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Voyage of the Courtesans

In the spring of 1789, a ship left port in London bound for the Botany Bay penal colony in Australia. The ship carried precious cargo - women, sent to keep the desperate male colonists from engaging in what their governor called 'gross irregularities.' But these women were hardly quiet homemakers - they were a hardy raucous lot rounded up from London's notorious Newgate prison and other jails around the country, and they did not submit quietly to their forced voyage and the rough life they knew was ahead. Once aboard the Lady Juliana, these destitute convicts -- thieves, prostitutes and con artists -- turned their banishment into opportunity, setting up a business before they arrived in Botany Bay. See how they took control of the situation to create a better life for themselves and the future of Australia.

English
  • Originally Aired November 23, 2005
  • Runtime 60 minutes
  • Content Rating United States of America TV-PG
  • Network PBS
  • Created August 4, 2013 by
    Administrator admin
  • Modified November 18, 2022 by
    blueflinko