S3 Australia - Convict Settlement

Britain had been sending criminals to the colonies in America since the early 1600s, but the American War of Independence in 1776 caused Britain to rethink what they had to do with criminals in order to protect British society as prisons were becoming overcrowded.

Australia had been claimed for Britain in 1770 and the British Parliament decided to send its criminals to this far-off place, establishing New South Wales as a penal colony. Criminals were offered the chance of exile or to be put to death if they remained in Britain. Crimes that resulted criminals being exiled were often crimes that would be considered far less serious today. Crimes such as pickpocketing, burglary, forging, and rioting could all result in someone being transported to Australia as a convict.

On January 20th, 1788, the first fleet arrived in Botany Bay, New South Wales carrying over 700 convicts as well as their families, and over 500 Marines and officers. More penal colonies were established throughout Australia in the 19th century.

Upon arrival, they were separated into groups according to their skills. Those who had skills, such as carpenters, blacksmiths, and stonemasons were put to work on government projects including building roads, bridges, hospitals, etc. Unskilled convicts were assigned labouring roles which included collecting and burning seashells to create lime mortar, and breaking rocks into gravel, which was used for the construction projects. Free settlers or those who had already served their time as convicts were allowed to choose convicts to work for them as servants.

Around 1 in 7 of the convicts were women, and they were employed as domestic servants to the officers or worked in the female factories making and washing clothes. Many of these women married quickly as free settlers were often looking for a wife.

At first, convicts wore their own clothing, but as more free settlers arrived over time, it became necessary to establish a uniform for the convicts in order to distinguish them from innocent people. In the early 1800s, a black and yellow uniform was introduced. It contained broad arrows, which showed that the clothing and the convict were government property.

Convicts were harshly disciplined for being lazy or unruly at their job. Punishments included wearing heavy ankle irons or chains, being flogged, and solitary confinement. If convicts continued to cause problems, they were sent to more remote prisons in Norfolk Island, Port Macquarie, and Moreton Bay. Women were punished by having their heads shaved or being placed in solitary confinement.

Some prisoners tried to escape, but the harsh wilderness of Australia was a deterrent. Those who did escape, would fight and steal from the Aboriginal people, who had been on the continent for 60,000 years.

Sentences ranged from seven years to life. After serving their sentence, convicts were given a ticket of leave, which meant they could work for themselves. Not many returned to Britain as they could not afford the trip back.

Between 1788 and 1868, it is estimated that about 165,000 convicts were transported to the Australian penal colonies from Britain.