A ship best known for its participation in the First Fleet, the Alexander was 114 feet long, and weighed 452 tons. She carried approximately 200 male convicts on the First Fleet, 37 marines and 30 seamen. During her eight month voyage to Australia, many of the crew suffered illness due to bilge water which had not been pumped out as often as it should, resulting in the water become dirty, contaminated, and rife with disease. Another dillemma includes a man being washed overboard due to strong winds. She left Port Jackson in July 1788 and returned to England in May 1789. Not much is known about her duties after arriving in England.