Matthew Flinders Route Taken on the Mapping of Most of Australia’s Coastline
December 1801 he reached “Cape Leewin”. Sailing east, he was amazed by the massive cliffs of the Great Australian Bight.
JANUARY 1802
In running along that part of the South Coast which lies to the west of King George’s Sound, I had endeavoured to keep so close in with the land that the breaking water on the shore should be visible from the ship’s deck; by which means our supposed distance would be little subject to error, and no river or opening could escape being seen. This close proximity could not, however, be obtained in every part, especially where the coast retreated far back; but it was always attempted where practicable and unattended with much danger or loss of time; and when it could not be done, I was commonly at the mast head with a glass. All the bearings were laid down so soon as taken whilst the land was in sight, and before retiring to rest I made it a practice to finish up the rough chart for the day, as also my journals of astronomical observations, of bearings, and of remarks. When we hauled off from the coast at night, every precaution was taken to come in with the same point in the morning, as soon after daylight as practicable; and when the situation of the ship relatively to the land of the preceding evening was ascertained, our route along the coast was resumed. This plan, to see and lay down everything myself, required constant attention and much labour, but was absolutely necessary to obtaining that accuracy of which I was desirous; and now, on recommencing the survey from King George’s Sound to the eastward, I persevered in the same system; and it was adhered to, although not particularly mentioned, in all the succeeding part of the voyage.
February 1802, he reached “Spence Gulf” on the coast of South Australia.
In Spencer Gulf Flinders lost eight of his crew when they set off in small boat in search of fresh water.
Flinders encountered two French ships “Le Geographer” and “Le Naturaliste” in a bay, which he named Encounter Bay.
Flinders sailed into Port Phillip Bay, which was previously discovered two months earlier by John Murray in the “Lady Nelson.
April 1802, food supplies were low so they sail quickly to Sydney. They arrived on 9 May 1802.
In Sydney, the Investigator was filled with food supplies. In July Flinders set off north accompanied by the “Lady Nelson”.
In August 1802 Flinders discovered a harbour which he named “Port Curtis”
October 1802, Flinders sailed through the Great Barrier Reef. The “Lady Nelson” hit a reef and had to head back.
By late November the hull of the “Investigator” was leaking and was landed on an island in the Gulf of Carpentaria for repairs.
In February 1803 Flinders discovered Port Melville. The next month he went to Timor for supplies.
Flinders left Timor and headed back to Sydney. On the return voyage many of his crew became ill with dysentery. Seven of his men died and the survivors were rushed to Sydney hospital.
Flinders headed back to Sydney in the “Porpoise” but was ship wrecked one week after leaving. Flinders and 13 men went back to Sydney in an open boat so the rest of the crew could be rescued.
In September 1803, Flinders set sail for England in the “Comberland,” and stopped at Mauritius, which was a French controlled island. He did not know that France and Britain were at war and was arrested by the French and accused of being a spy. He was jailed for six and a half years.
The French captain, Baudin, who he had met at Encounter Bay, took his maps and charts and claimed them as his own.
Flinders felt depressed after getting out of jail, because his work had been stolen and no one remembered him. He spent the last days of his life writing his book “A Voyage To Terra Australis”
Flinders died on the 19th of July 1814, the day his book was published.