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The Fishburn - The Dictionary of Sydney_

Experiences of men, women and children on the First Fleet voyage

The First Fleet - Arrival_edited.jpg

Overview - The First Fleet

  • The Fleet

  • Ports of call

  • Passengers

  • Breakdown of convicts

Dutch maps and explorers

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Overview ~ The voyage

  • Travelling conditions 'cramped, dingy, dark and dismal'

  • Ports of call

Overview - The Voyage

Governor Arthur Phillip.jpg

Arthur Phillip - Commander

  • ​Onboard discipline and governance

  • Foiled mutiny 

  • Escape attempt

  • Death and illness

  • Travelling conditions, weather

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John White Esq ~ Chief Surgeon

  • Health of the convicts

  • A 'sporatic' disease & other illnesses

  • Rewards for good behaviour

  • Men overboard

  • Birth of a baby​

Arthur Bowes-Smyth illustrated journal 1787-1789, A Journal of a Voyage from Portsmouth to

Arthur Bowes-Smyth - Surgeon

  • ​Accommodation

  • Medical events during voyage

  • Medicine

  • Behaviour of convicts

  • Travel and adventure

  • ​

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Watkin Tench -  Naval officer

  • Who was on board

  • Feelings as the fleet departed

  • Treatment of convicts

  • Conditions on the voyage

  • Survival / survivors

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David Blackburn, Master of Supply

  • Personal items bought for voyage

  • ​Travel and adventure

  • Praise for Governor Arthur Phillip

  • Humane treatment of convicts

  • Likens to Noah's Ark with livestock

Convicts.jpg

Convict voices & Women

  • Irish convict James Martin​

  • Mary Broad (nee Talbot)

  • 1788 letter, female writer - author unknown

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