Penal transportation
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This picture depicts women in England mourning their lovers who are soon to be transported to Botany Bay. Dated 1792. |
In
law and in
history,
penal transportation was the
deporting of
convicted
criminals to a
penal colony, such as in
Australia, typically from countries such as the
United Kingdom (including
Ireland).
A
sentence of transportation could apply for life or for a specific period of time. The penal system required the convicts to work, either on government projects (road construction, building works, mining, etc) or assigned to free individuals as a source of unpaid labour. Women were expected to work as domestic servants and farm labourers.
A convict who had served part of his time might apply for a
ticket of leave permitting some prescribed
freedoms. This enabled some convicts to resume a more normal life, to marry and raise a family, and a few to contribute to the further development of the colonies. Some used the freedom to revert to their previous ways. But
exile was an essential component of the punishment. At one time, returning from transportation was a
hanging offence.
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This notice on a bridge in Dorset warns that damage to the bridge can be punished by transportation. |
Transportation punished both major and petty crimes in
Britain and
Ireland from the
17th century until well into the
19th century. At the time it was seen as a more humane alternative to
execution, which would most likely have been the sentence handed down to many of those who were transported, if transportation hadn't been introduced. The British colonies in
North America received transported British criminals in the
17th and
18th centuries, the biggest penal colony being
Georgia which was opened in
1732. The
American Revolutionary War brought an end to that means of disposal, and the British Government was forced to look elsewhere.
The
gaols became more overcrowded and dilapidated ships were brought into service, the 'hulks' moored in various ports as floating gaols.
In
1787 penal transportation from Britain commenced to
New South Wales, a colony (now a state) in
Australia. The
First Fleet's arrival there is considered the founding event in Australia's history.
Transportation from Britain ended officially in
1868, although it had become unusual several years earlier.
In British colonial
India,
freedom fighters were transported to the
Cellular Jail in the
Andaman islands.
*Five of the
Cato Street Conspirators*
James Townsend Saward,
English barrister and
forger*The
Monmouth Rebels*The
Tolpuddle Martyrs*The
LudditesAs part of British, Irish and Australian history penal transportation has featured in a number of books, plays, films and especially in Folk music from the times of Transportation.Two of the most famous Folk songs from Britain and Ireland;
Botany Bay and
The Black Velvet Band describe transportation to Australia.
*
Banishment*
Deportation*
Convictism in Australia*
Australian history before 1901*
Australian penal colonies*
Millbank Prison*
UK National archives
