A Maritime History Discovery in a Historic Homestead at Braidwood
Updated: Apr 9
Federation of Australian Historical Societies (FAHS) Newsletter No. 53
June 2022
Abstract
This article recounts a significant maritime history discovery within the historic homestead of ‘Bedervale’ at Braidwood, where a rare navigational text reveals connections between domestic collections and global seafaring networks. Through close examination of material evidence, the piece traces the life and career of Captain John Coghill and the enduring presence of his maritime past within a landed colonial setting.
Focusing on a copy of James Horsburgh’s Directions for Sailing, the article explores how physical traces, such as sailcloth binding and water staining- offer insight into the book’s use at sea and its journey into a domestic collection. It also situates the work of Horsburgh within the broader history of navigation, chart-making, and maritime knowledge in the Indo-Pacific world.
The article reflects on how objects within historic house collections can illuminate layered histories of movement, trade, and knowledge, revealing unexpected connections between place, memory, and global exchange.