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Period: to
1829-1900
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The beginning of Fremantle
Fremantle officially 'began' in April, 1829 when the ship HMS Challenger arrive in water off Western Australia near the mouth of the swan River. Australia was first named "New Holland" in houner of king George the 4th. -
The swan river colony
fremantle was first known as the "Swan Rriver colony" and was establishedd a 'free settlement' when approximately 400 setlers arrivred in June 1829 -
Population increase
By 1832, there were over 15 hundred settelrs at the Swan River Colony. -
Juvinile offenders
Between 1842 and 1850, 230 juvinile offenders were shiped to western Australia. -
The port of Fremantle
Fremantle's port role began immediately the Swan River Colony was founded in 1829, but the entrance to the Swan River estuary was blocked by a rocky bar, which made the mouth of the river virtually impassable for sea-going vessels. The first steamship to enter the port was H.M.S. Driver on 4 December 1845. -
Swan River Colony becomes a penal settlement
the decision was made regardless to the public opinion. In November 1849, it was officially annouced that the Swan River Colony had been 'constituted a penal settlement'. -
Ending of the "free" status of the colony
The English ended the "free" status of the colony for all intents and purposes before 1850. -
Population increase again.
the first 75 convicts arrived in 1850, only to be followed by 9 thousdand before 1869. -
Gold rush
Gold was discovered and prospectors arrived searching out new goldfields. The Gold Rush of the 1890’s saw Fremantle firmly established as a gateway to Western Australia. -
fremantle harbor
The kilometre long 'Long Jetty' was the primary port facility until the harbour was opened in 1897.