The Perils of the Ship Captain’s Journey

What is the best pathway to Australia?

By Joan (Smithy) Walklate & Alan Thwaites (click our names to contact us)

Pakenham Secondary College Unit Plan

Problems on ship journeysIn the early 19th century the ships did not have

motors and were only powered by wind. This meant that they took a long time to travel anywhere. Here are some facts about travelling on ships back then:

•It took the first fleet 8 months to travel from England to Australia, but it could be less or more depending on the wind.

•They had to take everything with them, but they had no fridges or microwaves so they had problems with food to solve.

•Convict ships were very crowded. They were unhealthy and boring because of all the people and because they didn’t have TVs or play stations.

•Sometimes the crew got angry because of the conditions and would take over their ship. This was called mutiny.

You can click the ship to go to a site about the problems of the First Fleet to Australia.

More Problems on Ship JourneysThe Captain had to decide the best way to go. The problem

was how to get there as quickly as possible and still have enough good food to eat so they didn’t get sick.

Map of Captain Cook’s Journeys – He had lots of choices on which way to go.

What Way Should the Captain Go?

This is the way we thought would be best because when the ship gets below Africa there are very strong winds that blow all the way to Australia

Why We Chose This Way for the Captain to Go•There are strong winds called the “roaring forties”

that blow all year from Africa to Australia. Our ship would go fast once we got to the bottom of Africa.

•We didn’t have to go close to Antarctica which has bad storms and that might wreck the ship.

Why We Chose This Way for the Captain to Go

The way we chose is the shortest on the map.

We measured it with a piece of string and compared it to the scale. It was 25 400 kilometres long.

There were also places we could stop at to get fresh food.

Why We Chose This Way for the Captain to Go

If the journey took more time the Captain would have give the crew more pay and he would have to spend more food for the convicts. So the quickest way is cheapest.

Where We Stop on Our Trip•In England the Captain would have to make sure

there was plenty of food on board. They had no fridge so food like milk and vegetables did not last long. The Captain would have to bring cows and sheep and chickens for fresh food but this would not last for the whole trip.

•We had the Captain stop at Cape Town at the bottom of South Africa to get more fresh food and animals. They would also need to get water.

My PowerPoint Presentation Self-Evaluation

I cited all my pictures and information

1 or none

How many different solutions did I make

I justified my choice of solutions

I have suggested some realistic solutions

I have identified the problems of the journey

My presentation is easy to read

My presentation works

23 or more

Click to go to teacher evaluation

Works Cited or Used in My PresentationFirst Fleet Fellowship Incorporated Victoriahttp://home.vicnet.net.au/~firstff/Background graphic, pictures of Ships.Captain Cook Countryhttp://www.captaincook.org.uk/chart.htm Map of Captain Cook’s journeysMap of the Worldhttp://go.hrw.com/atlas/norm_htm/world.htm Map of My Captain’s journeyCaptain Viper's Warriors at Seahttp://warriorsatsea.rxss.com/ships5.htmlTravelling ship pictureNational Geophysical Data Centerhttp://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/paleo/hurricane/images/oldship.jpgShip in storm pictureGreen Eclipse nature Soundshttp://www.greeneclipse.net/thewavfiles/natura_e.htmlSound files of thunder and waves.

BBYYEE!!

© State of Victoria 2003  This work has been created by the teachers listed below as employees of the

Department of Education and Training, Victoria and copyright is owned by the Crown in right of the State of Victoria. It may be reproduced in whole or in part for study or training purposes, subject to the inclusion of an acknowledgment of the source and no commercial usage or sale. Reproduction for the purposes other than those indicated above requires the written permission of the Department of Education and Training. Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction and copyright should be addressed to the Liability Management Manager, Department of Education and Training, 2 Treasury Place, Melbourne, VIC, 3002

The State of Victoria accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of any part of this material and bears no responsibility for any modifications made.

List of teachers name and materials produced – A. Thwaites & J. Walklate - ‘The Perils of the Ship Captain’s Journey’ Unit Plan & Multimedia presentation.