is an evocative account of a doomed endeavour, capturing the poignant reality of a community whose primary occupation eventually became the digging of graves. Through the experiences of those who lived, died, and interacted with the local Iwaidja people, this book offers an intimate look at one of history’s most challenging and atmospheric colonial experiments.
Used (good, see images, some cover wear, signed by author, and some initial pages folding) Softcover ISBN 9780648142171
