<P> Many changes were made to the manner in which convicts were handled in the general population, largely responsive to British public opinion on the harshness of their treatment . Until the late 1830s most convicts were either retained by Government for public works or assigned to private individuals as a form of indentured labour . From the early 1840s the Probation System was employed, where convicts spent an initial period, usually two years, in public works gangs on stations outside of the main settlements, then were freed to work for wages within a set district . </P> <P> Transportation to Tasmania ended in 1853 (see section below on Cessation of Transportation). </P> <P> In 1803 two ships arrived in Port Phillip, which Lt. John Murray in the Lady Nelson had discovered and named the previous year . The Calcutta under the command of Lieutenant - Colonel Collins transported 300 convicts, accompanied by the supply ship Ocean . Collins had previously been Judge Advocate with the First Fleet in 1788 . He chose Sullivan Bay near the present - day Sorrento, Victoria for the first settlement - some 90 km south of present - day Melbourne . About two months later the settlement was abandoned due to poor soil and water shortages and Collins moved the convicts to Hobart . Several convicts had escaped into the bush and were left behind to unknown fates with the local aboriginal people . One such convict, the subsequently celebrated William Buckley, lived in the western side of Port Phillip for the next 32 years before approaching the new settlers and assisting as an interpreter for the indigenous peoples . </P> <P> A second settlement was established at Westernport Bay, on the site of present - day Corinella, in November 1826 . It comprised an initial 20 soldiers and 22 convicts, with another 12 convicts arriving subsequently . This settlement was abandoned in February 1828, and all convicts returned to Sydney . </P>

What were the 19 crimes punishable by transportation