On the 24th of OCtober, Captain Arthur Phillip hoifted a pendant on board
his Majefly’s fhip the Sirius of 20 guns, then lying at Deptford, This fhip was
originally called the' Berwick, and intended for the Eaft India Company; but
having, while, on the flocks, met with fome accident by fire, was purchafed by
Government for a flore-fhip, and as fuch had performed one voyage to America.
Her burden was about 520 tons ; and being, from her conftruCtion, well-
calculated for this expedition, fhe was taken into the fervice as a man of war,
and with 'her capacity changed alfo her name.
As the government of the intended colony, as well as the command of the
Sirius, was given to Captain Phillip, it was thought neceffary to appoint another
captain to her, who might command her on any fervice in which fhe
might be employed for the colony, while Captain Phillip fhould be engaged in his
government. For this purpofe an order was figned by his Majefly in Council,
directing the Lords Commiflioners of the Admiralty to appoint John Hunter
efquire (then a mailer and commander) fecond captain of the Sirius, with the
rank o f poll. Although this fhip mounted only 20 guns, and thofe but fix-
pounders, yet on this particular fervice her eflablifhment was not confined to
what is ufual in a fhip o f that clafs; but, with a firfl and fecond captain, fhe
had alfo three lieutenants,, a mailer, purfer, furgeon and two mates, a boatfwain,
a gunner, and a fubaltern’s detachment of marines.
The Supply brig was alfo put into commifiion, and the command given to
Lieutenant Henry Lidgbird Ball. This veffel was to accompany the Sirius as
an armed tender ; and both fhips, having completed their equipment at Dept-
ford-yard, dropped down on the 10th of December to Long Reach, where they
took in their guns, powder, and other {lores.
They were here joined by fome of the tranfports, and continued waiting for
orders until the 3othsof January 1787, when they failed for Spithead ; which
port, however, they were prevented from reaching, by heavy and contrary gales
o f wind, which they continued to experience both in the Downs and on their
paffage, until the latter end o f the following month.
. One or two of the tranfports had in the mean -time arrived at Portfmouth, and
the Charlotte and Alexander proceeded to Plymouth, where they were to receive
the male and female conviCts that were ready for them.
On the 5th of March, the order for their embarkation, together with that of
the detachment of marines provided as an effort, was fent from the Secretary of
State’ s office, with directions for their immediately joining the other fhips .of the
expedition at the Mother-bank. This was done accordingly; and, every neceffary
arrangement having taken place, the troops intended for the garrifon embarked,
and the conviCts, male and female, were diflributed in the different
tranfports.
On
On Monday the 7th o f May Captain Phillip arrived at Portfmouth, and took
the command o f his little fleet, then lying at the Mother-bank. Anxious to depart,
and apprehenfive that the wind, which had for a confiderable time been
blowing from the quarter favourable to his paffage down the Channel, might
defert him at the moment when he molt wifhed for its continuance, he ,on the
Thurfday following made the fignai to prepare for failing. But here a demur
arofe among the failors on board the tranfports, who refufed to proceed to fea
urilefs they fhould be paid their wages up to the time of their departure, alleging
as a ground for this refufal, that they were in want o f many articles neceffary
for fo long a voyage, which this money, if paid, would enable them to pur-
chafe. The cuiflom of their employ, however, being againft a demand which
yet appeared reafonable, Captain Phillip directed the different maflers to put
fuch of their people as refufed to proceed with them to fea, on board of the
Hysena frigate, and to receive an equal number of her feamen, who fhould afterwards
be re-exchanged at fea, her captain, being directed to accompany the
fleet to a certain diftance.
This difficulty being removed, and the fhip’s companies o f the Sirius and the
Supply having received the ufual advance of two months’ wages, on Saturday
the 1 2th the men of war and fome of the tranfports -got under fail, with a view
of dropping down to St. Helen’s, and thence proceeding to fea ; but the wind
falling fhort, and proving unfavourable, they brought up at Spithead for the
night, and at day-break next morning the whole fleet weighed with a frefh
breeze, and, having a leading wind, paffed without any accident through the
Needles.
The tranfports were of the following tonnage, and had on board the undermentioned
number of conviCts, arid other perfons, civil and military, viz.
The Alexander, o f 453' tons, had on board 192 male conviCts; 2 lieutenants,
2 ferjeants, 2 corporals, 1 drummer, and 29 privates-, with 1 affiflant furgeon
to the colony.
The Scarborough, o f 418 tons, had on board 205 male convicts; 1 captain,
2 lieutenants, 2 ferjeants, 2 cqrporals, 1 drummer, and 26 privates, with
1 affiflant furgeon to the colony»
The Charlotte, of 346 tons, had oh board 89 male and 2-0 female conviCts;
1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 2 ferjeants, 3 corporals, 1 drummer, and 35
privates, with the principal furgeori of the colony.
. The Lady Penrhyn, o f 338. tons, had on board 101 female convicts; 1 captain,
2 lieutenants, and 3 privates, with a perfon aCting as a furgeon’s mate.
The Prince of Wales, of 334 tons, had on board 2 male and 50 female convicts
; 2 lieutenants, 3 ferjeants, 2 corporals, 1 drummer, and 24 privates,
with the furveyor-general of the colony.
b 2 The