Penal transportation

Transportation redirects here, for other uses see Transport (disambiguation) or Transportation (disambiguation).

Women in England mourning their lovers who are soon to be transported to Botany Bay, 1792

Transportation or penal transportation is used to refer to the deporting of convicted criminals to a penal colony, for example to colonies in the United States of America from 1620s to 1770s and Australia in the early 1800s by the United Kingdom (then including Ireland). It can also be used generally to describe such activities.

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.

File:Dorset stur br notice.jpg

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. From the 1620s until the American Revolution the British colonies in North America received transported British criminals, effectively double the period that Australian colonies subsequently received convicts. 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.

Notable people who were transported

• Five of the Cato Street Conspirators
• James Townsend Saward, English barrister and forger
• The Monmouth Rebels
• The Tolpuddle Martyrs
• The Luddites

See also

• Banishment
• Deportation
• Convictism in Australia
• Australian history before 1901
• Australian penal colonies
• Millbank Prison

References

• Pardons & Punishments: Judges Reports on Criminals, 1783 to 1830: HO (Home Office) 47 Volumes 304 and 305, List and Index Society, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey, TW9 4DU.

External links

• UK National archives
• Convict life - State Library of NSW

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