Bennelong - Visit To England

Visit To England

Bennelong and also the another Aborigine named Yemmerrawanie (or Imeerawanyee) travelled with Phillip to England in 1792. Many historians have claimed that they were presented to King George III, but there is no direct evidence that this occurred. although soon after their arrival in England they were hurriedly made clothes that would have been suitable for their presentation to the King.

Jack Brook reconstructs some of their activities from the expense claims lodged with the government. They visited St Paul's Cathedral and the Tower of London. A boat was hired, and they went bathing. They went to the theatre. While in London they resided with Henry Waterhouse, and when Yemmerrawanie became sick, they moved to Eltham and resided at the house of Edward Kent where they were tended by Mr and Mrs Phillips, and met Lord Sydney.

Yemmerrawanie died while in Britain after a serious chest infection, and Bennelong's health deteriorated. He returned to Sydney in February 1795 on HMS Reliance, the ship that took surgeon George Bass to the colony for the first time. He taught Bass some of his language on the voyage.