Watkin Tench (1758-1833) joined the Royal Marines in 1776 as a second lieutenant and served on the Nonsuch in the American War of Independence. He then served on the Mermaid, was captured, and served three months as a prisoner of war in Maryland.
Then in 1786, with the war over, he volunteered for a three year tour to the convict colony to be established at Botany Bay. He sailed with the first fleet as lieutenant-captain in the Royal Marines on the Charlotte and served in the new colony at Port Jackson from the time it was established in 1788 until he returned to England in 1791 on the Gorgon.
Tench took a keen interest in all aspects of life in the new colony and recorded, in these two books, what he saw and experienced in a detailed and entertaining way. He included reference to the land itself, the native people and the plants and animals. Watkin Tench completed his career in the Royal Marines in 1816 with the rank of Major General.
His two books are;
- A narrative of the expedition to Botany Bay, : with an account of New South Wales, its productions, inhabitants, To which is subjoined, a list of civil and military establishments at Port Jackson. Published Debrett 1789, and
- A complete account of the settlement at Port Jackson, in New South Wales: including an accurate description of the situation of the colony; of the natives; and of its natural productions. Published Nicol and Sewell, 1793. (Note this publication was financed by subscription)
