A watercolour painting of theNorfolk Island settlement c. 1790
28 February – John Irving becomes the first convict to be emancipated inNew South Wales.
19 March –HMSSirius, while transporting supplies to Norfolk Island, becomes wrecked and destroyed on a reef. This destroys many of the colony's supplies, and Phillip is again forced to introduce rationing to avoidfamine.
March – Following the loss of theSirius,Lieutenant-Governor King returns to Britain to report on the difficulties of the settlements in New South Wales.Marine commanderRobert Ross takes control ofNorfolk Island in his absence, and under his harsh rule the condition on the island deteriorates.
17 April – In order to replenish the supplies lost with theSirius, Phillip sends the colony's only remaining ship (HMSSupply) toBatavia.
3 June – TheLady Juliana arrives in Port Jackson – the first ship to land on Australian soil since theFirst Fleet. Much to the colonists' despair, she contains no fresh supplies, only more convicts.
20 June – TheSecond Fleet arrives in Port Jackson with much needed supplies. It also carries 759 new convicts and the first detachment of theNew South Wales Corps.
July – The first census taken in the colonies reveals the population of NSW to be 1,715 and Norfolk Island to be 524.
7 September – GovernorArthur Phillip is speared in the shoulder while speaking with a group ofIndigenous Australians, due to a misunderstanding. Acting as interpreter,Bennelong prevents the situation from escalating and the Aboriginal people are permitted to leave in peace.
18 October – HMSSupply returns from Batavia with more supplies.
