The First Fleet's Journey
The British transported their people to Australia in huge ships, and the first eleven ships that arrived were called The First Fleet, which sailed from Portsmouth, England. They then crossed the equator and stopped at Rio De Janeiro where they repaired the sails and collected resources on the 7th of August, 1787. On the 13th of October, 1787, they reached Cape Town and took on livestock including horses and sheep. Finally, they sailed to Botany Bay but decided to settle in Port Jackson.
People on board the ship included about 722 convicts, the soldiers and their wives, the sailors and the ship's officers, which was a total of about 1500 people. Convicts in particular, did not have to pay to get on board but were kept in cells. It took about eight months for The First Fleet to reach their destination but the living conditions on the ships were poor, as there were diseases, rats and other viruses. The convicts' cells were small and unclean, making the voyage miserable for them.
Interesting facts:
-Only twenty-three people died in the course of the journey.
-Captain Arthur Phillip was the first governor of the colony.
-The flagship or leading ship was called HMS Sirius.
-Most convicts were poor and were either thieves, forgers or pick-pockets. None of them were murderers.
People on board the ship included about 722 convicts, the soldiers and their wives, the sailors and the ship's officers, which was a total of about 1500 people. Convicts in particular, did not have to pay to get on board but were kept in cells. It took about eight months for The First Fleet to reach their destination but the living conditions on the ships were poor, as there were diseases, rats and other viruses. The convicts' cells were small and unclean, making the voyage miserable for them.
Interesting facts:
-Only twenty-three people died in the course of the journey.
-Captain Arthur Phillip was the first governor of the colony.
-The flagship or leading ship was called HMS Sirius.
-Most convicts were poor and were either thieves, forgers or pick-pockets. None of them were murderers.