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Why the convicts came to Australia
After the Americans fought the British in the Revolutionary War, drove them out and became the United States of America, the British need a new place to send their convicts. The First Fleet was the first group of ships to carry convicts to the British colony in Australia. -
When the first fleet arrived in Botany Bay
The First Fleet of 11 ships, each one no larger than a Manly ferry, left Portsmouth in 1787 with more than 1480 men, women and children on board. Although most were British, there were also African, American and French convicts. After a voyage of three months the First Fleet arrived at Botany Bay on 24 January 1788. -
Captain Phillip
Early in the morning, Captain Phillip took a party ashore at Sydney Cove, raised the British colours and formally proclaimed British sovereignty over New South Wales. This day is now celebrated as Australia Day. In a ceremony at sunset Phillip and the officers drank to the health of the king and the royal family, and success to the new colony. In the meantime, La Perouse entered Botany Bay as the remaining British ships prepared to leave. -
Hobart
In the late 1790,the British decided to establish a penal colony in Tasmania (then called Van Diemen's land) for Sydney's tougher convicts.Tasmania was chosen because the British were concerned that French explorers would establish a colony there. -
1790-1791
5 of 6 ships of the beleaguered Second Fleet arrived. The colony was gripped by a food crisis.The first ship of the Third Fleet arrived at Sydney Cove. -
1803
In 1803 the governor of New South Wales sent lieutenant John Bowen with a party of about 50 people, including around 30 convicts, to establish a settlement on the Derwent River. The sight chosen was Risdon Cove. However the cove soon proved to be unsuitable because it lacked fresh water and was difficult place to land boats. -
1820
By the 1820s the town had become a busy port with the population of around 5000.It was a centre for whaling, sealing, ship building and for exporting wool, hides and other products. -
1830
Logan had a distinguished military career. He was known as a strict commandant of the penal colony to the point of cruelty. Logan made significant explorations of what was to become known as South East Queensland. He discovered the area which became Ipswich, Queensland and some consider him to be the founder of Queensland.[3]
Logan died in the 1830s -
last survivors
On 26 January 1842, the Colonial Government in Sydney awarded a life pension of 1 shilling a day to three surviving members of the First Fleet. The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser reported, on Saturday 29 January 1842: "The Government have ordered a pension of one shilling per diem to be paid to the survivors of those who came by the first vessel into the Colony. -
26 January
Captain Arthur Phillip had been commissioned by the British government of the day to organise, supply and command a fleet to bring 1,400 people to fulfil his charge, to establish a new British colony on the other side of the world. Phillip was to be governor of the settlement, which was made up of convicted criminals, their Marine minders and overseeing naval officers, with some family members
