First Fleet

The First Fleet is a term used to describe a group of eleven ships that sailed from England to Australia in 1788. You may think this would be a serious topic, but we assure you, it’s not. Let’s take a humorous look at the First Fleet, shall we?

The “First” Edition

The First Fleet was a group of 11 ships that sailed to Australia in 1788, led by Captain Arthur Phillip. But let’s be honest, they weren’t the first people to arrive in Australia. The Aborigines had been living there for over 40,000 years, but I guess that doesn’t count because they didn’t have fancy ships and the ability to claim land for a country they didn’t belong to.

The “Fleet” of Foot

The term “fleet” usually refers to a group of ships, but in this case, it seems to be a bit of a misnomer. The journey to Australia took eight months and the conditions were less than stellar. The ships were overcrowded and disease spread quickly. By the time they arrived in Australia, over 10% of the passengers had died. If that’s a fleet, then I’m a unicorn.

A “Ship” Show

Let’s talk about the ships for a moment, shall we? They were the HMS Sirius, HMS Supply, HMS Friendship, Lady Penrhyn, Prince of Wales, Alexander, Scarborough, Charlotte, Friendship, and the Borrowdale. Many of these ships were former cargo ships, which means they weren’t exactly luxury liners. Passengers slept in hammocks and had no privacy. I hope they didn’t get seasick, because there wasn’t exactly a first-class lounge to retire to.

A “First” Class Expedition

The trip to Australia was full of excitement and adventure, depending on your definition of those terms. The passengers included convicts, soldiers, and sailors, all eager to explore this new land. It’s safe to say that nobody on this expedition was living their best life. And let’s not forget the poor souls who were sent to Australia as punishment for crimes as small as stealing bread. Talk about a first-class trip to hell.

The “First” Step

When the First Fleet arrived in Australia, they set up a settlement in what is now Sydney. This was the beginning of European colonization in Australia, and we all know how that turned out. But let’s focus on the positive for a moment. The arrival of the First Fleet marked a new era of exploration and discovery. And who knows, without the First Fleet, we may not have such great things as kangaroo meat and Tim Tams.