Remembering the Past Australia

Governor Phillip's Arrival With the First Fleet 

Appeared in Print in:

The Sydney Morning Herald

Wednesday 22 April 1863

Governor Phillip's Arrival With the First Fleet in Botany Bay - The Bay Examined - Arrival of the Whole Fleet - The Ground Near the Watering Place Ordered to be Immediately Cleared - Port Jackson Examined - Second and Third Interviews with Natives - Governor Phillip Returns to Botany Bay, and Gives Orders for Evacuation of it - Arrival of Two French Ships - Preparations for Encampment - Difficulties.

JANUARY 18th, 1788. - At the very first landing of Governor Phillip on the shores of Botany Bay, an interview with the natives took place. They were all armed, but on seeing the Governor approach with signs of friendship, alone and unarmed, they readily returned his confidence by laying down their weapons. They were perfectly devoid of clothing, yet seemed fond of ornaments, putting the beads and red baize that wire given them on their heads or necks, and appearing pleased to wear them. The presents offered by their new visitors were all readily accepted, nor did any kind of disagreement arise while the ships remained in Botany Bay. This very pleasing effect was produced in no small degree by the personal address, as well us by the great care and attention of the Governor. Nor were the orders which enforced a conduct so humane more honourable to the persons from whom they originated, than the punctual execution of them was to the officers sent out. It was evident that their wishes coincided with their duty, and that a sanguinary temper was no longer to disgrace the European settlers in countries newly discovered.

The next care after landing was the examination of the bay itself, from which it appeared that, though extensive, it did not afford a shelter from the easterly winds; and that in consequence of its shallowness, ships, even of a moderate draught, would always be obliged to anchor with the entrance of the bay open, where they must be exposed to a heavy seas, that rolls in whenever it blows hard from the eastward.

Several runs of fresh water were found in different parts of the bay, but there did not appear to be any situation to which there was not some very strong objection. In the northern part of it is a small creek, which runs a considerable way into the country, but it has water only for a boat, the sides of it are frequently overflowed, and the low lands near it are a perfect swamp. The western branch of the bay is continued to a great extent, but the officers sent to examine it could not find there any supply of fresh water, except in very small drains.

Point Sutherland offered the most eligible situation, having a river of good water, though not in very great abundance; but to this part of the harbour the ships could not approach, and the ground near it, even in the highest parts, was, in general, damp and spongy. Smaller numbers might indeed, in several spots, have, found a comfortable residence ; but no place was found, in the whole circuit of Botany Bay, which seemed at all calculated fur the reception of so large a settlement. While this examination was carried on, the whole fleet had arrived. The Supply had not so much out sailed the other ships, as to give Governor Phillip the advantage he had expected in point of time. On the 19th of January the Alexander, Scarborough, and Friendship cast anchor in Botany Bay ; and, on the 20th, the Sirius with the remainder of the convoy. These ships had all continued very healthy ; they had not, however, yet arrived at their final station. 

The openness of this bay, and the dampness of the soil, by which the people would probably be rendered unhealthy, had already determined the Governor to seek another situation. He resolved, therefore, to examine Port Jackson, a bay mentioned by Captain Cook as immediately to the north of this. There he hoped to find not only a better harbour, but a fitter place for the establishment of his new government. But, that no time might be lost, in case of a disappointment in these particulars, the ground near Point Sutherland was ordered immediately to be cleared, and preparations to be made for landing under the direction if the Lieutenant-Governor.

These arrangements having been settled, Governor Phillip prepared to proceed to the examination of Port Jackson, and as the time of his absence, had he gone in the Supply, must have been very uncertain, he went round with three boats, taking with him Captain Hunter and several other officers, that by examining several parts of the harbour at once the greater dispatch might be made. On the 22nd of January they set out upon this expedition, and early in the afternoon arrived at Port Jackson, which is distant about three leagues. Here all regret, arising from the former disappointments, was at once obliterated, and Governor Phillip had the satisfaction to find one of the finest harbours in the world, in which a thousand sail of the line might ride in perfect security.

The different coves of this harbour were examined with all possible expedition, and the preference was given to one which had the finest spring of water, and in which ships can anchor to close to the shore, that, at a very small expense, quays may be constructed at which the largest vessels may unload. This cove is about half a mile in length, and a quarter of a mile across at the entrance. In honour of Lord Sydney, the Governor distinguished it by the name of "Sydney Cove."

On the arrival of the boats at Port Jackson, a second party of the natives made its appearance near the place of landing. These also were aimed with lances, and at first were vociferous; but the same gentle means used towards the others, easily persuaded these also to discard their suspicions, and to accept whatsoever was offered. One man, in particular, who appeared to be the chief of this tribe, snowed very singular marks of confidence in his new friends, and of determined resolution. Under the guidance of Governor Phillip, to whom he voluntarily intrusted, himself, he went to a part of the beach where the men belonging to the boats were then boiling their meat; when he approached the marines, who were drawn up near that place, and saw that by proceeding he should be separated from his companions, who remained with several of the officers at some distance, he stopped, and with great firmness seemed by word and gestures, to threaten revenge if any advantage should be taken of his situation. He then went on with perfect calmness to examine what was boiling in the bot, and by the manner in which he expressed his admiration, made it evident that he intended to profit by what he saw. Governor Phillip contrived to make him understand that large shells might conveniently be used for the same purpose, and it is probable that by these hints, added to his own observation, he might be enabled to introduce the art of boiling among his countrymen. Hitherto they appeared to have known no other way of dressing food except that of broiling. Their methods of kindling fire are very imperfect and laborious, for it is observed that they usually keep it burning and are very rarely seen without either a fire actually made, or piece of lighted wood, which they carry with them from place to place, and even in their canoes. The perpetual fires which, in some countries, formed a part of the national religion had, perhaps, no other origin than a similar inability to produce it at pleasure; and if we suppose the original flame to have been kindled by lightning, the fiction of its coming down from heaven will be found to deviate very little from the truth.

In passing near a point of and in this harbour, the boats were perceived by a number of the natives, twenty of whom waded into the water unarmed, received what was offered them, and examined the boat with a curiosity which impressed a higher idea of them than any former accounts of their manners had suggested. This confidence and manly behaviour induced Governor Phillip, who was highly pleased with it, to give the place the name of “Manly Cove." The same people afterwards joined the party at the place where they had landed to dine. They were then armed, two of them with shields and swords, the rest with lances only. The swords were made of wood, small in the gripe, and, apparently, less formidable than a good stick. One of these men had a kind of white clay rubbed upon the upper part of his face, so as to have the appearance of a mask. This ointment, if it can be called such, is not common among them, and is probably assumed only on particular occasions, or as a distinction to a few individuals. One woman had been seen on the rocks as the boats passed, with her face, neck, and breasts thus painted, and to our people appeared the most disgusting figure imaginable; her own countrymen were, perhaps, delighted by the beauty of the effect. During the preparation for dinner, the curiosity of these visitors rendered them very troublesome, but an innocent contrivance altogether removed the inconvenience. Governor Phillip drew a circle round the place where the English were, and, without much difficulty made the natives understand that they were not to pass that line ; after which they sat down in perfect quietness ; another proof how tractable these people are when no insult or injury is offered, and when proper means are taken to influence the simplicity of their minds.

January 24th, 1788. - On the 24th of January, Governor Phillip, having sufficiently explored Port Jackson, and found it in all respects highly calculated to receive such a settlement as he was appointed to establish, returned to Botany Bay. On his arrival there, the reports made to him both of the ground which the people were clearing, and of the upper parts of the bay, which in this interval had been more particularly examined, were in the greatest degree unfavourable. It was impossible after this, to hesitate concerning the choice of a situation and orders were accordingly issued for the removal of the whole fleet to Port Jackson.

That Botany Bay should have appeared to Captain Cook in a more advantageous light than to Governor Phillip, is not by any means extraordinary. Their objects were very different - the one required only shelter and refreshment for a small vessel, and during but a short time - the other had great numbers to provide for, and was necessitated to find a place wherein ships of very considerable burthen might approach the shore with ease, and lie at all times in perfect security. The appearance of the place is picturesque and pleasing, and the ample harvest it afforded of botanical acquisitions made it interesting to the philosophical gentlemen engaged in that expedition; but something more essential than beauty of appearance, and more necessary than philosophical riches, must be sought in a place where the permanent residence of multitudes is to be established.

Preparations for a general removal were now made with all convenient expedition, but on the morning of the 24th the greatest astonishment was spread throughout the fleet by the appearance of two ships under French colours. In this remote region, visitors from Europe were very little expected, and their arrival, while the cause of it remained unknown, produced in some minds a temporary apprehension, accompanied by a multiplicity of conjectures, many of them sufficiently ridiculous. Governor Phillip was the first to recollect that two ships had been sent out, some time before, from France for the purpose of discovery, and rightly concluded these to be the same. But as the opposition of the wind and a strong current prevented them from at present working into the harbour, and even drove them out of sight again to the South, he did not think proper to delay his departure for the sake of making further inquiry.

January 25th, 1788. - On the 25th of January, therefore, seven days after the arrival of the Supply, Governor Phillip quitted Botany Bay in the same ship, and sailed to Port Jackson. The rest of the fleet, under convoy of the Sirius, was ordered to follow as soon as the abatement of the wind - which then blew a strong gale - should facilitate its working out of the Bay. The Supply was scarcely out of sight when the French ships again appeared off the mouth of the harbour, and a boat was immediately sent to them, with offers of every kind of information and assistance their situation could require. It was now learnt that these were, as the Governor had supposed, the Boussole and the Astrolabe, on a voyage of discovery under the conduct of Monsieur La Perouse.

January 26th, 1788. - On the 26th, the transports and store ships, attended by the Sirius, finally evacuated Botany Bay; and in a very short time they were all assembled in Sydney Cove, the place now destined for their port and for the reception of the new settlement. The French ships had come to an anchor in Botany Bay just before the departure of the Sirius; and, during the intercourse which then took place, M. La Perouse had expressed a strong desire of having some letters conveyed to Europe. Governor Phillip was no sooner informed of this than he despatched an officer to him with full information of the time when it was probable our ships would sail, and with assurances that his letters should be punctually transmitted. By this officer, the following intelligence was brought back concerning the voyages of the Astrolabe and Boussole.

These vessels had sailed from France in June, 1786. They had touched at the Isle of Santa Catherina, on the coast of Brazil; from thence had gone by the extremity of South America into the Pacific Ocean, where they had run along by the coasts of Chili and California. They had afterwards visited Easter Island, Nootka Sound, Cook's River, Kamsobatka, Manila, the Isles des Navigateurs, Sandwich and the Friendly Islands. M. La Perouse had also anchored off Norfolk Island, but could not land on account of the surf. 

In this long voyage he had not lost any of his people by sickness, but two boats' crews had unfortunately perished in a surf on the north-west coast of America; and at Masuns, one of the Isles des Navigateurs, M. L'Angle, captain of the Astrolabe, had met with a fate still more unfortunate. That officer had gone ashore with two long-boats for the purpose of filling some water-casks. His party amounted to forty men, and the natives, from whom, the French had received abundance of refreshments, and with whom they had been uniformly on the best terms, did not on their landing show any signs of a change of disposition. Malice unprovoked, and treachery without a motive, seem inconsistent even with the manners of savages; the French officers, therefore, confiding in this unbroken state of amity, had suffered their boats to lie aground. But whether it were that the friendly behaviour of the natives had proceeded only from fear, or that some unknown offence had been given, they seized the moment when the men were busied in getting out the boats to make an attack, equally furious and unexpected. The assault was made with stones, of which prodigious numbers were thrown with extraordinary force and accuracy of direction. To this treachery M. L'Angle fell a sacrifice, and with him twelve of his party, officers and men. The long-boats were destroyed, and the remainder of those who had gone ashore escaped with difficulty in their small boats. The ships, in the meantime were under sail, and having passed a point of land that intercepted the view, knew nothing of this melancholy and unaccountable affray till the boats returned.

This fatal result, from too implicit a confidence, may, perhaps very properly, increase the caution of Europeans in their commerce with savages, but ought not to excite suspicion. The resentments of such people are sudden and sanguinary; and, where the intercourse of language is wanting, may easily be awakened by misapprehension; but it seems possible to treat them with sufficient marks of confidence without abandoning the guards of prudence. Offence is often given by the men while, the officers are most studious to preserve harmony, and against the transports of rage which arise on such occasions, it is always necessary to be prepared. Perhaps, also, a degree of awe should always be kept up, even to preserve their friendship. It has been uniformly remarked by our people, that defenceless stragglers are generally ill treated by the natives of New South Wales, while towards parties armed and on their guard, they behave in the most amiable manner.

The debarkation was now made at Sydney Cove, and the work of clearing the ground for the encampment, as well as for the store houses and other buildings, was begun without loss of time. But the labour which attended this necessary operation, was greater than can easily be imagined by those who were not spectators of it. The coast, as well as the neighbouring country in general, is covered with wood; and though in this spot the trees stood more apart, and were less encumbered with underwood than in many other places, yet their magnitude was such as to render not only the felling, but the removal of them afterwards, a task of no small difficulty. By the habitual indolence of the convicts, and the want of proper overseers to keep them to their duty, their labour was rendered less efficient than it might have been. 

In the evening of the 26th, the colours were displayed on shore, and the Governor, with several of his principal officers and others, assembled round the flagstaff, drank the king's health, and success to the settlement, with all that display of form which on such occasions is deemed propitious, because it enlivens the spirits and fills the imagination with pleasing presages. From this time to the end of the first week in February all was hurry and exertion. They who gave orders, and they who received them, were equally occupied; nor is it easy to conceive a busier scene than this part of the coast exhibited during the continuance of these first efforts towards establishment.

The plan of the encampment was quickly formed, and places were marked out for every different purpose, so us to introduce, as much as possible, strict order and regularity. The materials and framework to construct a slight temporary habitation for the Governor had been brought out from England, ready formed; these were landed and put together with as much expedition as the circumstances would allow. Hospital tents were also, without delay, erected, for which there was soon but too much occasion. In the passage from the Cape there had been but little sickness, nor had many died, even among the convicts; but soon after landing a dysentery prevailed, which, in several instances, proved fatal, and the scurvy began to rage with a violence, which kept the hospital tents generally supplied with patients. For those afflicted with this disorder the advantage of fish or other fresh provisions could but rarely be procured; nor were esculent vegetables often obtained in sufficient plenty to produce any material alleviation of the complaint. 

In the dysentery, the red gum of the tree which principally abounds on the coast was found a very powerful remedy. The yellow gum has been discovered to possess the same property, but in an inferior degree.

Sources: 

1. Governor Phillip's Arrival With the First Fleet  (1863, April 22). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 2. 
2. A view in Port Jackson taken from Sirius Island; the Sirius lying of [sic] the entrance of Sydney Cove, 1788 / possibly by William Bradley; Courtesy: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
3. A view in upper part of Port Jackson; when the fish was shot, 1788 / possibly by William Bradley; Courtesy: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
4. "The Founding of Australia. By Capt. Arthur Phillip R.N. Sydney Cove, Jan. 26th 1788" / Original [oil] sketch [1937] by Algernon Talmage R.A.; Courtesy: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales