The First Fleet - 1788
Overcrowded Prisons and Petty Crimes
In England in the 1700's people were facing tough times. Many families were very poor and barely had enough food to eat. Some people stole food to feed their children or simply to survive. Many were caught and were placed in prison for simple crimes such as stealing a loaf of bread. The prisons began to get very full and the government realised that it had a problem. With prisons overcrowded and the rising costs of feeding and caring for prisoners, the government decided to set up a new settlement in New South Wales on the East coast of Australia which Captain James Cook had sailed along and mapped in 1770. They decided to send large numbers of convicts to live in this new land as a part of their punishment.
The First Fleet arrives at Botany Bay – then moves!
The First Fleet left England on the 13th May 1787. The following year in January 1788, a fleet of 11 ships landed in Botany Bay, in New South Wales, Australia. This was the place Captain James Cook has suggested for settlement but Captain Arthur Phillip quickly decided that it was not a good place to live because there was not enough fresh water and the soil was not good for growing crops. He moved the ships further north up the coast to Port Jackson. The fleet of ships arrived in Port Jackson on January the 26th 1788. We now celebrate Australia Day on this important date every year.
Amongst the 11 ships that made up the First Fleet there were 6 convict ships, 3 store ships, and 2 war ships. They carried 756 convicts (564 men and 192 women) and550 ship's crew and their families. There were only 23 deaths on the long difficult journey which had taken just over 8 months. Those who arrived safely were the first white people to settle in Australia. It is because of their hard work and endurance that the first colony was able to survive and grow to the point where it was self - sufficient.
The First Fleet
The First Fleet - Part 2
Spreading Out and Getting Hungry
Slowly after their arrival at Port Jackson, the ships were sent home to England. After 6 months only two ships, the Syrius and the Supply remained. Initially the colony had to rely on supplies of food, clothing and equipment from their ships. When these began to run low, one of the ships, the Syrius, was sent to South Africa to collect more supplies.
Norfolk Island
Some convicts were sent to a new settlement on Norfolk Island where it was easier to grow food because the soil was better but it was hard to ship this food to the Sydney settlement because of the rocky cliffs around Norfolk Island.
Rose Hill
The colony started to explore the land around them and another settlement was set up at Rose Hill on the Parramatta river. Although it was difficult to grow food there, eventually the settlement was successful. As transport was limited, this still didn't help the Sydney settlement much.
Shipwreck
In February 1790 the Syrius was sent to China for more supplies but it was wrecked off the coast of Norfolk Island, leaving the settlement with only one ship.
Food was scarce and the colony were desperate. They only had about 3 months of food supplies left and although the Aboriginal natives were able to eat the native plants and wildlife, the settlers did not find the food enjoyable. They were also not very good fishermen. Finally, In April 1790 they sent their only remaining ship, the Supply, to Batavia to get more food and supplies. This left the colony feeling isolated and stranded.
The Second Fleet
In June 1790, more convict ships arrived at the settlement. The first brought 225 new female convicts. The second ship was full of food, clothing and provisions for the colony. Three more ships full of prisoners and supplies arrived. The colony was saved from starvation and with the help of the new prisoners, more land was cleared for growing food and some buildings were planned.