Nine of the eleven vessels which formed the First Fleet were hired at a cost of 10 shillings per ton per month. The merchant vessels hired by the Government were:

Alexander, Lady Penrhyn, Charlotte, Scarborough, Friendship, Prince of Wales, Fishburn, Golden Grove and Borrowdale. The two naval vessels were, of course, Sirius and Supply.

First Fleet in Sydney Cove after arrival on the morning of 27 January 1788 (Marine artist Frank Allen)