Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Highgate, S. Aust. : H. Schubert, 1997.
Description
As he stood on the upper deck of the ship leaving harbour, August Kavel faced a daunting task. It was 1838. The people with him were religious refugees from Prussia headed for South Australia, and he was their pastor. They looked to him as a strong leader. They expected him to be their spokesman, counsellor, teacher, and guide. Based on documents and articles of those times, Kavel's People presents fascinating detail of the intriguing story of these people -- their persecution in Prussia, their voyage, and their settlement in a new land. They (and others to follow) were destined to make a significant and unique contribution to the history of South Australia.
Local notes
George Angas decided to personally provide funding to Kavel and the Klemzig group. Four ships were chartered on their behalf: the Prince George, the Bengalee, the Zebra and the Catharina. The Prince George and the Bengalee left Hamburg on 8 July 1838 with about 250 of the emigrants. They travelled to Plymouth, where they picked up Pastor Kavel, and then continued on their journey until they arrived in Port Adelaide on 20 November 1838. The Zebra left in August 1838 with 187 on board and arrived in Holdfast Bay on 28 December. Eleven people, six adults and five children, died on the trip. The Catharina left in September 1838 and arrived in January 1839. In all, this group of ships transported 596 migrants from Prussia to Australia.