Register of Convicts on the First Fleet to Australia, 1787 On 13 May 1787, eleven ships set sail from England for Australia, carrying some 1,300 convicts. These were the first of the 170,000 men, women and children who were to be transported to Australia during the next sixty years or so. This convoy became know as the First Fleet and those on board were the 'First Fleeters'. The crimes for which they were punished were often very trifling misdemeanours. The register on display lists the name, county, crime, date of conviction, ship and the term to be served of the 'First Fleeters'.
