The First Fleet ! By Shannen May

Contents! What was the First Fleet When did they leave Who was on the First Fleet Deaths and Births Questions The Convicts Mary Bryant Settlement The Different Ships

What was the first fleet! The First Fleet is the name given to the 11 ships which sailed from Great Britain to Australia (back then known as New Holland) to establish the first European colony in New South Wales. They carried Convicts onboard the ships, they were sentenced to labor in Australia. Some would be there for 4 years others would be there for the rest of there life.

When did they leave! May 1787:The 11 ships left Portsmouth, England on Sunday 13 May 1787 under the command of Captain Arthur Phillip RN. June 1787: the first port of call was the town called Santa Cruz on the Cannery Islands. August1787: They reached Rio de Janeiro October 1787: They reached Cape of Good Hope, this was their final civilized port of call. January 1788: The Fleet finally reached Botany Bay, Australia. Captain Arthur Phillips

Who left and arrived! Embarked at Portsmouth Officials and passengers: 15 Ships' crews: 323 Marines: 444 Marines wives and children: 46 Convicts (males): 582 Convicts (females): 193 Convicts' children: 14 Total embarked: 1420 Disembarked at Port Jackson Officials and passengers: 14 Ships' crews: 306 Marines: 245 Marines wives and children: 54 Convicts (males): 543 Convicts (females): 189 Convicts' children: 22 Total landed: 1373

Deaths and Births! Deaths: 69 people either died, were discharged or sometimes they were even deserted. 61 males 8 females. Births: During the entire Voyage there was 22 births in total. 13 males 9 females

Questions Q1. What was the maximum time a convict was sentenced to labor in Australia? Q2. In what month did they finally reach Botany Bay, Australia? Q3. What was the Total amount of people that embarked on the trip to Australia? Q4. How many females died on the way to Australia? Q5. How many births were there in total, on the way to Australia?

The Convicts! On the six ships that were carrying convicts, the total amount of convicts was approximately 775. Some convicts died on the way to Australia. There was also convicts kids on board these boats. Convicts were housed below decks on the prison deck and often further confined behind bars. In many cases the convicts were restrained in chains and were only allowed on deck for fresh air and exercise. Conditions were cramped and they slept in hammocks. The Convicts were made to work hard doing labor everyday, when they got to Australia. If they weren't doing what they were meant to be doing, the convicts would get lashes across there backs. Even up to 100 at one time.

Mary Bryant! Mary Bryant is a very famous convict (you may have seen the short TV series). She was born Mary Broad in Cornwell, England. Quite a few years later Mary was convicted for petty thievery and was sentenced to 7 years transportation to Australia. Mary Broad was in the ship Charlotte, which is where she had her first child, daughter named Charlotte (after the ship). This was also the place she met her husband to be (William Bryant). When Mary got to Australia she married William Bryant (Feb 10 1788). A bit later on there life together, they had a son called Emanuel. After a few years on Australia, William made a plan to escape from the island. He managed to get his hands on a boat, then on a night that he knew all the boats that could case them would be gone they escaped.

Mary Bryant! That is the amazing true story of Mary Bryant. They sailed out during the night with 8 crew members to help the Bryant family. They managed to get to a place called Kupang in Timor. They claimed to be ship wreck sailors. This story held out for a while. But they were later found to be British convicts. They were found because William became drunk and blabbed. The family and crew members were sent back to Britain so it didn’t become international incident. On the way back to Britain for there Trial, Mary’s Husband and first born child perished because of Fever, and later the older child died as well. So Mary and the Crewmembers were only left to stand trial. Mary Bryant had to do an additional year in prison but was then Pardoned in May 1793. That is the amazing true story of Mary Bryant.

Settlement! When the first fleet first arrived at Botany Bay they deemed it unsuitable for settlement. So they moved and settled at Port Jackson. Most of the convicts didn’t know how to farm. In the beginning everyone had to be on rationed food including Captain Phillip. They had very little building material, so shelter was a problem. The tools the government had given them, were really weak and got broken very easily. Once they started to get crops growing, buildings made, and villages formed they moved and settled in other places.

Convict Ships! Scarborough Friendship Charlotte Prince of Wales Lady Penrhyn Alexander

The other 5 Ships! Sirius: A naval escort ship Supply: Golden Grove These three ships were Store ships. Fishburn Borrowdale

Questions! Q1. How many convicts traveled to Australia? Q2. How many kids did Mary Bryant Have? Q3. Where did they settle instead of Botany Bay? Q4. How many convict ships were there? Q5. Name 3 of the ships.

Bibliography! http://members.optushome.com.au/guthrigg/conships2.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Fleet http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Bryant http://home.vicnet.net.au/~firstff/story.htm http://www.ulladulla.info/historian/ffstory.html http://members.iinet.net.au/~perthdps/convicts/ships.html