Why did the First Fleet go to Cape Town?

Answer 1

The First Fleet did not "choose" to come to Australia. The British Government decided to establish a colony in Australia and sent 11 ship loads of people, including convicts, to do it.

Conditions in England in the 18th century were tough: the industrial revolution had removed many people's opportunities to earn an honest wage as simpler tasks were replaced by machine labour. As unemployment rose, so did crime, especially the theft of basic necessities such as food and clothing. The British prison system was soon full to overflowing, and a new place had to be found to ship the prison inmates. The American colonies were no longer viable, following the American war of Independence. Following Captain Cook's voyage to the South Pacific in 1770, the previously uncharted continent of New Holland proved to be suitable. Cook had claimed the eastern half of the continent for England, naming it "New South Wales", and determined that a small bay in the south which he named "botany Bay" would present the ideal conditions for a penal colony.

On 18 August 1786 the decision was made to send a colonisation party of convicts, military and civilian personnel to Botany Bay, under the command of Captain Arthur Phillip, who was appointed Governor-designate.

Answer 2

The First Fleet was expected to settle at Botany Bay, where it arrived on 18 January 1788. Captain Arthur Phillip immediately determined that there was insufficient fresh water, an absence of usable timber, poor quality soil and no safe harbour at Botany Bay. Thus the fleet was moved to Port Jackson, and thence on to Sydney Cove, arriving on 26 January 1788.

Answer 3

For various reasons, the British Government chose to establish a colony in Australia, claiming the continent for its empire, and sent 11 ship loads of people, including convicts, to colonise the land.

Conditions in England in the 18th century were tough: the industrial revolution had removed many people's opportunities to earn an honest wage as simpler tasks were replaced by machine labour. As unemployment rose, so did crime, especially the theft of basic necessities such as food and clothing. The British prison system was soon full to overflowing, and a new place had to be found to ship the prison inmates. The American colonies were no longer viable, following the American war of Independence. Following Captain Cook's voyage to the South Pacific in 1770, the previously uncharted continent of New Holland proved to be suitable. Cook had claimed the eastern half of the continent for England, naming it "New South Wales", and determined that a small bay in the south which he named "Botany Bay" would present the ideal conditions for a penal colony.

On 18 August 1786 the decision was made to send a colonisation party of convicts, military and civilian personnel to Botany Bay, under the command of Captain Arthur Phillip, who was appointed Governor-designate.

Answer 4

The First Fleet first went to Botany Bay as that was where James Cook first landed on Australian soil. Cook and the ship's main botanist, Sir Joseph Banks, recommended Botany Bay as suitable for settlement. However, it was soon discovered that Botany Bay would not meet the needs of the new colony, due to lack of fresh water, a safe harbour, suitable timber or good soil. That is why the Fleet moved further north to Port Jackson.

Answer 5

For various reasons, the British Government chose to establish a colony in Australia, claiming the continent for its empire, and sent 11 ship loads of people, including convicts, to colonise the land.

The main reason was that England needed a place to send its excess convicts, or prisoners.

Conditions in England in the 18th century were tough: the industrial revolution had removed many people's opportunities to earn an honest wage as simpler tasks were replaced by machine labour. As unemployment rose, so did crime, especially the theft of basic necessities such as food and clothing. The British prison system was soon full to overflowing, and a new place had to be found to ship the prison inmates. The American colonies were no longer viable, following the American war of Independence. Following Captain Cook's voyage to the South Pacific in 1770, the previously uncharted continent of New Holland proved to be suitable. Cook had claimed the eastern half of the continent for England, naming it "New South Wales", and determined that a small bay in the south which he named "Botany Bay" would present the ideal conditions for a penal colony.

Answer 6

To establish a base using convict labour. It had several functions - to act as a naval base to pre-empt a French base; to garner naval stores of timber and flax from Norfolk Island; to act as a naval base to help protect the East India Company's trade in East Asia; to establish English possession of New Holland.

Answer 7

The First Fleet required fresh supplies by the time they reached South Africa. As the total journey was nine months, the First Fleet made three stops to re-supply, and the final stop was at Cape Town.

Answer 8

The First Fleet is composed of 11 ships that carry passengers who are convicts and marines. They were sent to Australia in 1788 as Britain can no longer accommodate them in overcrowded jails.