Pierre Bernard Milius (2-Volume Set) [English / French] Last Commander of the Baudin Expedition - The Journal (1800-1804) / Le Dernier Commandant de l'Expédition Baudin - Le Journal (1800-1804)

About this book

Language: Bilingual in English and French

Pierre Bernard Milius owes his fame to the Nicolas Baudin expedition of 1800–1804. On 19 October 1800, Baudin and his large group of scientists left Le Havre in two ships, the Géographe and the Naturaliste to survey the coast of New Holland and the southern part of New Guinea and conduct scientific investigations as well as collect living and preserved specimens of plants and animals. Milius was promoted to commander of the Géographe following the death of Baudin.

The journal of Pierre Bernard Milius is a rare opportunity to bring to life an important but lesser-known chapter in the history of the discovery and exploration of Australia.

Milius first touched land in Australia in Geographe Bay in the south-west, and then in the Swan River district where he took a longboat ashore and was wrecked on Cottesloe Beach. Here he repaired his boat using local resources such as 'stringy bark for caulking' and resin and gum for sealing the seams. At Cottesloe, Milius noted children's footprints in the sand and shell-fish debris that pointed to the presence of Aboriginal people.

Milius' fascinating and detailed journal entries for his 'Sojourn at Port Jackson' from 25April to 22 July 1802 can be read here in English for the first time. Milius includes vivid descriptions of Sydney Town, Parramatta, and the Hawkesbury region, and his journal includes accomplished pencil images and watercolours. He records meetings with Governor King, Colonel Paterson, Captain Flinders and the infamous George Barrington. Pierre Bernard Milius, Last Commander of the Baudin Expedition makes accessible an immensely valuable historic record. This fascinating journal has never before been translated into English.

Presented in an attractive slipcase with a French sister volume containing a new transcription of the Journal.

Customer Reviews