Three Sheets to the Wind

by Adam Courtenay

How a motley crew of merchant seamen walked 600 miles to save 7000 gallons of rum

By the bestselling author of The Ship That Never Was When, in 1796, Calcutta-based Scottish merchants Campbell & Clark dispatched an Indian ship hurriedly renamed the Sydney Cove to the colony of New South Wales, they were hoping to make their fortune. The ship's speculative cargo was comprised of all kinds of goods to entice the new colony's inhabitants, including 7000 gallons of rum. The merchants were planning to sell the liquor to the Rum Corp, which ruled the fledgling colony with an iron grip, despite the recent arrival of Governor John Hunter. But when the Sydney Cove went down north of Van Diemen's Land, cargo master William Clark and sixteen other crew members were compelled to walk 600 miles to Sydney Town to get help to save the rest of the crew and the precious goods. Assisted by at least six Indigenous clans on his journey, Clark saw far more of the country than Joseph Banks ever did, and his eventual report to Governor Hunter led to far-reaching consequences for the fledgling colony. And the rum? Some of it was saved. By the bestselling author of The Ship That Never Was and The Ghost and the Bounty Hunter , Three Sheets to the Wind is a rollicking account of a little-known event that changed the course of Australian history.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, History, Historical

320 pages, Paperback

Published February 7, 2023

About the author

Adam Courtenay is a Sydney-based writer and journalist. He has had a long career in the UK and Australia, writing for papers such as the Financial Times, the Sydney Morning Herald, the Australian Financial Review and the UK Sunday Times. He is the son of Australia's best-loved storyteller Bryce Courtenay and the author of several Australian histories, including The Ship that Never Was, Three Sheets to the Wind and Mr Todd's Marvel.

Reviews

[Sue Gerhardt Griffiths · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three Sheets to the Wind is a 2022 historical non-fiction book by Adam Courtenay.

Real-life history books aren't really my cup of tea however, Adam Courtenay’s novels are just so fascinating and educational you can’t help but pick one up, they keep you engaged from beginning to end. Come to think of it I’m pretty sure Adam’s books are the only historical non-fiction novels I’ve read. I’ll have to go through my list to verify.

Be swept away with the gripping narrative and interesting information about the ship that was carrying a whacking great load of rum and the 600 mile walk to Sydney Town led by cargo master William Clark and 16 crew members.

Interested in Aussie history? Then this is definitely the book for you. Highly recommended

Listened to the audio via BorrowBox
Published by ABC Audio
Narrated by James Saunders
Duration: 7 hrs, 9 min. 1.25x Speed

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating audiobook. The story of the epic journey of a ship wreaked crew that travelled up the south-east coast of Australia and were assisted by indigenous groups along the way. The ship was carrying a huge cargo of Rum, which was the currency the Colony was using at the time and controlled by the NSW army corps also known as 'The Rum Corps'. 'The Rum Corps', lead by MacArthur they had numerous run-ins with the Governor of the time.
The SE coast of NSW, I know it really well and it was interesting hearing of the journey of the crew, travelling on foot, passing through indigenous areas. I heard indigenous names of the landscape that I hadn't heard before.
The book also covers a bit of Bass' discoveries and Flinders. Both parts of history that I don't know very well, particularly Bass.
If you are interested in Australian history, I'd highly recommend it.

[John Moir · Rating 5 out of 5]

To get to the nitty-gritty straightaway – this book is great reading. Though based on admirably researched fact (early times of British colonisation of Australia), the writer has managed to make it appear like adventurous, enjoyable fiction.
Included are fascinating insights into trading history combined with very impressive detail as to how Port Jackson was “governed” in the early years (and well and truly carried over into sailing terms as well). I’ve read many a book about sailing ships at sea but nothing as realistic and dramatic as this.
Apart from being historically informative, the story-tale mood of the book makes it a particularly enjoyable way to pick up so much of our early history, especially in the long (soul/sole-destroying) traipse up to Sydney.
Yes indeed, not to be missed!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this story, I found it most curious, and in parts equally bizarre, surprising, and tragic. How was it possible for a Scot like William Clark, setting out from Calcutta, to find himself stranded with 17 colleagues on a vast stretch of coastal territory south of the settlement of Sydney, with little hope of successfully completing his mission?

The narrative really comes into its own in the segments that detail the perilous crossing of this native coastline, where many indigenous tribes are encountered. The research is meticulous, and gives the reader a real feeling of what it must have been like- no easy task given the brevity of the only surviving 1st hand account of the journey.

Highly recommended, and thought provoking.

[Jeremy A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading this book and found it hard to put down. This is the true story of crew members of a merchant vessel mostly stocked with rum that is ship-wrecked en route to olde Sydney Town right at the beginning of the colonisation of Australia. A group of seamen set out to walk 600 miles to the nascent town of Sydney Cove and the story of survival and the surprising encounters with aboriginal tribes that ensues is a compelling tale indeed. While the adventure of the crew's efforts in the outback plays out, the author also outlines the state of the convict colony of Sydney at that time and the political battles of the colony's governor in combating the endemic corruption that was rooted in the British military's officers who managed an extortionate monopoly of the alcohol trade. Add to this, the geographical discoveries of the adventurers as they traveled over sea and land in their attempt to to save themselves, and you have a well-rounded thriller (that really happened) hitting its marks on various levels. Much to think about here. A riveting adventure story told with well-researched detail and sensitivity. A really worthwhile book on a very little known incident in Australian history.

[Nola B · Rating 5 out of 5]

From it's opening prologue ,"Three Sheets to the Wind" promises to be a tale of endurance, danger,adversity and adventure. It delivers on that promise and more. This is the true story of how and why in 1797, 17 men found themselves stranded on what is now called 90 -Mile Beach on the southern coast of Australia with no option but to try to walk to Sydney after their longboat sank. They had already endured so much. Their original ship, the "Sydney Cove" had gone down near enough to Preservation Island , that the crew and most of the cargo could be saved. The cargo that was destined to be sold in Sydney town included fine china, calico,a piano but most important of all was the 7000 gallons of rum. (The cargo also included rather strangely a cow , a horse ,some chickens and pigeons that were saved !) Interwoven with the story of the ship and her survivors, is the explanation of how the Rum Corps ran rough-shod over Governor Hunter in the early days of European settlement and therefore why the cargo of rum was so valuable. So, did the men make it ? Well, with the substantial help of at least 6 different Indigenous clans , some of them did. This is a fascinating tale, meticulously researched and beautifully written in a vivid style that immerses the reader in life 200 years ago.

[Dot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just finished reading Adam Courtenay’s book three sheets to the wind it is absolutely amazing.
Totally enjoyed it. Adam has a way of making you feel like you are part of the story.
Dot

[Lynne Benton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant ‘real life’ history - I had read virtually nothing of the Sydney Cove’s journey and had no clarity around the import trade story with India although I’ve read a few stories relating to the Macarthurs and the early years of Sydney .. I learnt a lot about Campbells, Clark, Preservation Island, marine history and interactions with Indigenous people. The descriptions of times at sea is staggering and fascinating .. whole story is so readable .. this book deserves to be read widely

[Ulysse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, local history, but very good and very revealing. And very readable. This one makes you wonder at how lucky we were not to end up a completely sodden police state...sort of like parts of Ireland back in the not too distant past, I suppose.

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating story of early colonial life in New South Wales.
As the colony was being effectively run by the "Rum Corp" (soldiers who monopolised the import and sale of rum), a firm in India decides to cash in of the demand for alcohol. Setting off from India they sail south below Australia (as Bass Straight had not been discovered yet) and up the East coast of Van Dieman's Land (Tasmania) heading for Port Jackson (Sydney).
Unfortunately a storm hits, they ship wreck on a small Island between Tasmania and the mainland. Seeking help, a small longboat sets sail for Sydney, but only makes it as far as the southern coast of (Now Victoria) at 90 mile beach. The survivors then trek overland to Sydney to seek help. If not for the kindness of the local indigenous people they would have died.
The book then covers the work of Bass and Flinders who using the knowledge of the survivors, set off to discover if Tasmania and Australia are seperate Islands and so discover "Bass Straight" and "Flinders Island".

[Sue Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three Sheets to the Wind is the rollicking tale of a motley bunch of enterprising speculators who hope to make their fortune by importing rum to the far-flung British colony of New South Wales that's pretty much founded on the stuff. Their plans go awry , however, when they're shipwrecked on a remote stretch of coast in the late 18th Century and face a long, lonely march to save their cargo and sell it at the port of Sydney. It's an amazing story that's inspersed with the history of the fledgling colony, its politics, its battles, its rivalries and the greed that always threatens to capsize it almost before it's begun. It's an enormously entertaining and riveting read, and packed with a wealth of fascinating facts about the early days of Australia, and the men who helped create it -- and nearly destroy it. Highly recommended!

[Kris McCracken · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Three Sheets to the Wind” by Adam Courtenay is a gripping tale that dives into a fascinating slice of Australian history. The book follows a group of merchant seamen who, after their ship Sydney Cove was wrecked off the coast of Tasmania in 1797, embarked on an incredible 600-mile journey to Sydney to save 7,000 gallons of rum.

Courtenay does a great job of capturing the hardship these men faced, from battling the elements to navigating treacherous terrain. His storytelling is rich with historical detail and personal anecdotes, making you feel like you’re right there with them. The way he highlights the assistance they received from various Aboriginal Nations adds depth and humanity to the story. It’s a compelling read that brings history to life and is perfect for anyone interested in maritime adventures or Australian history.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 1/2

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book about a voyage from India to Sydney and a cargo of rum in the very early days of European settlement in New South Wales. The ship was wrecked and what follows is an account of death and survival of the crew, some of whom made it to Sydney. I knew very little about the early history of European settlement in what was to become Australia, the three books that I have read by Adam Courtenay have greatly added to my knowledge. A very readable account of a remarkable adventure.

[Chris Freudenstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very readable history. The story of the Sydney Cove is combined with a telling Hunter's period as Governor of the NSW colony.

[Michael Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Staggering that so few people are even aware of this story.

[Adrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy, enjoyable read that opens up stories never taught in Australian schools about the early colony’s realities, as well as the relations between the British, Indian and indigenous peoples.

[Cher · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was good just dry subject matter but I learnt stuff

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that presents amazing Australian historical information, about a group of wrecked sailors who hiked from Lakes Entrance on the Ninety Mile Beach to Sydney in 1897. The percentage who made it is small, but they would not have made it without the active assistance of the native people, some of whom were helpful and others weren't. But it did show all that we have now learnt about their relationship to the territory in which they lived, their languages and their relationship to the next tribes in the area. In some ways the book is rather disjointed as it also deals with the Governship of Governor Hunter and the NSW Corps and the Rum Rebellion. On reflection this is a logical fit as the sailors were from a ship that was wrecked in Bass Strait with a cargo of among other things a lot of rum and other grog, some of what was later retreived and sold in Sydney. The highlight of the book to me was the walk from the Ninety Mile Beach to Sydney, but the group also found the coal lying on the beach south of Sydney and even burnt some to keep them warm. This is an interfesting book that significantly adds to our some of knowledge to our early days of Sydney settlement of Australia, and if for no oter reason, its worth a read.

[Jessica Mudditt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually felt transported to 18th-century Sydney as I read this fascinating tale. It was a time when Sydney didn't even have a currency, rum was wildly popular, there were convicts roaming the streets and it was half built (at best). I felt so sorry for the Lascars who had the most terrible time and were actually worked to death in some instances. People back then put up with great hardships that I found difficult to imagine. The relationship with the 'motherland' UK was entertaining to learn about - and the wheels turned slowly with the delays of communications and orders sent by sea. It's a tale of hardship and adventure and I loved Courtenay's observations on what makes a person a 'discover' of a place. The insights into the first interactions between Indigenous peoples and the explorers were so interesting. It is thoroughly readable from the first page to the last.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laughed a lot with this one.