subject: The First Fleet – Australia 1787 - View from England [print this page] I thought as a born and bred Portsmouth chap I thought I would list the first fleet to Australia that left Portsmouth, England in 1787. Portsmouth is famous for its many famous events and people. Captain Arthur Philip R.N, set sail on May 13th 1787 from Portsmouth with 11 vessels and with about 1,487 people, including 778 convicts (192 women and 586 men). This fleet could be classed as the most important expedition since "The Mayflower" from Plymouth, England. Capt. Arthur Philip R.N. was also commissioned as the first Governor of New South Wales.
Captain Arthur Philip arrived in N.S.W. with 717 convicts of whom 180 were women, guarded by 191 marines under 19 officers. The ships arrived at Botany Bay between 18th and 20th January 1788. HMS Supply arrived on 18 January, The Alexander, Scarborough and Friendship arrived on 19th January and the remaining ships on 20th January 1788.
During the voyage there were seven births, while 69 people either died, were discharged, or deserted (61 males and 8 females). As no complete crew musters have survived for the six transports and three store ships, there may have been as many as 110 more seamen. This was one of the world's greatest sea voyages eleven vessels carrying about 1,487 people and stores had travelled for 252 days for more than 15,000 miles (24,000 km) without losing a ship. Forty-eight people had died on the journey, a death rate of just over three per cent. Given the rigours of the voyage, the navigational problems, the poor condition and sea-faring inexperience of the convicts, the primitive medical knowledge, the lack of precautions against scurvy, the crammed and foul conditions of the ships, poor planning and inadequate equipment, this was a remarkable achievement.
Embarked at Portsmouth Landed at Port Jackson
Officials & Passengers 16 14
Ships' crews 324 269
Marines 247 245
Marines wives & children 46 54
Convicts (men) 579 543
Convicts (women) 193 189 Convicts'
Convicts (children) 14 18
Total 1,403 1,332
Below is a list of Named Convicts which may be of interest to the reader.