Although I normally research military history, I found the following interesting.
This bollard will be found by the River Thames on the north side of Vauxhall Bridge in Millbank which was close to the notorious Millbank Prison (1816-1890). From 1788 to 1868 this bollard was near the steps where convicts boarded transport ships to Australia after being found guilty of mainly petty crimes which included Stealing furnishing from a lodging, stealing an item worth over one shilling (a week’s pay for a worker); buying and selling stolen goods, but one of the strangest crimes which could lead to deportation was impersonating an Egyptian!
From 1788 to 1868 around 162,000 consisting of mainly petty criminals were transported to Australia.
3 thoughts on “Transportation of Convicted Criminals to Australia.”
A large number of them came from Ireland, usually those who opposed British rule.
My Irish friends told me that a few hours ago and most like those in England were petty criminals.
The opposed British rule is a political myth like many directed at Britain . The deportation of the Irish were for the same small crimes which had been committed by those in England.