Survivor: First Fleet (text version) | State Library of New South Wales

Survivor: First Fleet (text version)

Instructions

In this activity you play the role of Governor Arthur Phillip. With the information you have (from the sources) you will have to make decisions and recognise issues that are vital to the survival of the European settlement at Sydney Cove.

Choose the best option for each question. Will the young colony flourish under your leadership or will it starve?

Insert applet: survey_rosehill activity

Map of Sydney Cove by Francis Fowell

Question 1:

Look at the three large capital letters on the map of Sydney Cove. Which of these areas will be the most vital for the survival of the First Fleet?

  1. Point A
  2. Point B
  3. Point C

Question 2:

Which of these tasks is the most important in the first months of settlement at Sydney Cove?

  1. Clearing the land
  2. Protecting the breeding stock
  3. Sending a ship to Cape Town in for extra supplies

Question 3:

Which of these problems is the biggest one you are facing in the early months of settlement in Sydney Cove?

  1. Shortage of grain
  2. Rats are numerous
  3. Sheep are dying

Question 4:

In 1788, you have six of your soldiers hanged for stealing food. Why do you need to make the penalty so harsh?

  1. To show that convicts and soldiers are treated the same
  2. Because theft is worse here than in England
  3. Because the crops are failing and you’ve had to start rationing

Question 5:

You decide to resettle a number of people to Rose Hill. Why?

  1. Because food is running low in Sydney Cove
  2. Because the land is more fertile than at Sydney Cove
  3. Because Sydney Cove is becoming overcrowded

Question 6:

Most of this party to Rose Hill are convicts. Most of their time will be spent:

  1. clearing the bush
  2. managing farms to produce food
  3. rowing boats when the river gets too narrow and shallow for larger ships.

Question 7:

Which of these foods would you advise a farmer to grow at Rose Hill?

  1. Cabbages
  2. Potatoes
  3. Wheat

Question 8:

Aside from food the Rose Hill area has what other advantages?

  1. Lots of land
  2. It’s well away from Sydney Cove
  3. The timber found in the area is high quality and can be put to many uses

Question 9:

One thing you need at Rose Hill:

  1. more fresh water
  2. more land
  3. more workers.

Solution

Answer to question 1:

Option 1: profile match is Promotion material
Option 2: profile match is Surviving ... just
Option 3: profile match is Disaster looming

Answer to question 2:

Option 1: profile match is Surviving ... just
Option 2: profile match is Promotion material
Option 3: profile match is Disaster looming

Answer to question 3:

Option 1: profile match is Promotion material
Option 2: profile match is Surviving ... just
Option 3: profile match is Disaster looming

Answer to question 4:

Option 1: profile match is Disaster looming
Option 2: profile match is Surviving ... just
Option 3: profile match is Promotion material

Answer to question 5:

Option 1: profile match is Surviving ... just
Option 2: profile match is Promotion material
Option 3: profile match is Disaster looming

Answer to question 6:

Option 1: profile match is Promotion material
Option 2: profile match is Disaster looming
Option 3: profile match is Surviving ... just

Answer to question 7:

Option 1: profile match is Surviving ... just
Option 2: profile match is Disaster looming
Option 3: profile match is Promotion material

Answer to question 8:

Option 1: profile match is Surviving ... just
Option 2: profile match is Disaster looming
Option 3: profile match is Promotion material

Answer to question 9:

Option 1: profile match is Surviving ... just
Option 2: profile match is Disaster looming
Option 3: profile match is Promotion material

Profiles

Profile 1: Promotion material

Well done, you have an excellent understanding of the situation and the main priorities. Due to your decisions the young colony will not only survive but become that 'most valuable acquisition to Great Brittain' predicted in 1788.

Profile 2: Surviving ... just

You've made some wise decisions but the colony is not yet out of danger. Think carefully ... what are the most important priorities.

Profile 3: Disaster looming

You have displayed little understanding of how dire your situation is. You have not asked the local Aboriginal people for any advice so Sydney Cove is cut off from the rest of the world. Because of your decisions the colony is starving. Unless supply ships come soon the colony is doomed.