Imagine sailing halfway around the world with hundreds of convicts, soldiers, and supplies—all to start a new colony from scratch. That’s exactly what happened in 1787 when the First Fleet left England for Australia. It wasn’t just a voyage—it was the beginning of European settlement on an entire continent.
So what was the First Fleet, and why does it still matter today?
What Was the First Fleet?
The First Fleet was a convoy of 11 British ships that set sail from Portsmouth, England, on May 13, 1787. Their mission? To establish a penal colony in New South Wales, Australia.
Led by Captain Arthur Phillip, the fleet included:
2 Royal Navy ships for protection
3 store ships packed with food, tools, and livestock
6 convict transports carrying 736 prisoners, including children
After a grueling 250-day journey covering over 15,000 miles, the fleet arrived at Botany Bay in January 1788. A few days later, they moved to Port Jackson—now Sydney—where they officially founded the colony.
Why Send Convicts So Far Away?
Britain had a problem: overcrowded prisons and no place to send criminals after losing the American colonies. Transportation to Australia solved both issues—removing convicts from society and expanding British influence in the Pacific.
Who Was on Board?
Besides the convicts, the First Fleet carried:
211 Royal Marines to maintain order
300+ officers and crew
Families of some marines
Livestock like pigs, chickens, and goats
One of the youngest convicts was John Hudson, an 11-year-old chimney sweep sentenced to seven years for theft. His story is a haunting reminder of how harsh justice was back then.
Did You Know?
📦 Fact Box: First Fleet Trivia
The fleet stopped at Tenerife, Rio de Janeiro, and Cape Town for supplies.
48 people died during the voyage.
The journey took 8 months, with extreme weather and cramped conditions.
Common Questions
Q: Was the First Fleet the first European contact with Australia?
Not exactly. Dutch explorers had mapped parts of Australia earlier, and Captain James Cook charted the east coast in 1770. But the First Fleet marked the first permanent European settlement.
Q: What happened after they arrived?
The settlers faced food shortages, unfamiliar terrain, and tense relations with Indigenous Australians. Still, they built shelters, planted crops, and laid the foundation for modern Australia.
A Personal Take
I remember learning about the First Fleet in school and being struck by how young some of the convicts were. It’s wild to think an 11-year-old could be sent across the globe for stealing a handkerchief. It makes you reflect on how far we've come—and how history shapes the places we live in today.
Why the First Fleet Still Matters
The First Fleet wasn’t just a group of ships—it was the start of a new chapter in world history. It marked the beginning of European colonization in Australia, with lasting impacts on culture, politics, and Indigenous communities.
So next time someone asks, “What was the First Fleet?” you’ll know it was more than a voyage—it was a turning point.
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