first fleet voyage duration

HISTORIC ARTICLE

May 13, 1787 ce: 'first fleet' sets sail for australia.

On May 13, 1787, the “First Fleet” of military leaders, sailors, and convicts set sail from Portsmouth, England, to found the first European colony in Australia, Botany Bay.

Geography, Social Studies, World History

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On May 13, 1787, a group of over 1,400 people in 11 ships set sail from Portsmouth, England. Their destination was a vaguely described bay in the continent of Australia, newly discovered to Europeans. In a stunning feat of planning and navigation , nearly all of the voyagers survived and arrived in Botany Bay several months later.

A wide variety of people made up this legendary “First Fleet .” Military and government officials, along with their wives and children, led the group. Sailors, cooks, masons, and other workers hoped to establish new lives in the new colony .

Perhaps most famously, the First Fleet included more than 700 convicts . The settlement at Botany Bay was intended to be a penal colony . The convicts of the First Fleet included both men and women. Most were British, but a few were American, French, and even African. Their crimes ranged from theft to assault. Most convicts were sentenced to seven years’ “transportation” (the term for the sending of prisoners to a usually far-off penal colony ).

The First Fleet departed from Portsmouth, then briefly docked in the Canary Islands off the coast of Africa. The ships then crossed the Atlantic Ocean to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where they took on huge stores of supplies. Then the fleet sailed back across the Atlantic to Cape Town, South Africa, where they took on even more food, including livestock . The main portion of the journey was across the entire Indian Ocean, from Cape Town to Botany Bay —they traveled about 24,000 kilometers (15,000 miles) throughout the entire journey.

Botany Bay was not as hospitable as the group had hoped. The bay was shallow, there was not a large supply of freshwater, and the land was not fertile . Nearby, however, officers of the First Fleet discovered a beautiful harbor with all those qualities. They named it after the British Home Secretary, Lord Sydney. The day the First Fleet discovered Sydney Harbor is celebrated as Australia’s national holiday , Australia Day.

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Last Updated

October 19, 2023

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Related Resources

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware this website contains images, voices and names of people who have died.

Exile or opportunity?

1788: Captain Arthur Phillip establishes a convict settlement at Sydney Cove

Colonial Australia

Indigenous Australia

Learning area

Use the following additional activities and discussion questions to encourage students (in small groups or as a whole class) to think more deeply about this defining moment.

Questions for discussion

1. What, if any, have been the long-term effects of convict transportation on Australian society?

2. Do you agree with the National Museum of Australia that the arrival of the First Fleet is a defining moment in Australian history? Explain your answer.

Image activities

1. Look carefully at all the images for this defining moment. Tell this story in pictures by placing them in whatever order you think works best. Write a short caption under each image.

2. Which 3 images do you think are the most important for telling this story? Why?

3. If you could pick only one image to represent this story, which one would you choose? Why?

Finding out more

1. What else would you like to know about this defining moment? Write a list of questions and then share these with your classmates. As a group, create a final list of 3 questions and conduct some research to find the answers.

In a snapshot

The arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in January of 1788 marked the beginning of the European colonisation of Australia. The fleet was made up of 11 ships carrying convicts from Britain to Australia. Their arrival changed forever the lives of the Eora people, the traditional Aboriginal owners of the land in the Sydney area, and began waves of convict transportation that lasted until 1868.

‘Sketch & description of the settlement at Sydney Cove Port Jackson in the County of Cumberland.’ Drawn by Francis Fowkes.

National Library of Australia, MAP NK 276

Can you find out?

1. Who were Australia’s first convicts? Why were they transported to Australia?

2. How did Governor Arthur Phillip manage the colony of New South Wales?

3. What were the main ways Aboriginal people were affected by the arrival of Phillip and the First Fleet?

Colour publication printed for the 150th Anniversary Celebrations of Australia, 1938. Captain Arthur Phillip is featured.

National Museum of Australia

Why was a convict colony set up in Australia?

Britain used transportation to distant lands as a way of getting rid of prisoners. After Britain lost its American colonies in 1783 the jails of England were full. The British decided to begin transporting prisoners to Australia, which had recently been claimed for the British Crown by Lieutenant James Cook. 

Prisoners (also known as convicts) were transported for many reasons but mainly for crimes that we might consider to be minor today, such as stealing. Convicts who were transported were usually poor, often from the large industrial cities and were mostly from England (with a large minority from Ireland and Scotland).

The First Fleet of 11 ships, commanded by Captain Arthur Phillip, set up a convict settlement at Sydney Cove (now Circular Quay) on 26 January 1788. This was the beginning of convict settlement in Australia.

A colour engraving of a family of four travelling in the Port Jackson area

Who was Australia’s first governor?

Captain Arthur Phillip was an experienced naval officer who became first governor of the colony of New South Wales. He faced many challenges in the early years of settlement. He was prepared to punish people who broke the rules, but also rewarded convicts and free settlers who behaved well.

Almost straight away, the new colony faced starvation. The first crops failed because of the lack of skilled farmers, spoilt seed brought from England, poor local soils, an unfamiliar climate and bad tools. Phillip insisted that food be shared between convicts and free settlers. The British Officers didn’t like this, nor the fact that Phillip gave land to trustworthy convicts. But both actions meant that the colony survived, and they began an attitude of fairness that is still prized in Australia today.

Research task

Research the sorts of people who travelled on the 11 ships that made up the First Fleet. How many convicts (male and female), free settlers, crew, marines, officials and children were on board?

‘A Family of New South Wales’, based on a sketch by Captain Philip Gidley King, 1793

What effect did the First Fleet have on Australia’s first peoples?

The arrival of the First Fleet immediately affected the Eora nation, the traditional Aboriginal owners of the Sydney area. Violence between settlers and the Eora people started as soon as the colony was set up. The Eora people, particularly the warrior Pemulwuy, fought the colonisers. This conflict was mainly over land and food.

Phillip was speared during a meeting with Eora at Manly in 1790, but he recovered and continued as the colony’s first governor for two more years. He returned to England in 1792 with two Indigenous men: Bennelong, who later returned to Australia, and Yemmerrawannie, who died in England.

Thousands of Eora people died as a result of European diseases like smallpox.

The founding of Australia by Capt. Arthur Phillip R.N. Sydney Cove, Jan. 26th 1788 , by Algernon Talmage, 1937

This map attempts to represent the language, social or nation groups of Aboriginal Australia. It shows only the general locations of larger groupings of people which may include clans, dialects or individual languages in a group. It used published resources from 1988-1994 and is not intended to be exact, nor the boundaries fixed. It is not suitable for native title or other land claims.

The First Fleet entering Port Jackson, January 26, 1788 , by E Le Bihan, drawn in 1888

Captain Arthur Phillip, painted by Francis Wheatley

Port Jackson Harbour , by John Eyre and engraved by Walter Preston, 1812

Convict leg irons

An engraving believed to be the only known depiction of Pemulwuy

Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales, FL3141725

David R Horton (creator), AIATSIS, 1996. No reproduction without permission. To purchase a print version visit: www.aiatsis.ashop.com.au/

State Library of New South Wales FL3268277

Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales a928087

Convict love token, 1792

National Gallery of Australia, Canberra

State Library of New South Wales Q80/18

What were the long-term effects of the First Fleet?

The First Fleet was the beginning of convict transportation to Australia and was followed by many other fleets of convict ships. When this ended in 1868, over 150,000 convicts had been transported to New South Wales and other Australian colonies. Most convicts stayed in Australia after serving their sentences, and some became well-known, important people within the Australian colonies.

Convict settlement continued to have devastating effects on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the decades after 1788. Thousands died in conflicts with settlers and from diseases, and many more suffered from the loss of cultural traditions and languages.

Read a longer version of this Defining Moment on the National Museum of Australia’s website . 

What did you learn?

Related resources, australian journey episode 06: captivity narratives, 1.2 convicts sent to australia: ‘when prisoners walked the land’, convict punishment, collection highlights: convict love tokens.

Convict transportation peaks

Convict transportation ends

First Fleet

Transportation to the Australian colonies began in 1788 when the First Fleet, carrying between 750 and 780 convicts plus 550 crew, soldiers and family members, landed at Sydney Cove after an eight-month voyage. Over the next 80 years, British courts sentenced more than 160,000 convicts to transportation to Australia.

Arthur Bowes Smyth (1750-1790) was the ship’s surgeon aboard the Lady Penrhyn , one of the ships in the First Fleet. In his journal, Smyth wrote of the harsh conditions aboard the Lady Penrhyn whose passengers included 101 female convicts. The names of the convicts are listed on pages 17─20 of Smyth’s journal.

Smyth, Arthur Bowes,  Journal of Arthur Bowes Smyth, 1787 March 22-1789 August,  1787,  http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-233345951

1. This is the fourth page from the journal that Arthur Bowes Smyth kept during his voyage to Australia on the Lady Penrhyn (one of the ships of the First Fleet). Share the page with your students and invite them to use ‘history detective’ skills to find the following information:

• What was the Lady Penrhyn ?
• Can you find the list of passengers? Name one of them.
• Can you find the list of marine officers and men? Name one of them.
• Can you find the list of boys? How many were there?
• Listed next to people’s names, can you find some of the jobs they did? List two of the jobs.
• The lists on this page do not include the names of most of the people on board the Lady Penrhyn . Who else might have been on board? Why might their names have been listed separately from those on this page?

Use the information the students have found to brainstorm ideas about why the First Fleet came to Australia. You may like to use the artwork Convicts Embarking for Botany Bay , painted by Thomas Rowlandson (1756─1827) in 1800, to stimulate the brainstorm.

Rowlandson, Thomas, 1756-1827. (1800).  [Convicts embarking for Botany Bay] [picture] / T. Rowlandson . http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-135232630

English artist Thomas Rowlandson depicts convicts being loaded onto a rowing boat at the beginning of a long voyage to the other side of the world. The two corpses hanging from a gibbet are a gruesome reminder of the alternative to transportation.

2. Read the following (edited) extracts from Bowes Smyth’s journal between March 1787 and January 1788 with your students.

Friday 22 March came on board the ship at the Mother-bank near Portsmouth  (page 5) Friday 20th a fine day with a fresh breeze—a large and beautiful rainbow seen this day about 8 o’clock without any rain preceding its appearance, which the seamen say is a sign of the wind. Several large dolphins seen astern which would not take the baits (page 33) Wednesday 19 a very wet day and frequent very violent squalls of wind, about 11 o’clock a.m. some person fell overboard from the Charlotte … have not learnt who fell overboard or if they were saved   (page 58) Saturday 1st December This day one of the convicts on board our ship ( Margarett Brown ) scalded her foot very bad. Tis very extraordinary how very healthy the convicts on board this ship in particular, and indeed in the fleet in general have been  (page 78) Tuesday 25 December 1787 Xmas Day We are now about two thousand miles distant from the South Cape of New Holland, or Van Diemen’s Land, or otherwise Adventure Bay, with a most noble breeze which carries us at 8½ knots per hour, which we hope will enable us to see land in about a fortnight  (page 97) 26 January … about 7 o’clock p.m. we reach the mouth of Broken Bay, Port Jackson, and sailed up into the cove where the settlement is to be made … the finest terraces lawns and grottos with distinct plantations of the tallest and most stately trees I ever saw in any noble man’s gardens in England cannot exceed in beauty those which nature now presented to our view   (page 131)

As a class, discuss what these extracts tell us. Ask your students the following questions:

• What were some of the challenges faced by the people on the First Fleet during their voyage to Australia?
• Why do you think the people on the ships were trying to bait the dolphins?
• What pleasant experiences does Bowes Smyth write about in these extracts from his journal?
• What was Bowes Smyth’s first impression of Sydney Cove?

3. The experiences of the convicts on the Lady Penrhyn would have been very different to Bowes Smyth’s experience as ship’s surgeon. Ask your students to imagine they are convicts on board the ship. Each student should write four journal entries that show what the convicts may have experienced during the voyage from Portsmouth to Sydney.

Other Treasures sources that relate to the concepts explored in this source include: Early settlement , Strange creatures

The National Library of Australia acknowledges Australia’s First Nations Peoples – the First Australians – as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land and gives respect to the Elders – past and present – and through them to all Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Cultural Notification

Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website contains a range of material which may be considered culturally sensitive including the records of people who have passed away.

First Fleet Fellowship Victoria Inc

Descendants of those who arrived with the First Fleet in 1788 with Captain Arthur Phillip

October 15, 2011 by Cheryl Timbury

How one London newspaper recorded history

Government is now about settling a colony in New Holland, in the Indian seas; and the Commissioners of the Navy are now advertising for 1500 ton of transports.  This settlement is to be formed at Botany Bay, on the west side of the island, where Captain Cook refreshed and staid for some time on his voyage in 1770.

As he first sailed around that side of the island. he called it New South Wales, and the two Capes at the mouth of the river were called by the names of Banks and Solander.

There are 680 men felons and 70 women felons to go, and they are to be guarded by 12 marines and a corporal in every transport, containing 150 felons.  There are several men of war and some frigates to go, but they all come back, but one or two of each, which are to remain there for some time to assist in establishing a garrison of 300 men intended to be left there.

The whole equipment, army, navy and felons, are to be landed with two years’ provisions, and all forms of implements for the culture of the earth, and hunting and fishing, and some light buildings are to be run up immediately till a proper fort and town-house are erected.  This place is nearly in the same latitude with the Cape of Good Hope, and about eight months’ voyage from land.

– The Daily Universal Register September 14, 1786

Chronology of the First Fleet 1776                       The American War of Independence begins.  The former American colonies refuse to accept British convicts 1781-2                     Two attempts to establish a convict colony in West Africa end in disaster with most of the convicts dying from disease or privation or escaping. 1783 August           Peace with America prompts the despatch of the Swift transport.  The convicts mutiny in the Channel and many escape at Rye, Sussex.  The remainder are sent on to Maryland. 1784 March             Mercury sails for America with 179 convicts.  A mutiny again takes place, and many escape at Torbay, Devon.  Those remaining on board are sent on to America and eventually landed on the Mosquito coast in Central America after being rejected by the newly Independent United States. 1776 August 18       Lord Sydney writes to the Treasury requesting the provision of ships to carry convicts to New South Wales.

Australia First Day Cover 6 August 1986 – New South Wales the decision to settle – stamps feature King George 111, Lord Sydney, Captain Arthur Phillip, Captain John Hunter (C Timbury collection)

1787 January 6         The first group of convicts are embarked on Alexander at Woolwich, London. 1787 May 13             The First Fleet sails from Portsmouth, Hampshire. 1787 June 3              Arrival at Madeira.  Water and fresh supplies taken on board. 1787 July 14              Fleet crosses equator. 1787 August 6           Arrival at Rio de Janiero.  Fleet undergoes repairs, takes on fresh water and supplies. 1787 September 4    Fleet departs Rio. 1787 October 14       Arrival at Cape of Good Hope.  Fresh supplies and livestock taken on board. 1787 November 12    Departs from the Cape (Table Bay). 1787 November 25    Captain Phillip divides the Fleet and sails ahead with the four fastest ships. 1787 December 25     Christmas Day Aboard Prince of Wales Being Christmas day, Latd 42 degrees 16.  Longd. 105 degrees 00 East, Wind Fair, Weather Heasey, Dinned off a pice of pork and apple Sauce a pice of Beef and plum pudding, and Crowned the Day with four bottles of Rum, Which was the Best.  Wee Vitr’ens Could Afford      James Scott Seargeant of Marines 1788 January 3           Coast of Van Diemans Land (Tasmania) sighted. 1788 January 18/19    The first division of the Fleet anchors at Botany Bay.

The First Fleet Entering Botany Bay

1788 January 20         The remainder of the Fleet arrives.

1788 January 26       All Fleet ships anchor in Sydney Cove, Port Jackson.  Captain Phillip and officers go ashore, raise the flag, and toast the new colony.  Two French ships commanded by La Perouse enter Botany Bay.

Route of First Fleet taken off ‘School Project – The First Fleet and Early Sydney 1788-1810’ School Projects can be purchased through Saleable items

1788 February 15        Supply  sails for Norfolk Island carrying a small party to establish a settlement. 1788 March 10              The La Perouse expedition leaves Botany Bay. 1788 May 5/ 6                 Charlotte, Lady Penrhyn and Scarborough sail for China. 1788 July 14                  Borrowdale, Alexander, Friendship and Prince of Wales sail for England. 1788 October 2              Golden Grove sails for Norfolk Island with a party of convicts, returning to Port Jackson. 1788 November 10        Sirius sails for Cape of Good Hope for supplies. 1788 November 19        Fishburn and Golden Grove sail for England.  Only Supply now remains. 1789 December 23        HMS Guardian carrying stores for the colony strikes an iceberg and is forced back to the Cape.  It never reaches New South Wales. 1790 March 19                Sirius wrecked off Norfolk Island. 1790 April 17                   Supply sent to Batavia, Java, for emergency food supplies. 1790 June 3                     Lady Juliana, which left England in July 1789, arrives only three weeks before the Second Fleet ships, saving the colony from starvation and bringing orders for the recall of the marines to be replaced by soldiers of the NSW corps. 1791 March 28                 Waaksamheld sails for England carrying the crew of Sirius. 1791 August/October      The Third Fleet arrives. 1791 December 18          HMS Gorgon sails for England carrying many First Fleet marines home to England. 1792 December 11           Atlantic sails for England carrying Governor Phillip and the remaining First Fleet marines who had chosen not to stay in the colony.

Captain Phillip’s first sight of  Port Jackson in Spy Sloop

Source: Gillen, Mollie The Founder of Australia – A Biographical Dictionary of the First Fleet , Libary of Australian History, Sydney 1989

Australian Settlers Monuments In Old Portsmouth on the walkway by the sea wall at the junction of Broad Street and High Street near Square Tower.. 

First Fleet memorial Portsmouth (Bruce Hunter)

First Fleet Memorial Portsmouth (Bruce Hunter) Its twin is located in Sydney

Memorial Bonds of Friendship was unveiled by The Queen on 11 July 1980.  The block of granite was quarried in NSW and given by the Citizens of Australia.

A twin monument was unveiled at Circular Quay, Sydney Australia, in 1980 as part of the Bicentenary Celebrations.  The memorial was later moved to Loftus Street Sydney

  Bicentenary Links, Loftus Street Sydney NSW (C Timbury)

© First Fleet Fellowship Victoria Inc 2011

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Journey of the First Fleet

Learning intention.

Students are learning to:

• use images and written sources to investigate the people on board the First Fleet  
• describe people, events and actions related to the First Fleet  
• understand the historical context of the journey and the broader impact on Aboriginal people 

Success criteria

Students will be successful when they can:

• give examples of the experiences of people on board the First Fleet using sources  
• identify the reasons for the First Fleet’s journey and why various groups were passengers 
• explain the concept of terra nullius 

The First Fleet departs

Students interpret the feelings of convicts as they prepare for their voyage to New South Wales. 

All aboard!

Students recreate the journey of the eleven ships of the First Fleet across the ocean to New South Wales. 

Are we there yet?

Students explore the varied convict experiences onboard the ships of the First Fleet. 

Students discover the different forms of ship-to-ship communication employed by the First Fleet. 

Time to play a game

Students test out their knowledge of the journey of the First Fleet by creating a fun board game. 

Eighteen years earlier...

Students examine the contact the British had with New South Wales, prior to the arrival of the First Fleet. 

Change your tune

Students listen to and scrutinise the song Botany Bay, before rewriting the lyrics to reflect our nation’s history. 

NSW Syllabus for the Australian Curriculum History K-10

• Historical skills
• Historical concepts
• Key inquiry question
• Updated Australian curriculum outcomes

HT2-3  describes people, events and actions related to world exploration and its effects 

HT2-4  describes and explains effects of British colonisation in Australia 

HT2-5  applies skills of historical inquiry and communication 

Stories of the First Fleet, including reasons for the journey, who travelled to Australia, and their experiences following arrival  (ACHHK079) 

Students: 

• identify reasons for the voyage of the First Fleet and explain why various groups were passengers 
• describe the establishment of the British colony at Port Jackson 
• using a range of sources, investigate the everyday life of ONE of the following who sailed on the First Fleet and lived in the early colony: a soldier, convict, ex-convict, official 

The nature of contact between Aboriginal people and/or Torres Strait Islanders and others, for example, the Macassans and the Europeans, and the effects of these interactions on, for example, families and the environment (ACHHK080)

• Explain the term terra nullius and describe how this affected the British attitude to aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• use sources to identify different perspectives on the arrival of the British to Australia 

Comprehension: chronology, terms and concepts:

• respond, read and write, to show understanding of historical matters
• use historical terms

Analysis and use of sources:

• locate relevant information from sources provided 

Perspectives and interpretations:

• identify different points of view within an historical context

 Empathetic understanding:

• explain how and why people in the past may have lived and behaved differently from today
• pose a range of questions about the past
• plan an historical inquiry

Explanation and communication:

• develop texts, particularly narratives
• use a range of communication forms (oral, graphic, written) and digital technologies

Continuity and change : changes and continuities due to British colonisation of Australia.

Cause and effect : reasons for a particular historical development

Perspectives : different points of view within an historical context

Empathetic understanding : how and why people in the past may have lived and behaved differently from today.

Significance : the importance and meaning of national commemorations and celebrations, and the importance of a person or event.

Contestability : historical events or issues may be interpreted differently by historians, eg British 'invasion' or 'settlement' of Australia.

Learning across the curriculum 

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures
• Critical and creative thinking
• Ethical understanding
• Intercultural understanding
• Personal and social capability

Why did Europeans settle in Australia?

Stories of the First Fleet, including reasons for the journey, who travelled to Australia, and their experiences following arrival  (ACHASSK085)

• investigating reasons for the First Fleet journey, including an examination of the wide range of crimes punishable by transportation, and looking at the groups who were transported
• investigating attitudes to the poor, the treatment of prisoners at that time, and the social standing of those who travelled to Australia on the First Fleet, including families, children and convict guards

The nature of contact between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and others, for example, the Macassans and the Europeans, and the effects of these interactions on, for example, people and environments  (ACHASSK086)  

• exploring the impact that British colonisation had on the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (dispossession; dislocation; and the loss of lives through conflict, disease, loss of food sources and medicines)

Additional information

The following information supports the above activities. Read the activities first. 

General information about the First Fleet

On 13 May 1787 a fleet of 11 ships set sail from Portsmouth, England under the command of Captain Arthur Phillip. This historic convoy, which later became known as the First Fleet, carried well over 1000 men, women and children to the other side of the globe. Almost half of those on board were convicts sentenced to transportation; the rest were officers, crew and marines and their families. 

The fleet consisted of two Royal Navy escort ships,  HMS Sirius  and  HMS Supply , six convict transports, the  Alexander ,  Charlotte ,  Friendship ,  Lady Penrhyn ,  Prince of Wales  and the  Scarborough , and three store ships, the  Borrowdale ,  Fishburn  and  Golden Grove .  

From Portsmouth the First Fleet travelled via Tenerife and Rio de Janeiro to the Cape of Good Hope, the fleet’s last port of call before striking out for Terra Australis. 

The fleet arrived first in Botany Bay on 18 January. Despite a glowing recommendation from Sir Joseph Banks, it proved unsuitable for a permanent settlement, especially as it lacked a supply of fresh water.  

On 26 January, the fleet made anchorage at Warrane/Sydney Cove in Port Jackson. This site had everything needed for the new colony; deep water close to the shore, shelter and fresh water. Phillip named the bay Sydney Cove, after Lord Sydney the British Home Secretary. It was known as Warrane by the local Gadigal people. 

Activity 1 Information

Information on the drawing - Convicts embarking for Botany Bay, ca. 1790 by Thomas Rowlandson.

The drawing depicts an overcrowded small timber boat holding six convict passengers, and skipper leaning on the tiller. Two convicts are being pushed into the boat by a redcoat soldier whilst another redcoat looks on with rifle in slope position. Similar scenes can be made out in the far background, along with two corpses hanging from a gibbet.

On the back of the framed drawing is pasted some older  printed material , which appears to be either a sale or catalogue description. The exact date of the printed material is unknown although it was after 1827. 

Activity 2 Information

William Bradley’s full drawing shows the First Fleet leaving England on 13 May 1787 accompanied by a twelfth ship, HMS Hyaena , that escorted the fleet for the first 200 miles.  Five of the Hyaena’s crew were ‘lent’ to the Fishburn at the start of the voyage, as some of the original crew were missing, and they decided to stay and go to Botany Bay.

Activity 3 Answers

Q: How could you eat this hard bread without breaking your teeth?

A: You could:

• Let the butter melt into them (if you had enough?)
• Dunk them in your drink (tea, coffee or beer – if you had any?)
• Pound them up into crumbs – to thicken a soup/gruel or use the crumbs like flour
• Suck on them – especially if you didn’t have many teeth! Remember there were no dentists!

Salted meat is meat preserved or cured with salt. Salt inhibits the growth of micro-organisms. First, salt was rubbed into the meat. The meat was soaked in brine (highly salted water) to remove the blood.  After taking it out of the brine, each layer of meat was packed in a barrel with lots of extra salt between each layer. This process was repeated several times. Finally, the barrel was filled with fresh brine and sealed. When it came time to eat, the meat would be rinsed in fresh water and boiled.

Activity 5 Information

More information on the First Fleet convict on board experience can be found in the Convict Women of the First Fleet Learning Activity. An option could be to complete this board game after students have completed both of these learning activities.

Source list for image details in student activities

The first fleet departs.

Image 1: Thomas Rowlandson,  [Convicts embarking for Botany Bay, ca. 1790 / drawing by Thomas Rowlandson],  London: Forgotten Books, 1887

Image 2: Thomas Rowlandson,  [Convicts embarking for Botany Bay, ca. 1790 / drawing by Thomas Rowlandson],  London: Forgotten Books, 1887

Image 3: Thomas Rowlandson,  [Convicts embarking for Botany Bay, ca. 1790 / drawing by Thomas Rowlandson],  London: Forgotten Books, 1887

Image 1: William Bradley,  Opp. p. 13. `Sirius, Supply & Convoy : Needle Point ENE 3 miles. Hyaena in Companny. 13 May 1787', ca. 1802

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Voyage of the first fleet to australia in 1788, ships of the first fleet, departure of the fleet, voyage of the first fleet, h. m. s. sirius journals and transcriptions:, h. m. s. charlotte journals and transcriptions, h. m. s. lady penrhyn journals and transcriptions, h. m. s. scarborough journals and transcriptions, h. m.s. friendship journals and transcriptions, h. m.s. prince of wales journals and transcriptions, h.m.a.t. supply journals and transcriptions, correspondence, arrival of the fleet in botany bay, notes and links.

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St thomas cemetery, sackville reach, st. peters, richmond, st. johns, wilberforce, laughtondale cemetery, wisemans ferry, castlereagh, st. james, pitt town, st. luke's cemetery, liverpool, waverley cemetery.

St. Matthews Cemetery, Windsor

Green hills burial ground, windsor, st. johns cemetery, parramatta, st. john's cemetery, campbelltown, st anne's anglican church, ryde.

BTN: First Fleet

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My name is Elizabeth Haywood and I'm 13 years old. I was apprenticed to a clog maker in London, but I was paid so little, so I stole some clothes and tried to sell them.

For the theft of one linen gown — value 4 shillings, a silk bonnet — value 2 shillings, and a cloak — value 1 shilling, you are found guilty.

(Gavel bangs)

My name is John Hudson. I'm nine years old. I've been an orphan ever since I can remember. I made a living by chimney-sweeping. It was horrible work and dangerous too. In summertime, there's no use for sweeping, so I took to thieving to survive.

For the theft of one pistol — value 5 shillings, and two aprons — value 2 shillings, you are found guilty.

Dramatisation of young convicts in prison.

In London in the 1700s, jails were full of people like Elizabeth and John — poor, hungry, unwanted — people who stole to survive. The city's population had exploded and mass poverty had led to a rise in crime.

You are sentenced to death by hanging.

England's laws were really, really harsh. Stealing something could land you with a death sentence. But they couldn't hang everyone. And with the jails full, there was the problem of what to do with all the criminals.

Paintings of ships in harbour.

One solution was transportation. Britain had colonies in Africa and America where it sent criminals. But then the Americans rose up against the English, so that was no longer an option. So the government decided to set up a new penal colony in the land called New South Wales, claimed for England by Captain Cook in 1770.

John Hudson, you are sentenced to transportation across the seas for a period of seven years.

Paintings of ships sailing the seas.

11 ships were prepared for the voyage to New South Wales. Six would transport convicts — they were the Alexander, the Friendship, the Charlotte, the Lady Penryn, the Prince of Wales and Scarborough. Then there were two navy ships and three ships full of the supplies they'd need to build a new colony.

A boy dressed in a British uniform steps out on deck.

Captain Arthur Phillip was chosen to lead that colony. He knew it was an important job and, one day, New South Wales could be great.

VOICE-OVER:

'The sanguine might form expectations of extraordinary consequences, and be justified, in some degree, by the reflection, that from smaller and not more respectable beginnings, powerful empires have frequently arisen.'

Young convicts sit chained in the hold of a ship.

The convicts probably weren't so hopeful. More than 700 were packed onto the crowded ships, including around 17 children. Many were sick and malnourished when they boarded. Around 20 wouldn't survive the journey.

A world map.

The ships sailed from Portsmouth, England, on 13 May 1787. As they sailed through the tropics, the weather was hot and humid. There were rats, cockroaches and other pests and water had to be rationed. On 5 August they arrived in Rio De Janeiro and took on food and water. Then they sailed on to the Cape of Good Hope in Africa.

Painting of ships anchored at a river mouth.

On 19 January [1788], the first ships arrived in Botany Bay. Seven days later, they found a good place to anchor and Arthur Philip planted a British flag in a place he called Sydney Cove. The land had been home to Aboriginal people for tens of thousands of years, but to the convicts it was new, strange and harsh.

I never thought I would end up in a place like this, so far away from home. But I've survived this far and I'll keep on surviving.

We'll make the best of what we have and maybe some day we'll build a better future here in New South Wales.

SUBJECTS:   Civics and Citizenship , History

YEARS:  3–4, 5–6, 9–10

Did you know that when the British colonised Australia, they established a penal colony?

In 1787, Captain Arthur Phillip left England with the first group of prisoners on the First Fleet. They arrived in Sydney Cove in 1788. Watch this clip to find out the stories of some of these convicts.

Date of broadcast: 24 Nov 2000

Metadata © Australian Broadcasting Corporation 2020 (except where otherwise indicated). Digital content © Australian Broadcasting Corporation (except where otherwise indicated). Video © Australian Broadcasting Corporation (except where otherwise indicated). All images copyright their respective owners. Text © Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

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Players make decisions, solve problems and deal with conflicts on a perilous journey across the globe.

This year is 1830. You’re the Surgeon Superintendent aboard a convict vessel transporting its human cargo from Britain to the far reaches of the known world – Van Diemen’s Land. You’re charged with delivering several hundred convicts to the colony in the shortest time with minimum loss of life. This is the way to make money and further your reputation and position. Are you up to the task?

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First Fleet Timeline

Leaving england.

Last Sight of England

Reaching the Canary Islands

Departing the Canary Islands

Passing Cape Verde Islands

Crossing the Equator

Islands of Rio de Janeiro in Sight

Docks at Rio de Janeiro

Departs Rio de Janeiro

Cape of Good Hope sighted

Anchors in Table Bay for supplies

Departs Table Bay

The Advance Party

Sighting Van Diemen's Land

HMS Supply arrives in Botany Bay

Entire Fleet arives at Botany Bay

Captain Phillip and Captain Hunter go to the North

Entire Fleet anchors in Port Jackson

Watch CBS News

Fleet Week Miami sets sail for first time. Here's what you need to know

By Hunter Geisel

Updated on: May 6, 2024 / 12:30 PM EDT / CBS Miami

MIAMI — After docking in Fort Lauderdale for over three decades, South Florida's Fleet Week is setting a course for Miami this year.

Last July , Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, alongside U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, and other officials announced at PortMiami that the maritime event will take place from May 7 to May 13.

Fleet Week traditionally involves active military ships docking in major cities across the country, where U.S. sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen will enter the city and visit its tourist attractions while the public take guided tours of the naval vessels. Military demonstrations and air shows often accompany the dayslong event.

On Monday, May 6, Cava, Toro and Matthew Lewis, chief security officer and senior vice president of Norwegian Cruise Lines, will hold a press conference to launch the event officially under the name "Norwegian Cruise Line Fleet Week Miami."

"The Department of the Navy is tremendously excited to bring the Navy and Marine Corps team to the inaugural Fleet Week Miami" Del Toro said. "Today's Navy reflects the energy, diversity and opportunity that defines South Florida — and indeed the nation. And we want all of South Florida to come join us to honor and to honor these great women and men who serve our nation."  

Here's what you need to know about this year's inaugural event .

Early Shipping

Though the event itself doesn't officially begin until that Tuesday, there are a few things that maritime enthusiasts can enjoy before the ships arrive.

From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 5, the Frost Science Museum will host U.S. Navy and Marines officials where the public can learn about the Navy Stewards of the Sea environmental program, naval aviation, naval scientific research and see demonstrations from the K-9 team. Also, the Navy Band Southeast will provide a free performance.

Additionally, the first of the ships will begin to dock in PortMiami: the USS Bataan, an amphibious assault ship. The U.S. Navy vessel will arrive at approximately 6:45 p.m. and the public can watch its arrival at South Pointe Park in Miami Beach. An F-18 flyover will mark the arrival of the Bataan.

While the USS Bataan will be the first of the ships to arrive, South Floridians will get to see three other U.S. military vessels, all of which will be heralded by the appearance of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman.

Alongside the Bataan, the public will get to tour these ships:

• USS Normandy — Navy guided missile cruiser
• USS Leyte Gulf — Navy guided missile cruiser
• USCGS Seneca — Coast Guard cutter

"The United States Navy is America's Navy.  It's your Navy," said Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander of the U.S. Fleet Forces Command.  "Fleet Week Miami is a great opportunity for families to come out, tour our ships, connect with our Sailors, and get a better understanding of what your Navy does to protect our homeland."

Tours of the ships are planned for Monday through Sunday, May 6-12. The weekdays will focus on afternoon and evening tours from 1-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., while Saturday tours are slated to be 9-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. Sunday tours will be 9-11 a.m., 1-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. 

All tours are free and tickets will become available online 48 hours in advance of each date on the Fleet Week's Facebook page. Additionally, you may only select one ship per reservation. You can reserve tickets for another vessel on a separate reservation, but be aware that they will be docked at different terminals. For parking information, visit PortMiami's website .

Out of all the military ships coming, only the Truman will not be available for public tours because it will be anchored about 2-3 miles offshore.

Shore Leave

When you're not on deck, there are still plenty of things to do and see during Miami Fleet Week. One activity in particular will be the Navy Recruiting Command's Nimitz — a mobile, state-of-the-art virtual reality experience that simulates a Navy SEAL mission.

Inside the Nimitz, which is housed inside of an 18-wheeler, participants go through a video briefing before strapping on an Oculus Rift headset and a piece of wearable technology called a SubPac that percusses in real time to the sounds of the mission, according to a Navy press release. Visitors navigate the mission using a cutting-edge steering wheel and throttle system that replicate the actual sensation of piloting a high-speed Navy Special Warfare Combatant Craft. Once finished with the simulation, participants then move to the debriefing station, where they receive feedback and a performance grade.

Additionally, Navy recruiting leadership will visit J.P. Taravalla, McArthur, Flanagan, Fort Lauderdale and Coral Gables High Schools to discuss the plethora of STEM careers in the Navy, as well as its $200,000 ROTC Scholarship Program, which pays full college tuition for students with "exceptional academic and leadership credentials."

"We are extremely excited to spend time in Miami, meeting with exceptional students and faculty, and discussing the great opportunities available in today's Navy," said Comm. Dominique Jackson of Navy Diversity and Outreach. "It is important for today's high school students to understand that a Navy STEM career offers opportunities that can't be found anywhere else."

Here are more activities and events you can enjoy throughout the week.

After Cava's official welcome on Monday, the Navy's e-sports team will compete in a friendly video game tournament with students from St. Thomas, Florida Memorial and Florida International Universities. The event is from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

At 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, up to 50 new U.S. citizens will be welcomed aboard the Bataan to help make their first day as Americans memorable with a naturalization ceremony coordinated with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Headquarters in Miami.

On Wednesday, there are a few things to do. First, there is the JROTC/Youth STEM Summit, where students from Miami-Dade Public Schools will take ship tours, learn about technology careers in the military and private sector, and participate in demonstrations by local tech companies. They'll also hear from leading venture capitalists who will talk about Miami's growing tech sector. The summit will be held from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, Del Toro will hold a special enlistment ceremony for future sailors and Marines in the delayed entry program to take the oath of enlistment onboard a U.S. Navy vessel. The ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m.

Later Wednesday night, 20 visiting military will get a true introduction to South Florida's Latin culture during Dancing with the Stars and Stripes. At this event, they will receive several hours of dance instruction at the Tower Theater on Calle Ocho in preparation for a fun performance at 8 p.m. before judges and a live audience at Domino Plaza. The public is invited to attend.

Thursday night is Fleet Week Innovation Night , where fans can embark on a "journey of discovery" as the U.S. Navy unveils a web of innovation, technology and strategic partnerships that drive its mission to confront global challenges and excel in cyberspace, stated event organizers.

On Friday, visiting military personnel will be honored during Military Night with the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park, where fans can enjoy performances by Navy Band Southeast and watch the F-18 flyover before the Marlins take on the Atlanta Braves.

Saturday morning kicks off with the Fleet Week 5K Miami hosted by GoRun Miami at Tamiami Park at 7 a.m. The Marine Band will provide entertainment and there will be a F-18 flyover before the starting gun at 7:30 a.m. Those who are not running can participate in Zumba and other fitness classes or visit the many vendor booths.

Meanwhile, Zoo Miami will host Navy Day at 10 a.m. While walking among the animals, visitors can meet with sailors and learn more about Navy programs, including the diving tank, and understand environmental stewardship.

Also on Saturday morning, Fleet Week Miami will honor veterans with a special tour of the Leyte Gulf starting at 9 a.m. before holding an official ceremony at 11 a.m. at PortMiami.

And for some friendly competition, teams from the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and local first responders will face off in various sporting events during the City of Miami Beach Top Gun Beach Olympics. The games begin at 9 a.m. at Lummus Park, and they're free and open to the public.

For Sunday, the last of the public tours for the Bataan will be available from 8-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m.

• U.S. Marine Corps
• South Florida
• United States Coast Guard
• United States Marine Corps

Hunter Geisel is a digital producer at CBS News Miami. Hunter has previously produced digital content for local and national outlets, covering several topics from breaking news and current events to politics and pop culture.

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Deep Dive: Reassessing U.S. Navy's Fleet Composition Amid Global Naval Shifts

I n an era marked by rapid technological advancements and shifting geopolitical landscapes, the United States Navy faces a critical junction in deciding the future composition of its fleet. As nations worldwide grapple with the optimal balance between aircraft carriers and submarines, the U.S. Navy confronts the same strategic dilemma, magnified by the high costs and complex logistics associated with nuclear-powered vessels.

The Last of a Dying Breed

The USS Blueback, the last conventionally-powered submarine commissioned into the U.S. Navy, exemplifies the efficiency and capability of diesel-electric technology. Her record-setting underwater voyage from Japan to San Diego and the two battle stars awarded for Vietnam War service reflect the prowess of diesel submarines. However, since her decommissioning in 1990, the U.S. Navy has steadfastly committed to a nuclear-only submarine force. Ensigns Michael Walker and Austin Krusz argue that nuclear power offers nearly unlimited endurance and supports global blue water operations, a critical advantage given America’s ocean-bordered geography.

Nevertheless, the authors acknowledge that diesel-electric technology is catching up, proposing that diesel subs, possibly augmented by air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems, could be constructed faster and at lower cost. Such vessels could quietly cruise underwater for weeks, as evidenced by the Swedish HMS Gotland’s repeated “sinkings” of the USS Ronald Reagan in war games. These capabilities suggest that diesel-electric AIP submarines could provide a cost-effective expansion to the Navy’s undersea forces.

The High Price of Nuclear Dominance

The impending dismantlement of the USS Enterprise, the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, underscores the immense cost and time-consuming nature of dealing with nuclear vessels. While the storied carrier’s disassembly at a private yard relieves pressure on overburdened Navy shipyards, it also portends the staggering expenses and logistical challenges of nuclear fleet maintenance and retirement.

Indo-Pacific Tensions and Fleet Dynamics

In the Indo-Pacific, a key theater of naval power, the balance between carriers and submarines takes on heightened significance. Aircraft carriers project air power and serve as potent diplomatic tools, as seen in the U.S. Navy’s diverse historical engagements, from the Cuban Missile Crisis to the Global War on Terror. However, the vulnerability of carriers to modern missile threats cannot be overlooked.

Submarines, with their stealth and reconnaissance capabilities, offer a stark contrast to the visible might of carriers. Diesel and nuclear variants provide options for nations prioritizing stealth over endurance.

The Future Naval Equation

For the U.S. Navy, the question of whether to invest in additional carriers like the forthcoming USS Enterprise (CVN-80) or to diversify with AIP submarines presents a complex challenge. The answer may lie in a nuanced approach, blending the strategic visibility of carriers with the discreet deterrence of submarines. As Walker and Krusz suggest, it’s time for a serious conversation about the optimal mix of naval power—a conversation with implications that echo far beyond the deep blue sea.

Relevant articles:

– Why Doesn’t the U.S. Navy Build Diesel Submarines? , nationalinterest.org

– U.S. Navy Will Dismantle Carrier USS Enterprise at a Commercial Shipyard , The Maritime Executive

– Carrier vs submarine naval power in the Indo-Pacific , Universidad de Navarra

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This new mega-ship liner will set sail from NYC next year

Brilliant Lady will embark on a North American tour in September.

All aboard!

Brilliant Lady, the fourth and final ship in Virgin Voyages ' current fleet, will officially set sail from NYC in September of 2025, embarking on a cross-country sea trip that will stop in Boston, Charleston, Eastport, Bermuda and Quebec City, among other destinations. 

In addition to the exciting travel plans, passengers will get to revel in the cruise line's signature luxury: think red balcony hammocks, high-end wellness spaces overlooking the ocean and over twenty award-winning eateries that cover all sorts of cuisines, from Mexican to Italian, Korean and more.

"Virgin fans have been asking for years if we’d consider sailing from places like New York, Los Angeles or Alaska, so it's wonderful to give our Sailors and First Mates what they wanted: fresh itineraries spanning North America from 5-14 nights in length with new experiences that they will remember forever," said Nirmal Saverimuttu, CEO at Virgin Voyages, in an official statement. "As the fourth and final ship in our fleet for now, Brilliant Lady will not disappoint.”

Just like the other ships that are part of the fleet, Brilliant Lady will feature the image of a mermaid on its facade, this one an entirely novel design by Toronto-based illustrator Janice Sung that was inspired by, according to an official press release, "historic Renaissance paintings as well as traditional Japanese and Chinese art, fashion and beauty."

In addition to the inaugural trip kicking off in New York, the ship will embark on a wide range of other voyages, as the above-mentioned statement makes clear. These include a 7-12 night route from Miami, a longer one across the Panama Canal Crossing, another option from Los Angeles, plus Seattle, Alaska and more. 

We're always itching for a long vacation but, suddenly, the ocean is calling out our name.

• Anna Rahmanan

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Cunard added a 4th luxury cruise ship to its famous fleet — see what it'll be like on the new Queen Anne

• Cunard  welcomed its fourth ship and newest in 14 years, the 2,996-guest Queen Anne.
• The 114,000-ton vessel has amenities like an Indian restaurant and pool under a retractable glass roof.
• Queen Anne's 2024 itineraries, primarily in Europe, start at $300 per person for a two-night cruise.

Cunard has operated 249 ships throughout its 184 years in operation, including the famous Queen Mary and Queen Mary 2. But it's been 14 years since the cruise line has launched a new vessel — until now.

Luxury cruisers , meet Queen Anne. It's Cunard's latest 2,996-guest ship, replete with 4,300 art pieces, archery, and the company's signature high-end flair. Its arrival was so highly anticipated that every cabin on its May 3 maiden voyage was fully reserved in minutes, the BBC reported.

The Carnival Corp. brand may be storied, but that doesn’t mean it’s past its prime.

Katie McAlister, president of Cunard, recently told the BBC that its bookings have grown 25% since the beginning of 2024 and are now the best they've been in a decade.

So it should come as no surprise that several of Queen Anne's 2024 itineraries are almost sold out.

Cunard isn’t in the business of building bigger.

Luxury cruise lines are beloved for their small-ship experience. Cunard is no different.

The new 114,000-ton cruise liner is the company's second-largest, although it can carry more guests than any of its other ships.

However, at a 2,996-guest and 1,225-crew capacity, Queen Anne is still tiny compared to the mass-market cruise industry's newest ships , the largest of which can carry 10,000 people.

Queen Anne's cabins are divided into four categories, listed from most to least luxurious: Queens Grill, Princess Grill, Britannia Club, and Britannia.

Despite being the cheapest option, the Britannia accommodations have high-end amenities like sparkling wine, Penhaligon toiletries, and tea and coffee machines.

That's nothing compared to the most luxurious Queens Grill suites, where guests get amenities like pillow menus, stocked mini-bars, a butler, fruit, and pre-dinner canapes.

Forget the sparkling wine — Queens Grill travelers get a bottle of Champagne.

Cabin categories are especially important for Cunard, not for reasons you might expect.

Besides how luxurious your hotel room at sea is, your cabin influences where you have breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Guests in the Princess Grill suites dine at the Princess Grill restaurant, while Britannia Club guests stick to the Britannia Club restaurant, and so on.

Guests in the higher-end Princess and Queens cabins also get a pretty sweet bonus: an exclusive lounge with infinity hot tubs.

Regardless of your cabin, the 14-deck ship has plenty of areas for all guests to relax under the sun.

For example, the Pavilion. It's one of Queen Anne's go-to places for an afternoon swim, nighttime movie viewing, silent disco, and not-so-silent live music, all under a retractable glass roof.

The ship's pool club also has plenty of lounge seats for a more traditional pool deck experience. For something indoors, head to the drawing and game rooms instead.

Like every new cruise ship, Queen Anne has a pickleball court.

But unlike every new cruise ship, it also has archery — coaches, bows, and arrows included.

Travelers looking for a less intense afternoon can instead try their hand at the putting green, shuffleboard, or quoits.

Not confident in your athletic abilities? Don't worry — there's a bar nearby, too.

If you lose your pickleball match, you can retail therapy your pain away at Queen Anne’s high-end stores.

Travelers have been splurging big on their cruise vacations . On Queen Anne (and with help from one of the ship's personal shoppers), this could include a Bremont watch or Chanel makeup.

Or, do as cruisers do: Eat and drink the pain away.

The ship has 15 eateries. Unfortunately, you'll have to pay extra for the Mediterranean, Indian, Japanese, steakhouse grill, alfresco, and British restaurants.

Thankfully, the food hall-style buffet, room service, and cabin-assigned dining rooms are included in the fare.

Feeling peckish in the afternoon? Afternoon tea is held in the Queens Room, the same venue that hosts events like ballroom dancing and Cunard's signature black-tie galas.

Of course, a cruise wouldn’t be complete without a casino, spa, and nighttime shows.

Queen Anne is showing two new productions, including an adaptation of the classic British film "Brief Encounter."

For more casual entertainment, the ship also has a "show bar" helmed by a variety of musicians and entertainers.

For a more relaxing afternoon, try the spa's cryotherapy, "experience showers," and salt saunas.

Afterwards, to keep the wellness trend going, grab a healthy bite at the veggie and "sustainably sourced protein"-forward Wellness Cafe. Its kombucha bellinis are technically good for you, right?

Cunard is beloved for its regular transatlantic cruises on its Queen Mary 2 ocean liner.

In 2025, Queen Anne will embark on its first three-month around-the-world cruise. However, for the most part, it's not scheduled for repeat long-haul journeys .

Instead, in 2024, the ship will be homeported in Southampton, UK and travel on two- to 19-night itineraries across Europe.

The cheapest way to experience the new ship is a two-night summer cruise from Southampton to Hamburg, Germany, which currently starts at $300 per person.

But if money is no problem, the 18-night roundtrip Hamburg cruise during Christmas and the New Year might pique your interest — and your wallet. The itinerary's luxurious Queens Grill suites start at $19,350 per person.

• Main content

Coalition group eyes voyage, install buoys to mark Panatag Shoal as part of Philippine territory

Leaders of Atin Ito coalition group show the buoy that it plans to install near the Scarborough Shoal in their planned voyage on May 15, 2024. The planned peace and solidarity regatta” will be composed of 100 fishing boats composed of social activists, Church leaders, fishermen, entrepreneurs, artists, and young individuals. (photo: Trixee Rosel)

Various civilian groups are now planning a voyage to the Scarborough Shoal to install markers and deliver supplies to Filipino fishermen in their traditional fishing grounds this month.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, March 8, the Atin Ito Coalition said it will  lead a “peace and solidarity regatta” involving up to 100 fishing boats composed of social activists, Church leaders, fishermen, entrepreneurs, artists, and young individuals who are united in protecting the Philippines' sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea  amid China's continuous harassment against Filipino vessels, including the use of high-pressure water cannon.

“The civilian flotilla is focused on enhancing the territorial integrity of our country,” said Rafaela “Paeng” David, co-convenor of Atin Ito Coalition, in a press conference on Wednesday, May 8.

It said they are planning to depart from Zambales on May 15 and head towards the Scarborough Shoal, also referred to as Panatag Shoal.

Once they arrive at the Panatag Shoal, David said they will install symbolic markers or buoys bearing the words, "WPS is ours!”

Strong patriotic message

Another co-convenor of Atin Ito, Edicio dela Torre, president of the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement, said the installation of the markers "sends a clear message: The West Philippine Sea is not up for grabs.”

“We will peacefully defend it as active citizens, as it rightfully belongs to us,” Dela Torre said.

Atin Ito has further extended an offer to international observers to take part in the voyage, to supervise and document the circumstances in the West Philippine Sea, and to directly witness the difficulties experienced by Filipinos in that area.

“In the midst of challenges, it is imperative that we remain resolute in safeguarding what is rightfully ours—neither more nor less. The indisputable sovereignty we possess over the West Philippine Sea is non-negotiable,” said Dela Torre.

“It is an essential element of our country's character and legacy, deeply embedded in centuries of historical significance and supported by global legislation,” he added.

Bigger than first trip

The planned flotilla for this month would be more than twice as big as the 40 civilian boats that joined Atin Ito's first voyage to the West Philippine Sea in December last year.

The purpose of the voyage was to provide supplies and gifts to Filipino troops stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre, an aged warship from World War II that is currently being used as a military base on Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.

That Christmas holiday supply mission to Ayungin and other Philippine-occupied islands in the West Philippine Sea was disrupted by the presence of China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels.

The main boat abruptly ended its journey and headed back to El Nido in Palawan province due to being followed by at least four Chinese vessels.

Chinese warships

However, a smaller vessel within the fleet successfully arrived at Lawak Island, which is currently under Philippine occupation.

This time, David said the group was also looking to distribute vital provisions, such as fuel, to Filipino fishermen at Scarborough.

On Jan. 12 this year, Chinese warships chased away Filipino fishermen who were harvesting sea shells near the shoal's south entrance, while another Filipino fishing boat was harassed by the CCG aboard a rubber boat.

The Philippine Coast Guard previously reported the arrival of warships from the People’s Liberation Army Navy in the area.

In February, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. claimed the existence of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea was "worrisome.”