Jump to content | Home Portcities London
reflecting our cultures
[ Bypass: Visit the Port Cites Consortium
]
[ Bypass: Search Facilities
] Maritime London Partnership -Bypass site links | Full graphics | About this Site | Feedback
On this site:
[ Bypass: Main Menu
] You are here: PortCities London home
> People and places
Prison hulks on the River Thames
Chapter Index Send this story to a friend | Printer-friendly version | View this story in pictures Introduction
Transport to North America
Discovery convict ship at Deptford, c. 1829. © NMM
From the early 18th century until the American Revolution, Britain transported convicts each year to Maryland and Virginia.
The North American colonies declared their independence in 1776 and closed their ports to British prison ships. A crisis in the British criminal justice system followed.
Floating prisons
Warrior (1781) anchored off Woolwich. © NMM
Britain started converting old merchant ships and naval vessels into floating prisons known as hulks. Many of these were on the River Thames.
Convicts spent time on the hulks before being transported to Australia, the new destination for Britain's criminals.
Chapter Index Send this story to a friend | Printer-friendly version | View this story in pictures
[ Bypass: Search Facilities
] Glossary
Hulk
FIND OUT MORE
Top | | Partner Sites: | | | | | | 
The Discovery convict ship at Deptford, c. 1829. © NMM