Second Fleet project

The Dictionary of Sydney was archived in 2021.

2016

wp-image-12357https://home.dictionaryofsydney.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/PerilousSituationoftheGuardianc1790.jpgThe perilous situation of The Guardian Frigate as she appeared striking on the rocks of ice c1790. By Robert Dighton. From the Mitchell Library collection of the State Library of New South Wales [a1528527 / ML 1112 (a)]600432/> The perilous situation of The Guardian Frigate as she appeared striking on the rocks of ice c1790. By Robert Dighton. From the Mitchell Library collection of the State Library of New South Wales [a1528527 / ML 1112 (a)]

In February we finished our Second Fleet project supported by the Australian National Maritime Museum through the Maritime Museums of Australia Project Support Scheme. The grant allowed us to produce seven new entries including a thematic essay, Second Fleet, by Sydney historian Michael Flynn as well as articles encompassing the voyage of the ships Lady Juliana, HMS Guardian, Surprize, Neptune, Scarborough and the store ship Justinian by Penny Edwell. The Dictionary’s existing entities on the Second Fleet ships were also expanded to include the entire fleet. Yesterday on 2SER, Michael Flynn joined Mitch Byatt on the Breakfast program to talk about the project, in particular:

Why did the fleet came to be known as ‘the death fleet’ and what the implications were for the new colony?
Why did The Lady Juliana have the lowest death rate?
The fleet brought the three people to the colony who were to have a huge historical impact on the colony – who were they?
Exactly where did the fleet land the convicts in Circular Quay?

You can listen to the podcast of the segment here: LISTEN NOW. The Dictionary of Sydney is grateful to the Australian National Maritime Museum for their assistance in increasing our coverage of the Second Fleet.