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RESEARCHED BY PETER KILLACKEY |
| The first fleet, consisting of a war-ship, the Sirius, an armed tender, the Supply, six transports and three storeships, left Spithead (Portsmouth) on 13th May, 1787.
Three weeks after the journey began, the fleet made their first stop at Santa Cruz, in the Isle of Teneriffe and Phillip was able to make a complete inspection of the ships and their convict passengers. |
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FIRST FLEET TRAVEL ITINERARY |
| Departed |
PORTSMOUTH |
May 13th, 1787 |
| Arrived |
TENERIFFE |
June 3rd, 1787 |
| Departed |
TENERIFFE |
June 10th, 1787 |
| Arrived |
RIO de JANIERO |
Aug 7th, 1787 |
| Departed |
RIO de JANIERO |
Sept 4th, 1787 |
| Arrived |
CAPETOWN |
Oct 13th, 1787 |
| Departed |
CAPETOWN |
Nov 12th, 1787 |
| Arrived |
BOTANY BAY |
Jan 18th, 1788 |
| THE FIRST FLEET STOPS TO INSPECT THE SHIPS |
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An attempt to seize one of the transports had been made in the Channel but the ringleaders had been detected and punished and Phillip was able to report that at Santa Cruz they were quiet and contented "tho' there are amongst them some compleat villains."
A course was then laid across the Atlantic to Rio de Janeiro where Phillip, who had served for some time in the Portuguese Navy, was very well received. Fresh provisions were taken aboard and the convicts were again declared fit and much healthier than they were when leaving England.
Such fruits and plants as were likely to thrive in New South Wales, and especially coffee, indigo, cotton and cochineal were procured. The fleet stayed at Rio for a month (5 August to 4 September) before setting out for the Cape.
The fleet spent another month here, refreshing the convicts and the crews, securing sheep, cattle, and goats, and such plants as grape, quince, apple, pear, strawberry, bamboo, sugar-cane, oak, myrtle, and fig. Once acheived, the fleet set off once again...
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