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Resources transported with the First Fleet using sources as evidence
ARTHUR BOWES-SMYTH
As surgeon aboard the Lady Penrhyn, Arthur Bowes-Smyth recorded the food, medicines and livestock obtained and carried during the First Fleet voyage. His journal provides a first-hand view of how supplies were replenished and the difficulties of transporting provisions and animals over such a long distance.
At Rio de Janeiro, Bowes-Smyth described plentiful fresh supplies being brought aboard, including beef, cabbages, yams, bananas, guavas, limes, oranges, plantains, lettuces and other vegetables. He also went ashore to purchase medicines for use at sea.
His journal also reveals how difficult it was to transport livestock intended for the new settlement. By December, calves born aboard Sirius had died, many sheep aboard Fishburn had been lost, and much of the poultry carried by the Fleet had died. By January, Bowes-Smyth reported that sheep brought from the Cape of Good Hope were suffering from scab, a contagious skin disease.
Bowes-Smyth’s journal shows that obtaining resources was only part of the challenge. Fresh food and medicines had to be replenished during the voyage, while keeping livestock alive and healthy during months at sea proved particularly difficult.​
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Source: A Journal of a Voyage from Portsmouth to New South Wales and China in the Lady Penrhyn
Author: Arthur Bowes Smyth
Link: State Library of NSW – Arthur Bowes-Smyth illustrated journal, 1787–1789
Source type: Primary
About
Arthur Bowes Smyth (1750-1790) was the surgeon on the Lady Penrhyn, one of the First Fleet convict transports, and was responsible for the women convicts. His journal records daily life during the voyage from England to New South Wales and includes valuable observations about the health, treatment and experiences of the women convicts on board.
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Selected excerpts
Restocking supplies at Rio De Janeiro
August. 6thAnchor'd at Rio'Janeiro Abt. 5 o'Clock this Eveng.…As the Capts. chief business on shore was to procure fresh provisions & vegitables for the Ship he went first to the Markett. The Serjt. informed him that the two grand market days were Tuesdays & Fridays & that in order to have the greater choice he shd. be there at 7 o'Clock in the morng. however notwithstanding they were so late they found a plentiful supply, & between 1 & 2 o'Clock they return'd wt. a large quantity of the finest cabbages I ever saw, also Yarns, Bananas, Guavas, Limes, Lettices, Barangoles & Oranges, also some very tolerable Beef.…The Canoes alongside brot. prodigeous quantities of Oranges of 2 Sorts, one very small of a dark red colour; very sweet & rich flavour'd & the other remarkable large -- The Officer of the Guard Boat brot. a Bucketful as a present of the largest I ever saw. wh. measured a foot in circumference, with the stalks & leaves adhering to Them. The Capt. brot. off some very fine plantains &: large turnip 8th. radishes, Cabbages, Endive & some very good Beef. –
August. 14th. Went on shore & purchased some Medicines for my use at sea.
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Death and sickness in livestock
10th December…Two of the Cows on board the Sirius have calved, both of wh. Calves are dead: also many of the Sheep on board the Fis[h]burn have died, as also the greatest part of the Poultry throughout the fleet. In our Ship there are not 1 dozn. remaing. of 9 wh. the Capt. purchas'd. The rest of the Stock have done very well...
6th January ...The Sheep from the Cape of Good Hope have all got the scab..."
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