From ship to shore: excerpts from shipboard diaries 1863-1947

From Ship to Shore is an exhibition of stories from shipboard diaries, dating back to the 1800s, from the State Library of Queensland’s John Oxley Library collection.

It is possible to hear the authors’ individual voices through the diaries selected for this exhibition – among the most intriguing in the State Library’s collection. Four of the diaries describe 19th Century immigration, another was written in the 1890s on board a South Sea Islander labour recruitment ship for Queensland’s sugar industry, and one is from a post-World War II immigration voyage.

Through the pages of these notebooks and journals, we are able to follow the lives and activities of men and women of different backgrounds, occupations and classes. We can take a glimpse of life above and below deck from the beginning of the Age of Sail to the influx of post-World War II migrants into Australia.

Details

Dead weight: 15kg (1 box)
Cubic weight: 26kg (1 box)
Box measurements: 67 L x 49 W x 31 H cm
No. of items: 20 panels
Floor space required: 7metres (double hung)
(NB: If there is limited space the panels could be displayed on carpet panels around the venue and not necessarily in one area of the venue.)

Conditions of use

All material must be returned in good condition.
Exhibition to be returned within five working days after use.
Any replacement costs due to loss or damage will be invoiced to the applicant/institution.
Acknowledgement of the State Library of Queensland to be displayed in a prominent position in the exhibition.
State Library of Queensland to be notified prior to the return of the exhibition.
Forward and return transport costs are the responsibility of the applicant.
Only one exhibition available to an institution at the one time.
Reproduction of items within the exhibition requires the written permission of the State Library of Queensland.

Online request form