Dictionary of Sydney

The Dictionary of Sydney was archived in 2021.

HMAT Supply

The oldest and smallest First Fleet ship. Built in 1759 as an armed tender of 175 tons it became the colony's only link with the outside world after the loss of the HMS Sirius in 1790. Often mistakenly referred to as the HMS Supply.

Milestone
Constructed
1759
Name
Commemorated by
Commemorated by
Alternate
Thomas and Nancy
1792 - 1806
Occupation
1787 - 1792
Position
1787 - 1788
1787 - 1788
1787 - 1788
1787 - 1788
1787 - 1792
Property
Part of
Type

First Fleet

CC BY-SA 2.0
,
2015

Phillip described the transportation of convicts to New South Wales as a voyage 'to the extremity of the globe'. Having successfully managed both the ships and the convicts, the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove brought Phillip new challenges: how to keep men and women, convicts and alcohol, camp and fleet, apart.

HMAT Supply

CC BY-SA 2.0
,
2015

HMAT Supply was the smallest and fastest ship in the First Fleet. A naval vessel, she carried 16 marines and accompanied the flagship HMS Sirius on the voyage to Sydney Cove. Over the next three years she made 11 more voyages, the last causing her so much damage that she was ordered back to England. She reached Plymouth on 21 April 1792.