The Lady Penrhyn was one of six convict transport ships in the First Fleet. The First Fleet carried the convicts and soldiers to Australia to start a penal colony. The ships left England in May 1787 and arrived in Australia in January 1788. This was the start of European settlement of Australia.
The Lady Penrhyn was a ship of 338 tons under the command of William Cropton Server. The ship had been built on the River Thames in 1786. She was long and wide.The captain, William Server, and biscuit maker, William Curtis were the owners of the ship. They had a contract with the British Government to carry convicts. The owners were paid at a rate of 10 shillings per ton per month. They had to agree to keep the prisoners secure and safe. She transported 101 female convicts to New South Wales. The convict women were kept secure with both handcuffs and chains.
After the First Fleet trip, the Lady Penrhyn was under contract to work for the East India Company. She left Sydney on May 5, 1788 to go to China to pick up a load of tea. The Lady Penryhn got back to England in August 1789.