convict ships

Convict ships were vessels used to transport prisoners, often from Britain and Ireland, to penal colonies abroad, such as Australia, in the 18th and 19th centuries. These journeys could last several months, with prisoners securely chained and under strict supervision. The ships were designed to carry large numbers of inmates and were sometimes overcrowded and harsh. The purpose was to relocate convicts to serve their sentences and help establish and develop remote colonies, providing labor and contributing to economic growth. Despite the difficult conditions, these voyages played a crucial role in shaping the history and demographic makeup of former colonies like Australia.