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 1
The expedition itself was poorly organized and badly equipped'.4 Robert Hughes found that the planning of the expedition was marked by 'muddle and lack of foresight'.5 John Molony spoke extravagantly of 'criminal negligence'.6 Mollie ...
The expedition itself was poorly organized and badly equipped'.4 Robert Hughes found that the planning of the expedition was marked by 'muddle and lack of foresight'.5 John Molony spoke extravagantly of 'criminal negligence'.6 Mollie ...
Page 7
Nepean replied: Captain Phillip, who is to command on the expedition to Botany Bay, offered to take with him any young gentleman I might think fit to recommend, as a midshipman, and conceiving himself under some obligation to me, ...
Nepean replied: Captain Phillip, who is to command on the expedition to Botany Bay, offered to take with him any young gentleman I might think fit to recommend, as a midshipman, and conceiving himself under some obligation to me, ...
Page 9
... such as those by Victor Crittenden and Jonathan King, are narrative collations of original records rather than analytical studies, and are in any case concerned more with the voyage than the equipping of the expedition.
... such as those by Victor Crittenden and Jonathan King, are narrative collations of original records rather than analytical studies, and are in any case concerned more with the voyage than the equipping of the expedition.
Page 12
... and that the expedition should receive more medical supplies, Middleton advised Nepean that he had 'given directions agreeable to [your] letter concerning provisions, essence of malt, wine etc., trusting to official authority in due ...
... and that the expedition should receive more medical supplies, Middleton advised Nepean that he had 'given directions agreeable to [your] letter concerning provisions, essence of malt, wine etc., trusting to official authority in due ...
Page 21
... from Hawkesworth's compilation of Cook's and Banks's journals.10 Other London and country newspapers did likewise, often simply repeating one another's words.11 In the next weeks, more details of the planned expedition came out.
... from Hawkesworth's compilation of Cook's and Banks's journals.10 Other London and country newspapers did likewise, often simply repeating one another's words.11 In the next weeks, more details of the planned expedition came out.
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The First Fleet
User Review - Thorpe-Bowker and Contributors - Books+PublishingThe First Fleet: The Real Story is a companion volume to Alan Frost¿s earlier book, Botany Bay: The Real Story. It deals with the same subject as David Hill¿s 1788, but unlike Hill, Frost is an ... Read full review
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