Media: BOOK - paperback, 72 pages
Author: J. Fawcett
Year: 2005
Other: charts, illustrations, index
Publisher: Jenny Fawcett

For over a century and a half the myth has continued that the European who discovered and named Port Fairy was Captain James Wishart. But is was Captain Henry Wishart who named the port, for his cutter the 'Fairy', and it was Wishart's crew who first visited the bay whilst in search of convict absconders, who had stolen one of their valuable sealing craft from nearby Portland Bay.

'Captain Henry Wishart of Port Fairy Bay' by Jenny Fawcett, is a new release which finally reveals the story of Henry Wishart's discovery of Port Fairy, and follows his life in the colonial maritime industries of Australia. Through the use of contemporary government reports, newspapers, private journals and ledgers, Jenny's work on Wishart includes his discovery of Lady's Bay near Corner Inlet and his time ashore at Western Port in 1825.The work also follows Wishart's service in the sealing and whaling industries and provides an account of his being held hostage by Taranaki natives at New Zealand. The publication includes accounts of Isaac David Nichols, the 'Fairy's' owner (and son of Australia's first official postmaster) who accompanied Wishart to Port Fairy.

Port Fairy's history is studded with references to the bay being discovered by a 'James' Wishart. A plaque on a wall near the river records that this was the spot near where 'James' Wishart arrived in 1810 aboard the 'Fairy'. William Earle's 'Port Fairy' records that it was "early morning of April 25th, 1810 when the white wings of The Fairy cutter was observed by the natives to glide into and rest inside "the patches" of Port Fairy Bay". Tourism pamphlets and history publications also record that the bay was discovered by 'James' Wishart. For nearly two centuries articles and publications have continued the error when detailing who discovered and named Port Fairy.

'Captain Henry Wishart' rewrites the discovery of Port Fairy, and necessarily prompts a fresh look at our accepted versions of published history and raises the question - just how accurate are any of our publications on Australian history?

As well as including charts, illustrations and a index, this book includes a listing of crew who served with Wishart, and a list of vessels under the captain's command.

Payment must be made in Australian dollars, and can be paid by cheque or money order, and must accompany the order.

Cost of book: $25.00
Postage within Australia: $2.45
Overseas: email for quote

This title can be ordered direct from:
Jenny Fawcett
Email: jfawcett@genseek.net