The space on each ship was cramped, dingy, dark and dismal. The hammocks "were only a few inches apart, and the air between decks was fetid and suffocating. 'The unfortunate convicts knew not where they were being taken. Some of them said they had overheard that they were being taken to a savage land peopled by cannibals. They were victualled as well as circumstances would permit.

In the tropics they suffered dreadfully from close confinement in the narrow, ill-lit and ill-ventilated holds.

On board the Scarborough, for humanity's sake, they were allowed some little liberty not permitted on other ships...

The fleet steered for Rio de Janiero and reached the harbor there on August 7th. Unable to secure necessaries for his ships, Captain Phillip was detained longer than he wished to remain... At 7 p.m. on October 7th, 1787, the fleet reached Table Bay and anchored. At the Cape of Good Hope, Captain Phillip bought and took aboard live stock and other requisites necessary to establish the new colony.

He also obtained a stock of fresh provisions. It is said that the fleet carried a great number of animals and

much poultry, when leaving the Cape of Good Hope on the 13th November, 1787...

On November 25th, Governor Phillip left the Sirius and went on board the Supply in order to reach Botany Bay more expeditiously. The other vessels were lumbering craft that sailed very heavy, and Phillip taking with him a number of carpenters, sawyers and blacksmiths, transferred to the Supply and ordering the three fastest sailing transports to follow, went ahead,,. His desire was to reach the scores of Botany Bay before the arrival of the others, and have a suitable locality prepared to land and house his charges on their arrival.

On January 18th, 1788, the Supply entered Botany Bay and anchored, sheltered by South Head. The others

soon arrived. All were anchored by the 20th, after 36 weeks at sea.

Phillip found the bay very shallow and unsheltered. Ashore, the place was rocky and sandy; and there was no water convenient... The bay was unprotected from the swell of the Pacific Ocean rolling through the heads. ... Governor Phillip lost no time in seeking a, better and more suitable haven...

With three ships he ... headed for Port Jackson, eight or nine miles away. On entering the now famous harbor, they found a beautiful tree-sheltered cove into which a good stream of clear water ran. He named the place Sydney Cove in honor of the Secretary of State, under whom the directions for the expedition had been carried out.

...On January 24th, Phillip returned to Botany Bay and at once issued orders for the fleet to remove to Port Jackson...