#OnThisDay 24 April 1803 the HMS Calcutta and supply ship Ocean left England to establish a new penal colony in Port Phillip. Included in the transport were convicts, free settlers, civil officers and 50 Royal Marines, all led by Colonel David Collins, a former judge advocate in Sydney. They arrived at Port Phillip in October 1803 and settled at Sullivan Bay. With ongoing problems, including access to water and timber, the site was abandoned in January 1804 in favour of Van Diemen's Land.
Source: Hawkesbury.net.au. Details for the ship Calcutta (1803)
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Browse digitised copies of the Colonial Secretary's Papers for David Collins (Colonel)

 
         
          

