The Convict Ships and the First Fleet
In 1787, the British government sent a fleet of 11 ships to Australia to establish a penal colony. The fleet departed from Portsmouth, England on 13 May 1787 and arrived at Botany Bay, New South Wales, on 18 January 1788. The ships carried over 1,200 convicts, as well as soldiers, sailors, and their families.
The convicts were men and women who had been sentenced to transportation for a variety of crimes, including theft, robbery, and murder. They were forced to work on the colony's farms and in its construction projects. The conditions on the convict ships were harsh, and many convicts died during the voyage.
The First Fleet played a crucial role in the establishment of European settlement in Australia. The colony at Sydney Cove grew rapidly, and by 1800, there were over 5,000 people living there. The colony eventually expanded to cover all of the Australian continent.
Convict Cells on the Ships
The convict ships were cramped and overcrowded. The convicts were housed in small, dark cells, with very little ventilation. The cells were often infested with rats and lice. The convicts were given very little food and water, and they were forced to work long hours in harsh conditions.
The conditions on the convict ships were so bad that many convicts died during the voyage. The death rate was especially high among children and the elderly.
The Impact of the Convict Ships
The convict ships had a profound impact on Australia. They helped to establish European settlement in the country, and they shaped the country's culture and society. The convict experience also continues to resonate in Australian culture today.
Image of Convict Cells on an 1800's Convict Ship
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