How many ships made up the First Fleet?

The First Fleet was made up of 11 ships.

The fleet sailed from Portsmouth on 13 May 1787 under the command of Captain Arthur Phillip, carrying convicts, marines, sailors, officials and supplies for a new British penal colony. After a voyage of roughly 24,000 kilometres lasting more than 250 days, it reached Botany Bay in January 1788 before moving north to Port Jackson.

The 11 ships consisted of two naval vessels, six convict transports and three store ships. HMS Sirius served as the flagship, while Supply acted as an armed tender. The convict transports included Alexander, Charlotte, Friendship, Lady Penrhyn, Prince of Wales and Scarborough.

The fleet is often confused with the number of people aboard it. About 1,420 people are identified as having embarked, although surviving records are incomplete. The ships arrived at Sydney Cove on 26 January 1788, establishing the Colony of New South Wales. That date later became associated with Australia Day, although its meaning remains historically contested.