Keywords: SLNSW 812935 9 Elephant Shark.jpg Aggregated Collection Textual Records Graphic Materials The First Fleet consisting of 11 vessels was the largest single contingent of ships to sail into the Pacific Ocean Its purpose was to found a convict settlement on the east coast of Australia at Botany Bay ; The First Fleet sailed from England on 13 May 1787 carrying more than 1 500 people and arrived at Botany Bay eight months later on 18 January 1788 Governor Arthur Phillip rejected Botany Bay choosing instead Port Jackson to the north as the sight for the new colony; they arrived on 26 January 1788 The Fleet consisted of two naval escorts HMS Supply and the flagship HMS Sirius carrying the Governor; six convict transports the Alexander Charlotte Friendship Lady Penrhyn Prince of Wales and the Scarborough; and three storeships the Borrowdale Fishburn and Golden Grove This selection comprises ten of the eleven known First Fleet journals including two versions of Philip Gidley King's journal; and correspondence and artworks of First Fleeters First Fleet 1787-1788 ; New South Wales -- History -- 1788-1851 812935 9 Elephant Shark Fauna of New South Wales George Raper Paintings in Australia |