COLONIAL

Interpreting the First Fleet Marine of the 1770s in Australia.

The First Fleet of 11 ships, left Portsmouth in 1787 with more than 1480 men, women and children onboard. Although most were British, there were also African, American and French convicts. After a voyage of three months the First Fleet arrived at Botany Bay on 24 January 1788. 

Four companies of marines, comprising 213 men, commanded by Major Robert Ross, sailed with the First Fleet for Australia in 1789 and remained in the Colony until their relief by the New South Wales Corps in 1791.

The official objectives for the NSW detachment were – to form a military establishment on shore for the dual purpose of protecting the settlement against aborigines and preserving good order.

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