This week we have been learning about the First Fleet. It has been very interesting for me because my ancestors came to Australia on the First Fleet. Last weekend I went to the markets in Marrickville to find some clothes to dress up in for our First Fleet re-enactment. I also bought some things for building shelters.
After they had unloaded everyone, they had a big party. This day is still celebrated as Australia Day. Life for the convicts was very hard at first. Everything seemed to be opposite to life at home in England. In England it was Winter and in Australia it was Summer. The swans were black instead of white and they had never seen gum trees before. They didn’t have many builders or farmers with them.
I am descended from some of the First Fleet convicts:
Matthew James Everingham who was the first white person to explore the Blue Mountains
Henry Kable and Susannah Holmes who had the first baby in the colony of NSW.
After we had done our shopping we went to the Chai Tent for some refreshments.
This is the outfit my Mum designed for me.
The First Fleet arrived at Botany Bay on January 18, 1788.
This was one of the world's greatest sea voyages — eleven ships carrying about 1400 people and stores had travelled for 252 days for more than 24,000 km without losing a ship. Forty-eight people had died on the journey. Given the difficulties of the voyage, the cramped and foul conditions of the ships, poor planning and inadequate equipment, this was a remarkable achievement.
The First Fleet arrived at Botany Bay on January 18, 1788.
This was one of the world's greatest sea voyages — eleven ships carrying about 1400 people and stores had travelled for 252 days for more than 24,000 km without losing a ship. Forty-eight people had died on the journey. Given the difficulties of the voyage, the cramped and foul conditions of the ships, poor planning and inadequate equipment, this was a remarkable achievement.
When they landed at Botany Bay on the 18th of January 1788 it was open and unprotected, there was not much water, and the soil was poor. They met the local indigenous people, the Eora, for the first time. They were curious but suspicious of the newcomers. The area was covered with enormously strong trees. When the convicts tried to cut them down, their tools broke and the tree trunks had to be blasted out of the ground with gunpowder. The basic huts built for the officers and officials quickly collapsed in rainstorms so immediately they decided to sail further and landed at Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour) on the 26th of January 1788. Two Aborigines nearby shouted “Warra ! Warra !” (Go Away !) but no one listened.
After they had unloaded everyone, they had a big party. This day is still celebrated as Australia Day. Life for the convicts was very hard at first. Everything seemed to be opposite to life at home in England. In England it was Winter and in Australia it was Summer. The swans were black instead of white and they had never seen gum trees before. They didn’t have many builders or farmers with them.
I am descended from some of the First Fleet convicts:
Matthew James Everingham who was the first white person to explore the Blue Mountains
Henry Kable and Susannah Holmes who had the first baby in the colony of NSW.
1 comment:
Hi Ania, I have just read your blog and found it very interesting. I loved al the information about the first fleet especially about your relative Everingham. I went to school with a boy called Luke Everingham and he is also a direct relative.
I also like frogs have a look at some pictures I ahve taken of them.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/encyclopediabotanica/sets/72157603677362858/
Cheers Brent.
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