Charlotte (ship)

First Fleet transport ship


The Charlotte was one of six convict transport ships in the First Fleet. The First Fleet carried the convicts and soldiers to Australia to start a penal colony. This was the start of European settlement of Australia. The Charlotte was built on the Thames about 1785, was a ship of 345 tons.[1] She was under the command of Thomas Gilbert.[2] She was 105 ft (32 m) long and 28 ft (9 m) wide.[3] The ship had a contract with the British Government to carry convicts. The owners were paid at a rate of 10 shillings per ton per month. They had to agree to keep the prisoners secure and safe.[2] She carried 88 male and 20 female convicts. After transporting the convicts to New South Wales, the Charlotte was under contract to work for the East India Company.

References change

  1. Alan, Frost (2011). The First Fleet: the real story. Collingwood, Victoria: Black Inc. p. 91. ISBN 9781863955294.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "First Fleet". Australian Encyclopaedia. Vol. IV. Angus and Robertson. 1958. pp. 72–76.
  3. Crago, Tony (2004). The First Fleet and year of Settlement. Woollahra Sales and Imports. ISBN 1876553286.

Other websites change