"In 1817, 101 convict women were transported from England to the new colony of New South Wales on board of the Lord Melville. Their stories have always remained invisible - until now. Years of research has uncovered the truth about what became of the women of the Lord Melville. Some disappeared into obscurity, some reoffended and some became pioneers, laying the foundation for the country Australia is today. The author of this book, Russell Kelly, has dug through hundreds of scant and often incorrect records to compile reliable biographies of these women's lives from the time they landed in the colony, as well as those of the more important passengers and crew that the ship carried. Through this book, we can finally learn more about the women who founded our nation and the treacherous journey that brought them all here"--Back cover.