Brian Stace grew up in Adelaide and gained his law degree at the Adelaide University before marrying and moving almost immediately to Devonport, Tasmania, where he has lived for over 50 years. With all his siblings still living in South Australia, Brian (and his family) have frequently visited Adelaide and retained an interest in all things South Australian. He worked as a lawyer in Devonport for 40 years, mainly in commercial and local government law.
About 20 years ago Brian learned that his great-great-grandfather Joseph Stace had arrived in South Australia as an early pioneer. As his interest in family history developed, Brian found that his ancestor Joseph Stace appeared to be a remarkably interesting character and had arrived on the Coromandel. Brian then developed an obsession of learning all he could about the Coromandel, its voyage and all who sailed on it. This book evolved from that.
William (Bill) Othams was born in Adelaide. Subsequent sojourns in various South Australian country towns culminated in Bill also qualifying and working as a lawyer for 42 years, the last 41 at Port Pirie.
Since his childhood Bill has had an interest in history, and he always enjoyed undertaking the research required in his legal career. Bill also discovered that his name-sake ancestor on the Coromandel was a fascinating character. In August 2012 he read an article by Brian Stace, realised that Brian's project was an opportunity to pursue both his historical and research interests, offered Brian his assistance and this book is the outcome.