Table of Contents
What was the weather like in 1788?
Scientists have discovered that 1788 was a La Nina year, when the east coast of Australia experienced unusually higher rainfall. Officers of the First Fleet, 1st Lt William Bradley and Marine 2nd Lt William Dawes, recorded that temperatures were cool throughout 1788.
Why did the convicts struggle to make farming successful?
The first settlers, convicts and military personnel were keen to farm the land and raise food, but their inexperience in farming techniques and the unfamiliar landscape resulted in near starvation due to early crop failures.
What food did they eat on the First Fleet?
| Flour | 414,176 lb | 52 weeks ration |
|---|---|---|
| Beef | 127,606 lb | 43 weeks ration |
| Pork | 214,344 lb | 128 weeks ration |
| Pease | 2305 bushels | 58 weeks ration |
| Butter | 15,450 lb | 49 weeks ration |
How many babies were born on the first fleet?
It is estimated there were about 50 children on the First Fleet when it arrived at Botany Bay. Over 20 children were born at sea during the eight-month voyage.
Why was Port Jackson important to the Sydney colony?
Port Jackson, in the early days of the colony, was also used as a shorthand for Sydney and its environs. Thus, many botanists, see, e.g, Robert Brown’s Prodromus floræ Novæ Hollandiæ et Insulæ Van-Diemen, described their specimens as having been collected at Port Jackson.
Who was the first people to settle in Port Jackson?
Ships importing resources from India played a vital role in establishing Sydney. The land around Port Jackson was inhabited at the time of the European arrival and colonisation by the Eora clans, including the Gadigal, Cammeraygal, and Wangal.
What is the perimeter of the Port Jackson estuary?
The perimeter of the estuary is 317 kilometres. According to the Geographical Names Board of New South Wales, Port Jackson is “a harbour which comprises all the waters within an imaginary line joining North Head and South Head. Within this harbour lies North Harbour, Middle Harbour and Sydney Harbour.”
When did the First Fleet arrive in Port Jackson?
Aboriginal people around Port Jackson were the first to experience the effects of British rule on the Australian continent, with the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788.