What crimes did the convicts commit?
10 common crimes committed by convicts
- Petty theft. By far the most common crime that led to transportation was petty theft or larceny.
- Burglary or housebreaking.
- Highway robbery.
- Stealing clothing.
- Stealing animals.
- Military offences.
- Prostitution.
- Crimes of deception.
What did the convicts wear?
Male convicts in Australia typically wore prison ‘slops’, with calico, duff or canvas trousers, striped cotton shirt and grey wool jacket. In later years, inmates in female factories wore drab cotton clothing stencilled with a ‘C’, and convict women might have their heads shaved.
What was it like on the First Fleet as a convict?
Two navy ships, six convict transports and three store ships. The convicts were housed below deck and often further confined behind bars. Conditions were extremely cramped. In many cases the prisoners were restrained in chains and were only allowed on deck for fresh air and exercise.
How did convicts escape?
Once past the prison walls, an escaped convict had three options: they could remain in or near the settlements and survive by stealing from settlers (these convicts who escaped and became bushrangers were called ‘bolters’) they could attempt to escape the colony by land (which meant travelling across the desert)
What did female convicts wear on the First Fleet?
The women wore clothes such as ‘slops’ in blue or brown serge, or a stuff gown, white apron and straw bonnet for Sunday with a jacket and a coarse apron for weekdays.
Where did convicts eat on the First Fleet?
Convicts who worked far away from the Barracks had their meals carried out to the worksites on carts. Convicts only had two meals per day; as ‘dinner’ was their last meal, they kept some of their bread to eat later. The Barracks had a bakery, which was always busy making bread for the convicts to eat.
What challenges did the First Fleet face?
It had poor soil, insufficient freshwater supplies, and was exposed to strong southerly and easterly winds. With all the cargo and 1,400 starving convicts still anchored in Botany Bay, Phillip and a small party, including Hunter, quickly set off in three boats to find an alternative place to settle.
Did any convicts escape the first fleet?
Some convicts actually did get away. For example, in December 1820, William Russell and William Atkins escaped from the Barracks, and left the colony in a boat. Also in December 1820, George Napier ran away from his government work gang without permission. He was still on the run in January the following year.
How many convicts were on the First Fleet?
The First Fleet is the name given to the group of eleven ships carryig convicts, the first to do so, that left England in May 1787 and arrived in Australia in January 1788. The ships departed with an estimated 775 convicts (582 men and 193 women), as well as officers, marines, their wives and children, and provisions and agricultural implements.
What are some interesting facts about the First Fleet?
First Fleet facts for kids. The ships sailing into Botany Bay. The First Fleet is the name given to the 11 ships which sailed from Great Britain on 13 May 1787, to start the first European colony in New South Wales. It was the beginning of a plan to send thousands of prisoners to Australia to make convict settlements.
What did the first fleet carry to Australia?
The First Fleet is the name given to the first group of eleven ships that carried convicts from England to Australia in 1788. Beginning in 1787 the ships departed with about 778 convicts (586 men, 192 women), provisions and agricultural implements.
Who was the British officer in the First Fleet?
Tench was a British marine officer who arrived in Botany Bay with the First Fleet. Try this book as it might have a mini biography of the convict you’re researching. These biographies were created using convict lists, musters, colonial returns and original journals from First Fleet officers, marines and convicts.