A view of Botany Bay, by Robert Clevely.

Botany Bay.

Repro ID: PU2115

Description: Botany Bay was so named after the abundance of flora and fauna that was found there in May 1770. In June the 'Endeavour' spent seven weeks at Endeavour River where the damage it had sustained on the coral reef was repaired. Eighteen years later, the eleven ships of the First Fleet arrived at Botany Bay to set up the first British prison colony in Australia. There were over 1,500 people: including 548 male and 188 female convicts, ships' crews, officials, marines, their wives and children. 48 people had died on the voyage. The convicts were mainly from Britain, but there were also several African, American, Jewish and Scandinavian prisoners.

Creator: Robert Clevely (artist): Thomas Medland (engraver): J. Stockdale (publisher)

Date: 17 June 1789

Credit line: National Maritime Museum, London