Why did the First Fleet stop at Botany Bay?
The First Fleet arrived at Botany Bay on 20 January 1788. Unfortunately, Botany Bay did not live up to the glowing account provided by the explorer Captain James Cook and was not suitable for the establishment of a colony.
Why was Botany Bay rejected as the site of the first British settlement?
Before venturing down the path of establishing a colony, however, an exploratory voyage was sent to the African coast. It concluded the site was unsuitable as it lacked an effective harbour and fertile land.
Why was Botany Bay not a good place to establish a colony?
He argued against the strategic position of Botany Bay in relationship to naval trade. Like many, Mackay feels that the establishment of the colony was rushed and poorly done and ‘crisis orientated’ not a good start if the motives were really for naval trade and timber supply.
What challenges faced the earliest settlers in Botany Bay?
Finally, on January 19, the last ships of the First Fleet arrived in Botany Bay. But after just three days there, Phillip realised that the site was unfit for settlement. It had poor soil, insufficient freshwater supplies, and was exposed to strong southerly and easterly winds.
Why did the first fleet move from Botany Bay to Sydney Cove?
Sailors, cooks, masons, and other workers hoped to establish new lives in the new colony. Perhaps most famously, the First Fleet included more than 700 convicts. The settlement at Botany Bay was intended to be a penal colony.
Where did the first fleet stop?
The First Fleet left Portsmouth, England on 13 May 1787. 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.
When was Botany Bay settled?
January 26, 1788
January 1, 1901
Botany Bay/Dates settled
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.
When did First Fleet arrive in Botany Bay?
On May 13, 1787, the “First Fleet” of military leaders, sailors, and convicts set sail from Portsmouth, England, to found the first European colony in Australia, Botany Bay.