Australia Day

[yamaman]

Australia Day today (26th), the day we celebrate becoming a nation. It was on this day in 1788 that the male convicts on the first fleet (11 ships with around 1000 people, 200 female) disembarked in Sydney Cove. Botany Bay (the original destination) was reached on Jan 17, but was not found equal to Capt James Cooks flourishing description from his voyage of discovery in 1770. So after a few days nearby Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour) was found and chosen for the first settlement. The female convicts were not disembarked until the 6th of Feb. On this day the sailors and guards were given extra rum rations to celebrate a good job well done. What followed was a night that "beggars every discription" and an orgy of massive proportions occured, which even some seasoned sailors blushed on thier recollections! Surgeon Arthur Bowes described the scene- "The convicts got to the women very soon after their landing, and the scene of debauchery and riot that ensued during the night may be better conceived than express'd". A little about how our great nation was "conceived" lol. cheers

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[tonyc]

Happy Aulstalia Day to all of our downunder mates.