Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society Inside The 18th Century Brothel Ship
Sep 30, 2025
Join maritime historian Siân Rees, author of The Floating Brothel, as she uncovers the intriguing tale of the Lady Juliana, a ship that transported over 200 women convicts to Australia in the late 18th century. Discover the varied crimes that led to their transportation, the conditions aboard the ship, and the complex relationships that formed between the crew and convicts. Siân sheds light on life in the nascent colony, the challenges these women faced, and the impact they had on Australia’s survival. A captivating journey into an often-overlooked chapter of history!
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Convicts As Colonial Infrastructure
- Transportation to colonies served to supply colonists and settlers when voluntary migration failed.
- Female convicts were deliberately sent as potential wives and 'breeding stock' to sustain new colonies.
Transportation Replaced Limited Sentences
- Transportation was the middle alternative between fines/whippings and execution in the 18th century justice system.
- Jails couldn't hold long-term prisoners, so transportation became a common sentence for felonies.
Petty Crimes Triggered Severe Punishments
- Most female convictions were for petty felonies like pickpocketing, shoplifting and maid thefts.
- 'Privy theft' from a person counted as felony, making even small acts punishable by transportation.
