Ruqayyah Snyder
Between 1788 and 1868, the British government shipped over 160,000 convicts to Australia as punishment for their crimes. Western Australia, established as a free settlement in 1829, did not receive convicts until 1850. From 1850 to 1868, 43 convict ships transported 9,668 convicts to Western Australia. During this period, convicts who misbehaved faced punishments such as whipping and solitary confinement, while those who exhibited good behaviour could obtain a ticket-of-leave, allowing them to work for wages and live independently.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total convicts transported to Western Australia | 9,668-9,925 |
| Year of first convict transport | 1826 or 1850 |
| Year of last convict transport | 1868 |
| Total number of convict ships | 43 |
| Number of voyages from the United Kingdom | 37 |
| Number of voyages from Bermuda | 1 |
| Number of voyages carrying military prisoners from British troops in India | 6 |
| Number of convicts on the last convict ship | 229 or 269 |
| Number of convicts remaining under government control at the time of the last convict ship's arrival | 3,158 |
| Number of juvenile offenders transported from 1842 | 234 or 243 |
| Number of adult male convicts transported | 75 |
| Number of female convicts transported | 25,000 (for all of Australia) |
| Types of work convicts performed | Creating infrastructure, construction, rebuilding roads, crewing pilot boats |
| Types of punishment | Whipping, solitary confinement, stints in Convict Establishment prison |
| Types of pardons | Conditional, absolute |
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What You'll Learn
- Convicts were whipped for drunkenness, swearing, and stealing
- Some prisoners earned conditional pardons, prohibiting them from returning to Britain
- Fremantle Prison was built in the 1850s to house misbehaving convicts
- Convicts were sent to Western Australia due to overcrowding in British prisons
- Convict labour was used to build infrastructure in the colony
Convicts were whipped for drunkenness, swearing, and stealing
Convicts were transported to Western Australia as punishment for their crimes. The majority of these convicts were men, although there were around 25,000 women. Most had been convicted of non-violent crimes, with theft being the most common offence.
Convicts who misbehaved faced harsh discipline, including flogging or whipping. Drunkenness, swearing, and stealing were considered minor crimes and were often punished by whipping. This punishment was ordered by a magistrate or the Governor, and carried out by other convicts known as 'scourgers'. These 'scourgers' were typically physically imposing men who were paid by the government and slept in a separate section of the barracks for their own protection. Some convicts even bribed the scourgers with a few coins to 'go easy' on them.
Whipping was not the only punishment for minor crimes. Convicts could also be locked in solitary confinement, in small, cramped, windowless cells. These cells could be extremely hot or cold, and convicts might be left in darkness for up to three weeks, with only bread and water.
Convicts who committed more serious offences were sent to secondary penal settlements, such as Moreton Bay, Norfolk Island, Macquarie Harbour, or Port Arthur, where living conditions were harsher and punishments more severe.
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Some prisoners earned conditional pardons, prohibiting them from returning to Britain
The British government shipped criminals to Australia as a form of punishment for 80 years after establishing the colony of New South Wales in 1788. This policy was called transportation. During this time, more than 160,000 convicts were sent to Australia from Great Britain. The places where the convicts were held were known as convict settlements or penal colonies. The greatest numbers arrived in the 1820s and '30s, with most convicts being men, although there were also around 25,000 women. Most of the offenders had been convicted of non-violent crimes, mainly theft, in England's industrial cities.
Western Australia, established as the Swan River Colony in 1829, initially was intended solely for free settlers. However, it commenced receiving convicts in 1850. Between 1850 and 1868, 9,721 convicts were transported to Western Australia on 43 convict ship voyages. The first convicts to arrive in what is now Western Australia were convicts of the New South Wales penal system, sent to King George Sound in 1826 to help establish a settlement there.
Although conditions in the convict settlements were not especially harsh, convicts who misbehaved faced severe discipline. Offences such as drunkenness, swearing, and stealing were often punished with whipping or time in solitary confinement. On the other hand, convicts with good behaviour could obtain a "ticket of leave", enabling them to work for wages and live independently. Some prisoners even earned pardons. Conditional pardons freed convicts but prohibited them from returning to Britain. Absolute pardons allowed former convicts to travel anywhere they wanted.
The social stigma of conviction generally remained with ex-convicts throughout their lives and even affected their children. Ex-convicts and their children rarely married into free settler families, for example. Although some ex-convicts attained a position of social respectability by becoming successful self-employed farmers or merchants, it was uncommon for them to obtain paid work other than unskilled menial labour. Government appointments were generally closed to them, with the notable exception of school teaching. A substantial number of ex-convict school teachers were appointed because educated free settlers were not attracted to the low salaries on offer.
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Fremantle Prison was built in the 1850s to house misbehaving convicts
The arrival of the first convict ship, Scindian, in Western Australia in 1850 was unexpected. The colony was unprepared for the sudden influx of convicts, and the Round House, a prison in Fremantle, was already at full capacity. As a result, the convicts were forced to remain on the ship.
Fremantle Prison was built in the 1850s, using convict labour, to house these convicts and relieve the pressure on the existing prison system. The prison was based on the design of Pentonville Prison in Britain, which used the separate system to keep prisoners in almost complete isolation, encouraging reflection on their crimes. The gatehouse was constructed between 1854 and 1855, and the entire prison was completed by the end of 1859. The prison was designed to hold up to 1000 prisoners.
The construction of Fremantle Prison was a significant undertaking, with shafts sunk into the limestone bedrock to provide fresh water and a ramp built to connect the town to the prison site. The graded and limestone-capped slope became Fairbairn Street. Accommodation for prison staff was also constructed in the 1850s, with cottages built along Henderson Street and a residence for Henderson himself, known as The Knowle, completed in 1851.
Fremantle Prison served as a place to house misbehaving convicts, with punishments including flogging, solitary confinement, and working in chain gangs at gunpoint. One particularly harsh punishment involved hand pumping groundwater into the prison's reservoir, a task despised by the prisoners.
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Convicts were sent to Western Australia due to overcrowding in British prisons
From 1788 to 1868, the British government sent over 160,000 convicts to Australia as a form of punishment. This policy was called transportation. The places where the convicts were held were known as convict settlements, penal settlements, or penal colonies.
The Swan River Colony in Western Australia was established as a free settlement in 1829. However, in 1849, the British government authorised the conversion of Western Australia into a penal colony. The decision was influenced by the need to relieve overcrowding in British prisons, as well as the fear that France would lay claim to the western third of Australia, which was then known as New Holland.
The first convicts arrived in Western Australia in 1850, and transportation continued until 1868. During this period, 9,668 convicts were transported on 43 convict ships. Most of these convicts were men convicted of non-violent crimes, particularly theft. Conditions in the convict settlements were generally not harsh, and convicts who displayed good behaviour could obtain a "ticket of leave", which allowed them to work for wages and live independently. However, those who misbehaved faced punishments such as whipping or solitary confinement.
The end of transportation to Western Australia in 1868 marked the conclusion of 80 years of continuous penal transportation to the Australian continent. By that time, convicts outnumbered free settlers in the region, and it took many years for the colony to no longer have any convicts in its care.
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Convict labour was used to build infrastructure in the colony
Western Australia was a penal colony of the British Empire from 1849 to 1868, during which time convict labour was used to build infrastructure in the colony.
The colony received 9,721 convicts on 43 convict ship voyages. Most of these convicts were men, although there were around 25,000 women. The majority had been convicted of non-violent crimes, mainly theft. Convicts who committed more serious offences were sent to secondary penal settlements such as Moreton Bay, where living conditions were harsh and punishments more severe.
Convict labour was used to build essential infrastructure in Western Australia, including roads, bridges, and public buildings. For example, convicts rebuilt York Street and Stirling Terrace, and turned the track from Albany to Perth into a good road. They also constructed the Fremantle Bridge, connecting Fremantle with the road to Perth.
Convict labour also built many of Western Australia's heritage sites, such as Government House and the Perth Town Hall. Significant sites in Fremantle, including the Fremantle Prison and the Fremantle Arts Centre (formerly the lunatic asylum), were also built by convicts.
The use of convict labour was controversial. While some saw it as a free source of labour that would help sustain the colony, others believed it was a form of slavery and morally tainted the colony's reputation.
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Frequently asked questions
Western Australia was established as the Swan River Colony in 1829 and was initially intended for free settlers. However, in 1849, it was formally constituted as a penal colony.
Convict transportation to Western Australia began in 1850 and ended in 1868.
Between 1850 and 1868, approximately 9,600-9,900 convicts were transported to Western Australia on 43 convict ship voyages.
Most convicts transported to Western Australia were convicted of non-violent crimes, mainly theft. However, serious crimes like rape and murder also became transportable offences in the 1830s, but as they were punishable by death, few convicts were transported for such crimes.
Convicts in Western Australia were generally punished for misbehaviour with whipping, solitary confinement, or stints in prison. Good behaviour was rewarded with a "ticket-of-leave," allowing them to work for wages and live independently. Some convicts also earned conditional or absolute pardons.
