What Is The First Fleet?

The First Fleet was 11 ships made up of 775 Convicts, Marines (Muskets) their families, Sailors & their families & cargo. Everything on board was going from Great Britain over rough seas to Australia to colonise the land. They departed England on the 13 May 1787.

HMS Sirius

It took 9 LONG months to get from Britain to Australia.

The man In Charge was Captain Arthur Phillip, he was the commodore of the Fleet. People said he was NO oil painting, which means he wasn't very handsome.

There were 6 Convict ships, the Alexander, Charlotte, Prince of Wales, Scarborough, Lady Penrhyn & The Friendship. 2 Naval ships, the HMS Supply & the HMS Sirius. 3 Store ships, the Fishburn, Borrow Dale & the Golden Grove.

Why Did They Come to Australia?

British, Scottish & Irish people traveled to Australia because they were VERY poor. Some thought they would have a better life in a different country. People were either VERY Rich, or VERY Poor.
Prisoners were sent to Australia because the prisons & hulks (Floating prisons) were OVER crowded & they needed MORE space. Punishments were VERY Harsh, if you stole something very small, for example, a handkerchief, you could be sent to Australia, or you could be executed!

 When & Where Did They Arrive In Australia?

The ships arrived to Botany Bay on the 20 January 1788. They were NOT happy with the land, so they went a bit north to Port Jackson Sydney Cove on the 26 January 1788 (Australia day). It was in Sydney Cove where they hoisted the Union Jack to claim for Great Britain.