The arrival of the Second Fleet at Sydney Cove in June 1790 saved the starving colony. Relief soon turned to shock and anger as the terrible conditions for convicts on board the ships came to light. The English government’s decision to engage slave traders Calvert and King to transport the second fleet convicts led to controversy and reform back in England.

DELIVERY MODE

• Face-to-Face

COURSE OUTLINE

• Decision by the English government to send second fleet – decision to contract transport to Slavers Calvert and King
• State of the colony by June 1790 – failed crops and hunger
• Arrival of the subsequent second fleet
• Sick and dying convicts
• Letters back to England
• Subsequent controversy and reform in England
• Survivors of the second fleet

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Understand the importance of the second fleet to the penal settlement at Botany Bay
2. Understand the nature of government decision making at the time to cut costs through contract with slave traders and the human impact of the second fleet