David Howie: Devil or Saint by Buckby, Pauline - 2003

Jamala Press, 2003. 1st Edition . Soft cover. Near Fine/No Jacket. p/b 186 pages, condition is near fine. This is a long awaited biography of a man who became a household name in Australia in 1845. Researched over many years in England, Scotland and Australia the book tells the story of a man who became a legend in his country of forced adoption. As a man he was a deeply divided maze of contradiction and paradoxes, an angel of mercy to some while a mystery to others with his honest questioned. This is the story of his life; his family and the era in which he grew to manhood; his court trials and subsequent banishment from his homeland; his experiences half way across the world in an unknown and feared convict colony. The story is one of crime, passion, wrecked ships, attempted murder, sealers, pirates, aborigines, graft and incredible bravery. His life was one of challenge with unsubstantiated accusations, strife and rumoured misdeeds. It is also a story of cruelty in a chain gang and the rules imposed on prisoners for their crimes within the system. David Howe was presented with a gold medal by the grateful citizens of Melbourne after his rescue of the survivors of the Cataraqui wreck on King Island; Australia's worst sea tragedy on record. Awarded the title of Straits Constable by the government of the day in order to police the islands of Bass Strait, a title he took seriously and carried out to the letter. Who was this man? What happened to him?