The colony, which had about 8,000 refugees only a year ago, now is struggling to cope with almost 20,000.

The colony struggled for five years after its establishment at Jamestown in 1607.

The penal colony had a population of around one thousand and for the first few years struggled to adapt to the Australian climate.

The colony struggled in its early days for economic self-sufficiency, since supplies from Britain were few and inadequate.

The colony struggled to establish a working economy and develop a government that could survive against outside pressures.

The young colony struggled for years to develop self-sufficiency and successful exports.

The colony struggled soon after its creation and most colonists left.

Religious leaders were actively involved while the colony struggled to develop a form of government compatible with Puritan beliefs.

Meanwhile, the small colony of canons had been struggling to establish themselves.

For several months the colony struggled to survive.