John Mason was
master of the ''
Prince of Wales'' a transport ship in the
First Fleet
The First Fleet was a fleet of 11 ships that brought the first European and African settlers to Australia. It was made up of two Royal Navy vessels, three store ships and six convict transports. On 13 May 1787 the fleet under the command ...
, assigned to transport convicts for the European colonisation of Australia.
''Prince of Wales'' left
Portsmouth on 13 May 1787, carrying 47 female convicts. Six days later two male convicts were also transferred aboard; the ringleaders of a failed mutiny aboard fellow First Fleet transport ''Scarborough.'' The Fleet arrived at
Port Jackson,
Sydney, Australia
Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the States and territories of Australia, state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and List of cities in Oceania by population, Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metro ...
, on 26 January 1788.
Mason's ship left Port Jackson on 14 August 1788, and arrived back in
London, via
Rio de Janeiro, on 30 April 1789.
John Mason died of
scurvy on the return voyage.
English sailors
Deaths from scurvy
Year of death unknown
Year of birth unknown
People who died at sea
First Fleet
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