Scarborough (1734 EIC ship)

East India Company Ensign

Scarborough was a ship launched in 1782 that served for the British East India Company (EIC). She is perhaps best known for her role in the First Fleet, which transported the first European settlers and convicts to Australia in 1788. This article provides an overview of her construction, service history, and eventual fate.

Construction and Specifications

Scarborough was built at the shipyards of Scarborough, a town that has a long history of shipbuilding, especially during the 18th century. As a vessel intended for long voyages, she was constructed to be sturdy and capable of carrying a significant cargo, as well as passengers, over vast ocean distances.

Service with the British East India Company

Initially, Scarborough was employed by the British East India Company to transport goods between Britain and the East Indies. The EIC had a monopoly on British trade in the East Indies and required reliable ships to maintain its trading network. Scarborough, with her robust build, was well-suited to this task, navigating the treacherous waters of the Cape of Good Hope and facing the challenges of long sea voyages.

Role in the First Fleet

In 1787, Scarborough was chartered by the British government for a mission of paramount importance—the transportation of convicts to establish a penal colony in New South Wales, Australia. This fleet, known as the First Fleet, consisted of 11 ships, including two naval escorts, six convict transports, and three storeships. Scarborough, under the command of John Marshall, carried 208 male convicts on this historic voyage.

The journey was arduous, with the fleet facing numerous challenges, including navigational difficulties, disease, and the need to maintain discipline among the convicts. Despite these obstacles, the First Fleet successfully arrived in Botany Bay in January 1788, marking the beginning of European settlement in Australia.

Later Service and Fate

After completing her role in the First Fleet, Scarborough continued to serve the British East India Company, making several more voyages to transport goods and convicts to Australia. Her service is a testament to the durability and reliability of ships of her era, which were capable of multiple round trips across the globe despite the harsh conditions they faced.

The exact details of Scarborough's fate are not well-documented, but like many ships of her time, she likely ended her days either wrecked or broken up once she was deemed no longer seaworthy.

Legacy

Scarborough's contribution to the colonization of Australia is a significant part of her legacy. As one of the ships of the First Fleet, she played a crucial role in the establishment of the first European settlement in Australia, a moment that would shape the continent's history forever.