[1] Although not all of the ships sailed together, they have been referred to as the "First Fleet of South Australia" since all were carrying the first immigrants, including the founding planners and administrators of the new settlement, all of whom were represented at the proclamation of the new province.
[2] After a historic meeting at Exeter Hall on 30 June 1834, where the principles, objects, plan and prospects of the new Colony of South Australia were explained to the public, hundreds of enquiries from prospective immigrants started to arrive at the South Australian Association's headquarters in London.
[3] The ships that sailed in 1836 would carry prospective emigrants as well as staff employed by the South Australian Company, a private business enterprise, and various appointees of the British Government to set up the new British Province of South Australia.
[4][6] The ships began sailing from England in 1836 from January until about June, and arrived on the South Australian coast (all but one initially landing on Kangaroo Island) from July to December that year,[7] with the new province proclaimed on 28 December at Glenelg.
[8][a] The following list is based on the best available records,[9][1] ordered chronologically by date of arrival in South Australia.