About the book

St Helena Island Moreton Bay: An historical account recounts the human history of St Helena through the use of government documentation and those personal family papers that have survived the years. This lavishly illustrated book brings to life the island's rich history, from the early days of Aboriginal occupation and the European invasion, through to St Helena's current status as Queensland's first historical national park.

Particular attention is paid to the St Helena Penal Establishment, which operated between the years 1867 and 1932. The daily lives and personal histories of prisoners, warders and prison superintendents are revealed in print for the first time. You will discover just what it was like to live and work in a colonial-era prison – the day-to-day frustrations, the punishments, and the escape attempts.

Everyone on the island had a story to tell, and many of the most interesting are recorded in the book. Here you will read the tale of prisoner William Archer and warder Henry Dodd, murderer and victim respectively. And, of course, every prison has its escapes and escape attempts, and St Helena was no exception. The amusing story of the frustrated attempt by Henry Craig and David McIntyre was one such, and is told here in great detail.

Look into our past and you will be astonished at what you will find – particularly on St Helena.