True, except that after the establishment of transportation in 1717 capital punishment became less and less common, so by 1787 there were many prisoners in England for whom gaol (sorry, jail for the North Americans!) space could not be found. So, in May 1787 they packed about 760 of them into a fleet and dispatched them.

You should also note that the paper you refer to is rather inaccurate. The 'discovery' of Australia (actually just the East coast) in 1770 was in fact by Capt. James Cook, a Briton. The Dutch, Portugese and English having already explored much of the north and west of the continent.

Of course Australia is just one of the large majority of countries who won't offer unfettered access to criminals. But as theorbtwo points out, it is a little incongrous, isn't it!

jdtoronto Originally from Australia