Swan River Colony Background Information
The swan river colony marked a new chapter in Britain's colonization of Australia. Once the first fleet arrived in 1788 in Botany Bay, later on in 1829 Captain James Stirling was appointed to sail to Fremantle to proclaim the Swan River Colony's start. The Swan River colony started with the cutting down of a tree to mark the siting of the new capital of the Swan River Colony. From then on, they sent free settlers over to Fremantle, in order for them to start a new life, and because Australia, at the time, had many job experiences, and land.
At first it was very hard to keep people alive, as the environment was very barren and dry, making it hard to locate fresh, clean water as well as food, and shelter. This lead to a decrease of population in the Swan River Colony. Nearby, Fremantle Prison, and its prisoner were given pure and clean water supply. As most prisoners were staying fairly healthy and alive, the free settlers demanded for the same water and food that the prisoners were given. This allowed the population to continue growing.
Later on, in 1850, the British, being the governors and leaders of the colony, allowed convicts to be transported to the Swan River Colony, because people needed help with clearing land, and buildings. This was the way of using free/cheap labor, as the convicts received no money. At the time the New South Wales Colony had been prospering, as they received clean water, and had convicts to help build and construct houses and buildings. Overall, the New South Wales Colony was a place for Colonies to create a life, and that no free settlers were permitted to live in that colony, whereas in the Swan River Colony, only free settlers were allowed to live there, from 1829 and on. This kept occuring until 1850, when they needed more free labor.
The transportation of convicts to the Swan River colony slowly came to an end as people were realising how cruel the transportation from Britain to Australia was. Moreover, both colonies didn't need any more convicts, and at that time, the population in Britain had returned to normal. The last convict ship to Western Australia; the Hougoumont, left Britain in 1867 and arrived in Western Australia on 10 January 1868.
At first it was very hard to keep people alive, as the environment was very barren and dry, making it hard to locate fresh, clean water as well as food, and shelter. This lead to a decrease of population in the Swan River Colony. Nearby, Fremantle Prison, and its prisoner were given pure and clean water supply. As most prisoners were staying fairly healthy and alive, the free settlers demanded for the same water and food that the prisoners were given. This allowed the population to continue growing.
Later on, in 1850, the British, being the governors and leaders of the colony, allowed convicts to be transported to the Swan River Colony, because people needed help with clearing land, and buildings. This was the way of using free/cheap labor, as the convicts received no money. At the time the New South Wales Colony had been prospering, as they received clean water, and had convicts to help build and construct houses and buildings. Overall, the New South Wales Colony was a place for Colonies to create a life, and that no free settlers were permitted to live in that colony, whereas in the Swan River Colony, only free settlers were allowed to live there, from 1829 and on. This kept occuring until 1850, when they needed more free labor.
The transportation of convicts to the Swan River colony slowly came to an end as people were realising how cruel the transportation from Britain to Australia was. Moreover, both colonies didn't need any more convicts, and at that time, the population in Britain had returned to normal. The last convict ship to Western Australia; the Hougoumont, left Britain in 1867 and arrived in Western Australia on 10 January 1868.