Governor+Arthur+Phillip


 * =Governor Arthur Phillip=

In 1786 Admiral Arthur Phillip was appointed the first Governor of New South Wales. He had many trials and tribulations as he established the first Australian European Penal Colony. These trials ranged from organising a fleet, location of the settlement and lack of food. || **Governor Arthur Phillip**  || **H.M.S. Sirius** || The First Fleet set sail for Australia on the 13th of May 1787. There were 1487 people on board only 1332 people survived the 8 month journey. The leading ship HMS Supply reached Botany Bay on the 18th of January 1788. Phillip however the site had poor soil, no secure place to anchor and lacked a reliable water source. After some exploration of the area Phillip decided to move the settlement to Port Jackson. On the 26th of January 1788 the marines and convicts landed at Sydney Cove. Phillip named the cove after Lord Sydney who appointed him to the Governor position || **Sydney Cove** || Overtime however, Governor Arthur Phillip brought stability to the area with fresh food and adequate housing. Even though he had to overcome finding a fleet, poor location and lack of food he strived to build Sydney. ||
 * Governor Phillip had difficulty assembling a fleet which would be capable of making and surviving an 8 month sea voyage to Australia. The fleet would need to carry all supplies, tools and resources necessary for the colony to be established. Phillip had no real idea of what he had to find in Australia as he only had written descriptions of what was seen. He also needed to find funds to support and pay the expedition to Australia. Phillip recommended that those on the voyage should be skilled in farming, building and crafting. This request was denied and he was given 772 convicts from London’s prison system. However, he was provided with a contingent of marines and a few officers to help administer the colony. || [[image:ff24_a928087.jpg width="186" height="193"]]
 * [[image:HMSSirius.jpg width="228" height="200"]]
 * The early days of settlement in Sydney Cove were long and difficult due to supply issues. With the limited supply it was important for food to be grown quickly. However, the soil located in the area was of poor quality and the seasons and humidity were different to what Phillip and the settlers were used to. Very few of the convicts brought to the settlement had farming background lacking the skills and the will necessary to grow crops. The only farming supplies they had where the few they brought with them from Britain. These difficulties built up o the point where starvation was a threat to the colony. To stop this Phillip sent ships to Cape Town to acquire more food supplies which were heavily rationed. ||
 * [[image:183973-captain-arthur-phillip.jpg width="204" height="88"]]