David Blackburn

Lieutenant David Blackburn (1 January 1753 – 10 January 1795) was a Royal Navy officer. He was Commander of the ship HMS Sirius on its voyage to Norfolk Island in March 1790 having been Master of in the First Fleet that established the British settlement in New South Wales, Australia in 1788.

Early life and family Blackburn was born on 1 January 1753 at Newbury, Berkshire, England. He was eldest son of Rev. John Blackburn (d.1762) and his wife Elizabeth (née Martineau, b.1725). His family moved to Norwich after John's death in 1762. Also living at Norwich was his aunt, Dame Sarah Martineau (1725–1800) who wrote comforting letters to family members, including her sister-in-law and niece – David's mother and sister respectively – concerning her nephew's well-being and death. These letters are held at the State Library of New South Wales and the National Library of Australia.

Career He joined the Royal Navy on 5 May 1779, serving as a midshipman in . He was serving as master of in the West Indies in 1785.

First Fleet and related correspondence Blackburn is seen fifth from left in Algernon Talmage's sketch for his 1937 painting "The Founding of Australia"In April 1787 he was appointed master of Supply, part of the First Fleet that established British settlement in New South Wales. During this time he wrote a series of letters to family members, including his sister Margaret (b. 1762) and friends, many of which are still extant. These letters describe the events of the voyage and the early days of settlement, including Blackburn's participation in the expedition to Norfolk Island to establish a settlement there in February 1788. shortly before the Fleet left he told his sister in a letter that "my dislike to the voyage begins gradually to wear off". Governor Arthur Phillip's letters to Blackburn are held at the National Library of Australia. Blackburn joined Phillip's expedition in search of a better location for the settlement,