Page 56 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

54  INTRODUCING A USTR ALIA

The Colonization of Australia

By the mid-18th century Britain had taken over as the
world’s main maritime power. In 1768 Captain James
Cook set off to find Australia in the Endeavour and in Endeavour and in Endeavour
1770 King George III formally claimed possession of the
east coast, named New South Wales. Overcrowding of
jails and the loss of American colonies in the War of
Independence led the British to establish a penal colony
in the new land. The First Fleet, consisting of two men- Captain James Cook (c.1800) (c.1800) (
of-war and nine transport ships, arrived in Sydney Cove The English navigator charted eastern
on 26 January 1788. The initial settlement consisted of Australia for the first time between
750 convicts, approximately 210 marines and 40 women 1770 and 1771.
and children. Faced with great
hardship, they survived in tents,
eating local wildlife and rations
from Britain.

Boat building at the
Government dockyard

Aborigines depicted
observing the new
white settlement.

A View of Sydney Cove
Britain Takes Possession This idyllic image, drawn by Edward
In 1770 the Union Jack was raised Dayes and engraved by F Jukes in
on the east coast of Australia, and 1804, shows the Aboriginal peoples
Britain finally claimed possession living peacefully within the infant
of this new-found land. colony alongside the flourishing
maritime and agricultural
industries. In reality, by the end of
the 18th century they had been
entirely ostracized from the life and
prosperity of their native land. The
first settlement was founded at Port
Jackson, renamed Sydney Cove.
Sir Joseph Banks
Aboard the Endeavour with Endeavour with Endeavour
Captain Cook, botanist Joseph
Banks was responsible for the
proposal of Botany Bay as the
first penal settlement.