What were some early problems when Captain Arthur Phillip was establishing the settlement?

Answer 1

There were several problems encountered by Captain Arthur Phillip whilst travelling on the First Fleet.

The main problem was lack of rations. Certain foods did not last long in the salt air and humidity, and the crew and passengers (marines, officers and convicts) were reduced to a smaller amount of provisions. Further, the salty sea air caused some foods to perish more quickly.

The unsanitary conditions among the convicts caused problems. Dysentery was rife below decks, and some convicts died as a result.

At one stage, Phillip was forced to discipline several seamen who were willing to help a small group of convicts in an attempted mutiny. The mutiny did not succeed, as another convict revealed the plans.

Once the First Fleet arrived at botany Bay, Phillip quickly determined that the site was not suitable for a new, self-sustaining colony, so he had to scout for a new site. Botany Bay did not have a suitable sheltered harbour or sufficient fresh water. The soil was poor quality and the timber would not serve their building needs. Phillip headed north, where he found Port Jackson, a better place to establish the first colony in New South Wales.

Answer 2

Captain Arthur Phillip's first problem was the unviability of Botany Bay. Although James Cook had recommended Botany Bay as ideal for settlement, Phillip found there were several problems. There was insufficiant fresh water; no safe, deep harbour for ships; lack of timber of building; and the soil was not particularly fertile. His first task was to head further north and find a better site - which he found in Port Jackson.

Phillip was a practical man who suggested that convicts with experience in farming, building and crafts be included in the First Fleet, but his proposal was rejected. Thus, he faced many obstacles in his attempts to establish the new colony, including the fact that British farming methods, seeds and implements were unsuitable for use in the different climate and soil. The equipment, quite simply, kept breaking. Also, the convicts were unwilling to work in the unfamiliar Australian heat and humidity. The colony faced near-starvation in its first two years.

The colony faced the very real threat of starvation in its first two years. It was only saved when, in December 1790, twenty-five bushels of barley were successfully harvested. This went a long way towards alleviating food shortages.

The colony was restricted by lack of land. More farming and agricultural land was needed beyond the immediate settlement at Port Jackson. Out of necessity, due to the growing need for more land in Sydney, Phillip undertook several expeditions of exploration in the immediate area. His explorations resulted in the first spread of settlement to the Parramatta and Rose Hill areas. He also traced the course of the Hawkesbury River as far upstream as he could, to Richmond Hill, and he then continued on to the junction with the Grose River.

New South Wales finally succeeded in becoming self-sufficient, thanks to the solid foundation provided by Captain Arthur Phillip.