The Surgeon's Eye

In The Surgeon's Eye, John Parkinson presents the journals of Dr. Richard Bowker. As ship's surgeon - and as seaman on a whaler in the Pacific, Dr. Bowker committed to paper his youthful adventures at sea and on land.

With wit and honesty, Dr. Bowker shares his experiences of sailing with immigrants from England, whaling for employment, and tending to "coolies" from Calcutta.

He speaks of the hardships of the days of sail, describes island natives and aptly satirizes the attitudes of captains and mates.

The Surgeon's Eye is a captivating account of the life at sea as a medical man who would go on to settle in New South Wales and leave his mark as doctor, politician and father of a medical dynasty.