First Fleet

First Fleet

The First Fleet was a fleet of 11 ships that departed from Portsmouth, England, on 13 May 1787 to establish the first European colony in New South Wales, Australia. The fleet carried over 1,000 convicts, marines, and seamen, as well as a number of free settlers and officials.

Composition of the Fleet

The First Fleet consisted of two Royal Navy escort ships, three store ships, and six convict transports. The ships were:

• HMS Sirius (flagship)
• HMS Supply
• Alexander
• Charlotte
• Friendship
• Lady Penrhyn
• Prince of Wales
• Scarborough
• Borrowdale
• Fishburn
• Golden Grove

Journey to Australia

The fleet set sail from Portsmouth and made stops at Tenerife, Rio de Janeiro, and Cape Town to resupply. The journey took approximately 252 days, covering over 15,000 miles.

Arrival in Botany Bay

The First Fleet arrived at Botany Bay between 18 and 20 January 1788. However, the location was deemed unsuitable for settlement due to poor soil and lack of fresh water. Consequently, the fleet moved to Port Jackson, where Sydney Cove was established on 26 January 1788.

Legacy

The arrival of the First Fleet marked the beginning of European colonization in Australia. This event is commemorated annually on Australia Day, 26 January.

See also

• History of Australia
• Convict transportation to Australia
• Colonial Australia

References

• Frost, Alan. The First Fleet: The Real Story. Black Inc., 2011.
• Keneally, Thomas. The Commonwealth of Thieves: The Story of the Founding of Australia. Random House, 2006.

External links

• [National Library of Australia - First Fleet Online]
• [State Library of New South Wales - First Fleet Journals]