A Hop Through Australia's History |
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1787 - The First Fleet Statistics
Let us now review the facts
And our poor brains not overtax.
Leaving Britain's earthly heaven,
In the First Fleet, ships eleven.
Guided by their Commodore
Sailed settlers a thousand and forty-four.
Chained up on the floating pen
Cursed round about six hundred men.
Fettered and not having too much fun
Lay women one hundred and ninety-one.
Keeping the lid on these captive sardines
Slouched two hundred and six marines.
Now let's not imagine chiefs aplenty,
The figure there was more like twenty.
But to ensure their breed survives
They brought some twenty-seven wives.
Above and below ran thirty kids
Who wouldn't have stayed home for quids.
That's the facts and them's the figures
Of those who faced our early rigours.
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![[RT pic]](/robert.jpg)