About the Book
The riveting story of one of the most calamitous voyages in
Australian history, the plague-stricken sailing ship Ticonderoga that left
England for Victoria with 800 doomed emigrants on board.
For more than a century and a half, a grim tale has passed down through Michael
Veitch's family: the story of the Ticonderoga, a clipper ship that sailed from
Liverpool in August 1852, crammed with poor but hopeful emigrants- mostly
Scottish victims of the Clearances and the potato famine. A better life, they
believed, awaited them in Australia.
Three months later, a ghost ship crept into Port Phillip Bay flying the dreaded
yellow flag of contagion. On her horrific three-month voyage, deadly typhus had
erupted, killing a quarter of Ticonderoga's passengers and leaving many more
desperately ill. Sharks, it was said, had followed her passage as the victims
were buried at sea.
Panic struck Melbourne. Forbidden to dock at the gold-boom town, the ship was
directed to a lonely beach on the far tip of the Mornington Peninsula, a place
now called Ticonderoga Bay.
James William Henry Veitch was the ship's assistant surgeon, on his first
appointment at sea. Among the volunteers who helped him tend to the sick and dying
was a young woman from the island of Mull, Annie Morrison. What happened
between them on that terrible voyage is a testament to human resilience, and to
love.
Michael Veitch is their great-great-grandson, and Hell Ship is his brilliantly
researched narrative of one of the biggest stories of its day, now all but
forgotten. Broader than his own family's story, it brings to life the hardships
and horrors endured by those who came by sea to seek a new life in Australia.
For more than a century and a half, a grim tale has passed down through Michael
Veitch's family: the story of the Ticonderoga, a clipper ship that sailed from
Liverpool in August 1852, crammed with poor but hopeful emigrants- mostly
Scottish victims of the Clearances and the potato famine. A better life, they
believed, awaited them in Australia.
Three months later, a ghost ship crept into Port Phillip Bay flying the dreaded yellow flag of contagion. On her horrific three-month voyage, deadly typhus had erupted, killing a quarter of Ticonderoga's passengers and leaving many more desperately ill. Sharks, it was said, had followed her passage as the victims were buried at sea.
Panic struck Melbourne. Forbidden to dock at the gold-boom town, the ship was directed to a lonely beach on the far tip of the Mornington Peninsula, a place now called Ticonderoga Bay.
James William Henry Veitch was the ship's assistant surgeon, on his first appointment at sea. Among the volunteers who helped him tend to the sick and dying was a young woman from the island of Mull, Annie Morrison. What happened between them on that terrible voyage is a testament to human resilience, and to love.
Michael Veitch is their great-great-grandson, and Hell Ship is his brilliantly researched narrative of one of the biggest stories of its day, now all but forgotten. Broader than his own family's story, it brings to life the hardships and horrors endured by those who came by sea to seek a new life in Australia.
Three months later, a ghost ship crept into Port Phillip Bay flying the dreaded yellow flag of contagion. On her horrific three-month voyage, deadly typhus had erupted, killing a quarter of Ticonderoga's passengers and leaving many more desperately ill. Sharks, it was said, had followed her passage as the victims were buried at sea.
Panic struck Melbourne. Forbidden to dock at the gold-boom town, the ship was directed to a lonely beach on the far tip of the Mornington Peninsula, a place now called Ticonderoga Bay.
James William Henry Veitch was the ship's assistant surgeon, on his first appointment at sea. Among the volunteers who helped him tend to the sick and dying was a young woman from the island of Mull, Annie Morrison. What happened between them on that terrible voyage is a testament to human resilience, and to love.
Michael Veitch is their great-great-grandson, and Hell Ship is his brilliantly researched narrative of one of the biggest stories of its day, now all but forgotten. Broader than his own family's story, it brings to life the hardships and horrors endured by those who came by sea to seek a new life in Australia.
My Thoughts
My interest in history comes with little thanks to the education
I received in my youth. My recollection of those classes was learning about
important events by memorising dates, geography and not much else. It was
boring!
What we needed was books like HELL SHIP. Veitch has done a
wonderful job with his well researched account of not only the horrendous journey
of the Ticonderoga from the UK to Australia but the multitude of economic and
political circumstances that made such journeys a necessity for so many people.
Veitch’s initial interest obviously lies in the fact that
his ancestors were on the Ticonderoga but his focus is broader than just his
family. The result is a comprehensive and integrated narrative that made me
feel invested in this journey and the people undertook it.
Audio: I listened to the audio version of this book which is
narrated by the author. The narration was well-paced and intelligible but there
is a part of me that wishes a narrator with more of a dramatic flair had been
used. And yes, I say this even knowing
the author’s CV.
About the Author
Michael Veitch describes himself in just two words: ‘actor’ and ‘writer’. Actually, add ‘broadcaster’. Three words. Hm, better throw in TV Presenter. How many’s that? Definitely not more than, say, five words. Maybe more. He does a lot of things.
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