Australia Philately: N.S.W. Stamp Promotion Council – NSWSPC 009

The “Supply” and other ships, including HMS “Sirius” after arrival in Botany Bay. From a drawing by R. Clevely and engraved by T. Medland in the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich (England).

The First Fleet, commanded by Governor Captain Arthur Phillip comprised 11 ships, with Sirius, the Flagship, commanded by Captain John Hunter, and the Brig Supply by Lieut. Henry Lidgbird Ball. The transports carrying the convicts were: Alexander, Scarborough, Charlotte, Prince of Wales, Lady Penrhyn, Friendship. The storeships were: Fishburn, Golden Grove and Borrowdale.

Phillip transferred from Sirius to Supply on 25 November, 1787 to proceed ahead and seek out suitable accommodation at Botany Bay, accompanied by the Scarborough, the Friendship and the Alexander, the fastest of the transports under the command of Lieut. John Shortland and Lieut. Philip Gidley King.

The supply reached Botany Bay on 18 January 1788. The Alexander, Scarborough and Friendship arrived on 19th of January and the Sirius and remainder of the Fleet on the January 20th.

Phillip, with several of his officers took three row boats from Botany Bay to Port Jackson which he described “as one of the finest harbours in the world”. They returned to Botany Bay and brought the fleet to Port Jackson where it reassembled in the evening of the 26th January, 1788 and raised the colours and toasted the King’s health.