What were some problems faced by the convicts on the First Fleet?

What were some problems faced by the convicts on the First Fleet?

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.

What were the conditions on the First Fleet journey like?

On board ship conditions were harsh. The convicts spent much of their time below decks, with a bucket for water and a bucket for waste, which was carried away on deck to dispose of. Despite this, the cramped conditions meant disease could spread very quickly and dysentery and cholera were common.

What problems did the first settlers faced in Australia?

The colonists of New South Wales struggled to find fertile land, and the hot, dry climate made farming even more difficult. The seasons were different from Britain’s, and most of the plants and animals were unfamiliar. Starvation was a constant concern during the colony’s first few years.

What problems did convicts face when they arrived in Australia?

For newly arrived convicts, the environment of Sydney was strange and very different to what they were used to. During summer, days of unbearable heat were often followed by ferocious thunderstorms and torrential rain.

What were the impacts of the First Fleet?

The arrival of the First Fleet immediately affected the Eora nation, the traditional Aboriginal owners of the Sydney area. Violence between settlers and the Eora people started as soon as the colony was set up. The Eora people, particularly the warrior Pemulwuy, fought the colonisers.

How did the First Fleet impact Australia?

What effect did the First Fleet have on Australia’s first peoples? The arrival of the First Fleet immediately affected the Eora nation, the traditional Aboriginal owners of the Sydney area. Thousands of Eora people died as a result of European diseases like smallpox.

What were the conditions like for the convicts on board the ships?

They were dirty, overcrowded, and disease-ridden. Prisoners were not given medical attention, and mortality rates were high, especially during the early days before overcrowding was reduced by the advent of transportation to the Australian colonies.

How were the convicts treated on the First Fleet?

The treatment of the transported convicts was poor and the use of excessive punishment was rife throughout the penal system. Lashings were commonplace and for those prisoners who did not behave accordingly, they were taken elsewhere to suffer a secondary punishment.

What were the early struggles in the colony?

​Early struggles in the new colony All the ships except the Naval vessels “Syrius” and “Supply” had left. These two vessels were sent out to try to deal with the food shortage. In early October the “Syrius” was sent to Cape Town to buy food. Until she returned six months later, the supply of food was reduced further.

What difficulties did the British experience while settling in Australia?

Cursed with poor soil, an unfamiliar climate and workers who were ignorant of farming, Phillip had great difficulty keeping the men alive. The colony was on the verge of outright starvation for several years, and the marines sent to keep order were not up to the task.

How did convicts impact Australia?

Convicts were a source of labour to build roads, bridges, courthouses, hospitals and other public buildings, or to work on government farms, while educated convicts may have been given jobs such as record-keeping for the government administration. Female convicts, on the other hand, were generally employed as domestic …