Ruqayyah Snyder
Sailing from Australia to America was no easy feat in the 1800s. The journey typically took four months, and conditions on board were harsh, with poor ventilation, little light, and the constant threat of disease. However, by the 1950s, the journey time had been reduced to about 25 days thanks to improvements in maritime technology, including the use of steam engines and the Suez Canal shortcut. Today, with the dominance of air transportation, sailing from Australia to America is much faster and more comfortable than it was for our ancestors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Distance | 24,000 km (15,000 mi) |
| Duration | 250 days initially, 25 days by the 1950s |
| Departure Port | Portsmouth |
| Arrival Port | Botany Bay |
| Year | 1787 |
| Passengers | Convicts, marines, sailors, colonial officials, free settlers |
| Ship Type | Clippers, steamships |
| Conditions | Uncomfortable, prone to seasickness, disease, poor ventilation, dark |
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What You'll Learn
Sailing conditions in the 1850s
The journey from England to Australia could take as long as four months in calm weather, while a well-run clipper ship with favourable winds could make the journey in a little over half this time. Clippers were built for speed, with streamlined hulls and large sails designed to catch even the slightest breeze. However, even with these advancements in sailing technology, steam was beginning to take over by the 1870s.
By the 1850s, it was possible to make the journey by auxiliary steamer, using a combination of steam and sail. However, steam technology was still inefficient, and strong prevailing westerlies on the 'Great Circle' sailing route benefited the clippers, keeping sail dominant until the end of the 1870s.
The journey was hazardous, with storms common in the Southern Ocean. A disaster at sea or a shipwreck left little hope for rescue, as few people could swim, and there were rarely enough lifeboats. Entering Sydney Harbour was particularly treacherous, with many ships coming to grief while sailing through 'The Heads'. One such incident occurred in 1857 when the immigrant ship Dunbar crashed into the rocky cliffs during a storm, resulting in the loss of all aboard except one.
Despite the dangers and harsh conditions, Australia was an increasingly popular destination for free settlers during this time due to the discovery of gold in 1851 and a booming economy. People from various countries, including England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, America, China, and Germany, embarked on the challenging journey to seek a new life in Australia.
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The journey's duration
In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, maritime journeys between Australia and Great Britain, which was a common route for migrants, took between 70 and 110 days. These journeys were made on sailing vessels, such as the three-masted ship Great Britain, which was popular in the Australia emigrant trade. Conditions on these ships were often harsh, with poor ventilation, dark quarters, and the frequent spread of diseases. Passengers in steerage class, the cheapest option, often suffered the most discomfort and had to share a common dormitory.
With the introduction of clipper ships in the latter half of the 19th century, the journey time reduced to between 50 and 70 days. The use of steam engines and the Suez Canal as a shortcut further decreased the travel time to about 40 days in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. By the 1950s, the journey could be completed in approximately 25 days.
It's important to note that the duration could vary based on the specific route taken. For example, ships travelling through the Suez Canal would make a stop at Port Said in Egypt. Additionally, the size of the ship, the number of sails, the time of year, the weather, and the cargo could also influence the overall journey time.
In the 1960s, air transportation became the dominant mode of travel between continents, significantly reducing the travel time between Australia and America.
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Ports and stopovers
In the 1850s, ships sailing from London to Australia would often make a stopover in Port Said, Egypt, if they were using the Suez Canal route. This provided an opportunity for passengers to explore a new culture, interact with locals, and purchase souvenirs. The port of Port Said was a bustling hub, with boats from various liners stopping alongside it, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
Another notable port of call was Hobson's Bay, where the famous ship "Great Britain" anchored in 1852. The ship's arrival caused a sensation, with over 4,000 people paying to tour the vessel. "Great Britain" boasted impressive features, including cabins for 750 passengers and 130 crew members, as well as accommodations for livestock.
The journey from Australia to America also included stopovers in other ports along the way. For example, some ships would continue on to Norfolk Island, where a second penal colony was established. Additionally, some ships would set sail for China, making stops in various Chinese ports.
By the 1960s, the advent of air travel began to reduce the dominance of maritime journeys. However, some people still opted for the adventure of sailing, and the journey time had decreased significantly due to technological advancements. The use of clipper ships in the 19th century reduced the travel time to around 50-70 days. The integration of steam engines and the Suez shortcut further shortened the voyage to about 40 days. By the 1950s, the journey could be completed in approximately 25 days.
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Ship design and technology
The journey from Australia to America by sea has been made possible by advancements in ship design and technology. The first journeys between Great Britain and Australia in the late 18th and early 19th centuries took between 70 and 110 days. Over time, improvements in ship design and navigation technologies have significantly reduced the duration of long-distance maritime journeys.
The introduction of clipper ships in the 19th century decreased the travel time between Australia and Great Britain to between 50 and 70 days. Clipper ships were faster and could better navigate the seas, reducing the overall travel time.
The use of steam engines and the opening of the Suez Canal as a shortcut in the late 19th and early 20th centuries further reduced the journey time to about 40 days. The steamships that plied this route, such as the Great Britain, had iron hulls, which made them larger and stronger than their wooden predecessors. These ships could carry more passengers and cargo and offered improved comfort and strength, although the conditions on board were still harsh, with most passengers travelling in steerage.
In the 1950s, the last liners could make the journey in about 25 days. These ships benefited from technological advancements, such as improved engines, and took advantage of shortcuts like the Suez Canal to reduce travel time further.
The design and technology of ships have played a crucial role in making the voyage from Australia to America faster, safer, and more comfortable.
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Passengers and crew
The journey from Australia to America or vice versa was long, uncomfortable, and often dangerous. In the 1600s, sea travel was unpleasant, with seasickness and discomfort being common. In the 1850s, conditions on board sailing ships were harsh, with most passengers travelling in a part of the ship called "steerage". These ships were built for cargo, not passengers, so the 'tween decks area was not designed for accommodation but was converted for that purpose. Passengers in steerage did not have their own cabins but were crowded into one large room that acted as a dormitory, dining room, and common room. Only about 1 in 10 passengers could afford a cabin, with steerage passengers suffering from dark quarters and poor ventilation.
The journey from Britain to Australia in the 18th and 19th centuries took between 70 and 110 days. The use of clipper ships in the latter part of the 19th century reduced the journey time to between 50 and 70 days. Steam engines and the Suez shortcut in the late 19th and early 20th centuries further reduced the journey time to about 40 days. In the 1950s, the journey took about 25 days, and by then, ships were beginning to resemble modern passenger liners.
The first iron-hulled steamships made the journey to Australia in 1852. These early steamers, known as auxiliaries, still carried a full set of sails, as their inefficient engines and the lack of coaling ports en route to Australia prevented the use of steam technology over long distances. However, the change from wooden to iron hulls enabled steamships to be larger and stronger, with much greater space below the decks.
The three-masted sailing vessel Great Britain was one of the most popular and long-lived auxiliary steamers on the Australia emigrant trade. It had cabins for 750 passengers and 130 crew, as well as accommodation for livestock. To satisfy the dining needs of those travelling from Melbourne to England in 1861, the ship took on board 550 chickens, 250 ducks, 150 sheep, 55 turkeys and geese, 30 pigs, a couple of lambs and oxen, and a milking cow and calf.
Passengers on the lowest deck were confined without ventilation or light, creating conditions that were ideal for the spread of disease. The use of candles or oil lanterns was restricted and sometimes forbidden, and the cramped conditions with timber, straw mattresses, hemp rope, and tar caulking meant that a fire could spread quickly. Disaster at sea or shipwreck left little hope for rescue, as few sailors or passengers could swim, and there were rarely enough lifeboats for everyone.
Despite the hardships, people still migrated from England to Australia, including young men, married couples, and children. Many were assisted passengers, while others were part of the Big Brother Movement, where people in Australia guaranteed to look after them.
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Frequently asked questions
In the 1950s, the journey from Australia to America took about 25 days. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the journey would have taken between 70 and 110 days.
Conditions on board sailing ships in the 1850s were harsh. Most passengers travelled in a part of the ship called "steerage", an area not designed for accommodation. Steerage passengers suffered from dark quarters, poor ventilation, and various diseases.
The first iron-hulled steam ships made the journey to Australia in 1852. However, these early steamers still carried a full set of sails due to inefficient engines and a lack of coaling ports. The three-masted sailing vessel Great Britain was one of the most popular steamers on the Australia emigrant trade.
Ships travelling from Australia to America could take a round-the-world route, returning to Europe through the Panama Canal in Central America. Ships could also take the Suez Canal shortcut.
Passengers included migrants, free settlers, and returning Australians.
