Supply was a small armed tender designed to move stores between British naval yards. Her coastal work let an island state shift heavy materials despite poor roads, much like a modern heavy goods vehicle. She was among the First Fleet's fastest ships and became Arthur Phillip's chosen lead vessel. After arrival she linked Sydney with Norfolk Island, then became the colony's main outside connection and emergency supply runner after Sirius was lost. David Blackburn's surviving letters preserve a participant's account of the voyage, the settlement, and the early Norfolk Island expedition.
Notable Point · 1:00:15-1:08:19
HMS Supply as the colony's lifeline
Supply's small size, speed, yard-supply origins, Norfolk Island shuttle work, and Batavia run explain why the colony depended on one modest tender.