Colonial Events

1788

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JANUARY 18

National Archives of Australia Image no. : C4078, N7012B

......Arrival in Botany Bay of the Supply -  first ship of the First Fleet at Botany Bay. Captain Arthur Phillip. Lieutenant H.L. Ball 

 
 

 

Arrival in Botany Bay, under Lieut. Shortland,  of the ships

Alexander (210 male convicts) Marine Officers - Lieut. J. Johnston, Lieut. Shairp,

Scarborough(210 male convicts) Marine Officers - Captain Shea, Lieut. Kellow, Lieut. Morrison

Friendship (80 male and 24 female convicts) Marine Officers - Capt. Lieut. Meredith, Lieut. Clarke, Lieut. Faddy

 

 

 

JANUARY 20

 

 

 

Arrival of the remainder of the ships of the First Fleet


Sirius - Captain John Hunter, Quartermaster Henry Hacking

Charlotte (100 male convicts, 24 female convicts) Marine Officers - Captain Tench, Leiut. Cresswell, Lieut. Poulden

Prince of Wales (100 female convicts) Marine Officers: Lieut. Davy, Lieut. Timmins

Lady Penrhyn (102 female convicts) Marine Officers: Capt. Campbell, Lieut. G. Johnston, Lieut. William Collins

and Store ships

Golden Grove, Fishburn and Borrowdale with provisions, implements, clothing etc.

 

 

JANUARY 21

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Governor Phillip accompanied by officers set off in three open boats to examine the coast in the hope of finding a more suitable site for settlement than Botany Bay. Finding in a cove of 'this noble and capacious harbour' a sufficiency of water and soil, he returned to Botany Bay after an absence of 3 days and gave directions for immediate removal to Port Jackson.

 
 

 

 

Arrival of La Perouse to the coast of 'New Holland'

 

 

 

JANUARY 25

 

 

With a party of marines and some artificers Governor Phillip anchored off the mouth of the Cove  

JANUARY 26

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The Monthly Review By Ralph Griffiths, George Edward Griffiths  

 

On this day sufficient ground was cleared for an encampment of the officer's guard and the convicts who had landed in the morning. This was situated at the head of the cover near a run of fresh water (later known as the Tank Stream) 'which stole silently through a very thick wood'. In the evening of the 26th the whole of the party present assembled where they had first landed in the morning and a union jack was displayed on a flag staff built for the purpose. The marines fired several vollies and toasts to the health of His Majesty and the success of the new colony were given.

 

JANUARY 27

To view a List of the Convicts of the First Fleet Select HERE (Select Full Screen)

 

Disembarkation of the troops and remainder of the convicts on this day. A portable canvas house brought for the Governor was erected on the East side of Sydney Cove and a detachment of marines were encamped at the head of the Cove. The main body of the convicts were placed on the West side  

 

JANUARY 28

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The History of Modern Europe and a view of the progress of societ By Charles Coote, William Russell

French ships L'Astrolabe and La Bussole under Commanders De la Perouse and De d' Angle anchored in Botany Bay. Assisted into Botany Bay by Lieut. Henry Ball of HMS Supply  

 FEBRUARY 3

More about Rev. Johnson  from State Library of NSW

 

First Church Service in Australia conducted by Rev. Richard Johnson at Sydney Cove  

FEBRUARY 6

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The Monthly Review By Ralph Griffiths, George Edward Griffiths

Philip Gidley King appointed Superintendent and commandant of Norfolk Island - Departed on 14th February in the Supply for Norfolk with a petty officer, surgeon's mate, two marines, two men who understood cultivation of flax and 9 men and 6 women convicts.

 

Colony of NSW formally proclaimed and Governor's commission read, appointing Captain Arthur Phillip to be captain general and governor in chief over the territory of New South Wales. The ceremony was performed by the judge-advocate, David Collins.

 

 

 

Discovery of Lord Howe Island by Lieut. Ball

 

 
 

FEBRUARY 27

 

First Execution in the colony - Convict Thomas Barrett hanged for stealing  
Formal establishment of settlement at Norfolk Island  

MARCH 10

La Perouse in Sydney in 1909. (The camp site of La Perouse during his 6 week stay)

 

Departure of Jean-François de Galaup La Perouse {Comte de La Pérouse} from Botany Bay after a six week stay.  He was not heard of again.  
On the point of land which formed the west side of Sydney Cove, an Observatory building was constructed under the direction of Lieutenant Dawes who was charged with observing the expected comet. (HRA.,Vol.1., p47)  

JULY 20

Providence Petrel- Extinct on Norfolk Island by 1800

Departure of Lieutenant Ball on the Golden Grove with provisions for Norfolk Island. Strong gales on the passage there. Returned to Sydney 26th August  
Duel fought between Surgeon-General White and his assistant Major William Balmain  
 

Departure of the Sirius to the Cape to obtain provisions after the failure of crops and destruction of grains and seeds  
Departure of the Golden Grove store ship for Norfolk Island with provisions and a detachment of marines, 2 seamen and 11 convict women  
 

NOVEMBER 16

 

 

 

 

Officers on duty in the colony

(Historical Records of Australia, Series 1,Governor's' Despatches to and from England, Volume 1, 1788- 1796. p103)

 
Capture of Arabanoo