This Week in Maritime History

Jan 26, 1788: Capt. Arthur Phillip’s ‘First Fleet’ Arrives in Australia

Capt. Phillip and the ‘First Fleet’ arrived in Botany Bay on this day two hundred and twenty-three years ago. The fleet of 11 ships left Great Britain on May 13, 1787 with 1,487 people, including 778 convicts with the intent of establishing a penal colony in Australia. The first of the eleven ships to arrive was the HMS Supply.

In Australia this day known as 'Australia Day', is a public holiday with records of celebrations on this day dating back to 1808. Australians now celebrate the day with fireworks, barbecues, sports events, and festivals.

Jan. 28, 1915: German Cruiser Sinks American Merchant Ship

The captain of a German cruiser ordered the destruction of the WILLIAM P. FRYE, a U.S. merchant vessel, after the crew onboard refused to throw the ships cargo of wheat overboard.

The merchant ship was destroyed and sank in the South Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Brazil on Jan. 28, 1915. Germany’s apology and admittance that the attack had been a mistake did little to scorch Americans fury over the incident.

The WILLIAM P. FRYE, named after Maine Senator William Pierce Frye, was built in 1901 in Bath, Maine.The ship became the first merchant vessel to be lost to German offenses during the Great War. Germany followed this attack with several more attacks on vessels with American passengers onboard, prompting congress to declare war on April 2, 1917.