The First Fleet: The Real Story“Alan Frost is the myth-buster of Australian history...His work should be studied not only by students but anyone interested in the birth of a nation.” — the Age In 1787 a convoy of eleven ships, carrying about 1400 people, set out from England for Botany Bay. According to the conventional account, it was a shambolic affair: under-prepared, poorly equipped and ill-disciplined. Robert Hughes condemned the organisers’ “muddle and lack of foresight”, while Manning Clark described scenes of “indescribable misery and confusion”. In The First Fleet: The Real Story, Alan Frost draws on previously forgotten records to debunk these persistent myths. He shows that the voyage was in fact meticulously planned – reflecting its importance to the British government’s secret ambitions for imperial expansion. He examines the ships and supplies, passengers and behind-the-scenes discussions. In the process, he reveals the hopes and schemes of those who planned the voyage, and the experiences of those who made it. ‘It is almost certain that Frost knows more than anybody else about the early maritime history of this land ... This book will surely alter the way Sydney sees its history.’ — Geoffrey Blainey, The Weekend Australian |
From inside the book
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Page 20
... Court of Directors' 'concurrence' would not * 'Tons burden' is not the weight of the ship; rather, it is a mathematical estimate of its carrying capacity. only please His Majesty, 'but will be a means of 20 The First Fleet: The Real Story.
... Court of Directors' 'concurrence' would not * 'Tons burden' is not the weight of the ship; rather, it is a mathematical estimate of its carrying capacity. only please His Majesty, 'but will be a means of 20 The First Fleet: The Real Story.
Page 21
... Court of Directors, which agreed on 21 September.7 Despite this quick agreement, there may well have been considerable opposition to the venture among the shareholders of the Company. In early October, William Richards, who was ...
... Court of Directors, which agreed on 21 September.7 Despite this quick agreement, there may well have been considerable opposition to the venture among the shareholders of the Company. In early October, William Richards, who was ...
Page 24
... Court of the expedition, and that Captain Arthur Phillip, who had served in the Portuguese Navy, had been given command of it.24 In mid-October, the Spanish ambassador sent a selection of newspaper reports of the business to his Court ...
... Court of the expedition, and that Captain Arthur Phillip, who had served in the Portuguese Navy, had been given command of it.24 In mid-October, the Spanish ambassador sent a selection of newspaper reports of the business to his Court ...
Page 35
... courts for the trial of matters which might pass between the convicts ... When I mentioned a civil and criminal court his Lordship seemed rather surprised, as he had understood that the whole was to have been under military law ...
... courts for the trial of matters which might pass between the convicts ... When I mentioned a civil and criminal court his Lordship seemed rather surprised, as he had understood that the whole was to have been under military law ...
Page 36
... court-martial. Five must concur in this bill to put a man to death. All other sentences [by] a majority. Fixed jury necessary. Rotation impossible'. Another was the practice in Gibraltar, where 'till [1752] everything judged by military ...
... court-martial. Five must concur in this bill to put a man to death. All other sentences [by] a majority. Fixed jury necessary. Rotation impossible'. Another was the practice in Gibraltar, where 'till [1752] everything judged by military ...
Contents
17 | |
27 | |
Officials and Officers | 49 |
Ships Crews Marines Convicts | 64 |
The Ships | 81 |
Equipping the Colonists | 95 |
Loading the Ships and Embarking the People | 114 |
AtPortsmouth | 129 |
Preparing Bodiesfor the Voyage | 140 |
Leaving the World | 159 |
No CheaperMode? | 181 |
Conclusion | 198 |
Acknowledgments | 217 |
Select Bibliography | 250 |
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Common terms and phrases
24 October 28 February administration’s Admiralty advised Alexander appointed April arrival Arthur Phillip asked August Botany Bay Campbell Cape Chronicle clothing Collins colonists colony’s command commission cost court crew December Deptford Officers embarked England establishment Evan Nepean expedition expense February female convicts Fleet fresh foods governor Home Office HRNSW Hunter Island January Lady Penrhyn land Lieutenant London March marine officers marines and convicts Memorandum Middleton to Nepean Minute naval Navy Board necessary needed Nepean to Middleton November Ocean Officers to Navy ofthe Phillip to Nepean Phillip to Sydney Pitt administration Plymouth port Portsmouth Privy Council provisions Real Story Record group Rio de Janeiro Ross Royal Navy sailed Scarborough scurvy sent September 1786 settlement ship’s ships Shortland sick Sirius Sirius and Supply SLNSW South Wales Steele surgeon Teer to Navy Tench Tenerife told Treasury USNA Victualling voyage wine women wrote