Past

 

The First Fleet:

 

On the 13th of May 1787, a fleet of 11 ships set sail from Portsmouth, England. Led by Captain Arthur Phillip, this convoy, which later became known as the First Fleet, carried officers, crew, marines, their families and over 700 convicts. Many convicts aboard were petty criminals, charged with stealing food items or selling stolen goods, and were transported overseas due to a lack of space in British gaols. Over the 8 month journey, covicts were housed below deck in small shared cells, only allowed on deck for fresh air and exercise. 

 

Life as a criminal in the 1780s:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The First Fleet

Behind the News

 

The First Fleet consisted of two Royal Navy ships, HMS Sirius and HMS Supply. They accompanied six convict transports: the Alexander, Charlotte, Friendship, Lady Penrhyn, Prince of Wales and the Scarborough, and three store ships, the Borrowdale, Fishburn and Golden Grove. 

 

Click on the map to follow the journey of the First Fleet:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Fleet arrived first in Botany Bay on the 18th January. Although recommended by Sir Joseph Banks, Botany Bay proved unsuitable for a permanent settlement as it lacked a supply of fresh water. As a result, the First Fleet arrived at Sydney Cove in Port Jackson on the 26th of January. The new site had everything the first settlers needed; deep water close to the shore, shelter and fresh water. Phillip named the site Sydney Cove, after Lord Sydney the British Home Secretary.

 

Soon after arriving, the settlers cleared land for farmlands and houses.

 

Today the 26th of Janurary is celebrated as Australia Day as it marks the beginnings of European settlement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Syndey Cove, Port Jackson, 1788

William Bradley

 

 

Explore other artworks from early settlement HERE

 

 

The First Australians:

 

Before the arrival of Europeans in 1788, Australia was populated by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are the First Australians and have lived on the land for over 40,000 years. Prior to colonisation, the people were nomadic and travelled throughout the year to hunt and gather. Men hunted large animals such as kangaroos, emus and turtles and the women and children hunted smaller animals and collected fruits, berries and other plants. On the coast people caught fish and collected many types of shellfish including mussels and oysters. 

 

Arrival of the First Fleet:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Australians

SBS 2008

 

Upon arrival, European settlers claimed possession of the land, believing the land to be ‘terra nullius’ (no bodies land), as the Aboriginal people did not show land ownership with houses or farms. During these first few months, many Aboriginal people were killed in conflicts but also as the result of deadly disease. Due to Australia’s isolation from other countries, Aboriginals had not previously been exposed to deadly viruses carried by the sailors and convicts, such as smallpox, syphilis and influenza.

 

For Aboriginal people, the 26th of January commemorates the European invasion, and is often referred to as ‘Invasion Day’ or ‘Survival Day’. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A 19th-century engraving showing natives of the Gweagal tribe opposing the arrival of Captain James Cook in 1770