Convicts' Voyage to New South Wales
The First Fleet's Journey Year 4 History Learning about life at sea in 1788
What do you think life was like on a ship?
Look at this image of convicts on a ship What do you notice? How might they be feeling? What challenges might they face?
Why were convicts sent to New South Wales?
British prisons were overcrowded America was no longer available after 1776 Captain Cook had explored the east coast of Australia Britain needed a new place to send prisoners The journey would take about 8 months
The First Fleet's Route to New South Wales
Who was on the First Fleet?
About 1,400 people in total Over 700 convicts (men, women, and children) Marines to guard the convicts Sailors to operate the ships Government officials and their families Some free settlers
Daily Life on the Ships
{"left":"Convicts were kept below deck most of the time\nMeals were basic - salt pork, hardtack biscuits, and water\nVery little fresh food or vegetables\nSleeping in hammocks or on hard wooden floors","right":"Limited washing facilities\nExercise was rare and brief\nMany people became sick from poor conditions\nRats and insects were common problems"}
Timeline Challenge
Work in groups of 3-4 Create a visual timeline of the First Fleet journey Include these key events: • Departure from Portsmouth (May 1787) • Stop at Tenerife • Stop at Rio de Janeiro • Stop at Cape Town • Arrival at Botany Bay (January 1788)
Challenges During the Voyage
Storms and rough seas made people seasick Food went bad in the heat Fresh water supplies ran low Diseases spread quickly in crowded conditions Some convicts tried to escape at stops Ships needed repairs along the way
Using Evidence to Describe the Voyage
'The convicts travelled on crowded ships, so many people became sick.' 'Because there was little fresh food, people suffered from scurvy.' 'The journey took 8 months, therefore it was very difficult.'
What We've Learned
The First Fleet journey took 8 months from England to NSW Life on the ships was very difficult and crowded Many people became sick during the voyage The convicts helped establish the first European settlement This journey changed Australia's history forever