This tapestry interprets the painting by Algernon Talmarge (1871-1939) which depicts the founding of Australia and the raising of the Union flag by Captain Arthur Philip RN at Sydney Cove, 26 January 1788.
On 13 May 1787 a convoy of six convict transports, three storeships and two warships, the “First Fleet“, sailed from Portsmouth to found a prison colony in New South Wales. Among the 1,487 persons aboard were 246 Marines. After a voyage of nearly 8 months, 736 convicts were rowed ashore at Port Jackson to establish the first permanent settlement in Australia. The Marines, with their wives and children, began an unhappy three and a half years of tour duty. The settlement suffered badly with near starvation, lack of equipment and poor relations between Governor Phillip and the Marines. Hunger drove six Marines to robbing the public store for which they were hanged. Relief from deprivations came with the arrival of the Second Fleet in mid 1792 and the Army replaced the Marines as the settlement’s garrison force.
And, of course, some time later, things improved immesurably. I joined them too.
Thankfully you joined them in much better times
Oh I actually have the First Fleet stamps in a continuous strip from Australia to commemorate this special day.
That is a nice thing to have in your possession