Adam Courtenay, son of famed Australian storyteller Bryce Courtenay and a well respected author in his own right, is heading to Raymond Terrace this week to discuss his new non-fiction book about the convict James Porter.
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Courtenay will introduce and speak about his new book, called The Ship That Never Was, at Raymond Terrace Library on Tuesday, March 12.
It is a free event that will run 2.30pm to 3.30pm.
The Ship That Never Was is a factual account of Porter's journey to Australia.
In 1823, Porter was convicted of stealing a stack of beaver furs and transported halfway around the world to Van Diemen's Land.
After several escape attempts from the notorious penal colony, Porter, who told authorities he was a 'beer-machine maker', was sent to Macquarie Harbour, known in Van Diemen's Land as hell on earth.
Many had tried to escape; few had succeeded.
When Governor George Arthur announced that the place would be closed and its prisoners moved to the new penal station of Port Arthur, Porter, along with a motley crew of other prisoners, pulled off an audacious escape.
Wresting control of the ship they'd been building to transport them to their fresh hell, the escapees instead sailed all the way to Chile.
What happened next is stranger than fiction.
There will be an opportunity to purchase a copy of Courtenay’s book on Tuesday.
He will also be available for signings.
While it is a free event, bookings are essential as places are limited.
Phone Raymond Terrace Library on (02) 4988 0111.