How long did it take to sail from England to Australia in 1788?

The entire journey took 252 days (a little over 8 months). From England, the fleet sailed to Australia making stops in Santa Cruz, Rio de Janeiro and Cape Town. They arrived in Botany Bay in mid- January 1788. The journey began with good weather so Captain Phillip decided to let the convicts up on deck.



The First Fleet, led by Captain Arthur Phillip, took exactly 252 days (approximately 8 months and 1 week) to travel from Portsmouth, England, to Botany Bay, Australia. The fleet of 11 ships departed on May 13, 1787, and arrived between January 18 and 20, 1788. The journey covered over 15,000 miles (24,000 km) and included three major stops for supplies: Santa Cruz (Tenerife), Rio de Janeiro, and Cape Town. Considering the technology of the time, the voyage was an extraordinary maritime feat; despite the cramped and unhygienic conditions on the convict transports, the mortality rate was remarkably low (about 3%), thanks to Phillip’s insistence on fresh food and cleanliness. Shortly after arriving at Botany Bay, the fleet moved to the more suitable Sydney Cove on January 26, 1788.

People Also Ask

For those who travelled to Australia in the nineteenth century, the journey was often long and dangerous. In calm weather a sailing ship might take as long as four months, while a well-run clipper ship with favourable winds could make the journey in a little over half this time.

MORE DETAILS

As the colonial population grew, so did the demand for female convict labour. Convict women were employed in domestic service, washing and on government farms, and were expected to find their own food and lodging. Punishment for those who transgressed was humiliating and public.

MORE DETAILS

The eleven ships which arrived on 26 January 1788 are known as the First Fleet. They carried around 1400 convicts, soldiers and free people. The journey from England to Australia took 252 days and there were around 48 deaths on the voyage.

MORE DETAILS