Flinders+in+1802

Please click here to return to Year 5 Topics This page describes only Flinders's experiences along the coast of South Australia. A more detailed account and list of resources will be found in the Year 4 Topics list.

In his ship, the sloop //Investigator//, Captain Matthew Flinders was ordered by the British Government to sail to New Hollland and explore the coastline. He took with him artists and naturalists to examine the plants and animals of this new land.

They sailed along the coast of western Australia, and in February 1802 they were exploring the coastline that was later to be called South Australia. The Ship's Master, John Thistle, and several crewmen were drowned in the sea while looking for fresh water near Thistle Island. His men climbed one of the lower hills of the Flinders Ranges in the heat to look around the countryside. On Kangaroo Island the animals were tame enough to be knocked on the head.

Flinders met the French ships //Geographe// and //Naturaliste//, and their captain, Nicholas Baudin, in Encounter Bay, Victor Harbor. Although the French and English were at war on the other side of the world, they exchanged information and Flinders gave Baudin copies of his charts on the following day. Later Baudin died on Mauritius, and, three months afterwards, Flinders was imprisoned on Mauritius for six and a half years.

Back in England, Flinders wrote //Voyage to Terra Australis// which came off the press the day he died.

Please click here to return to Year 5 Topics