Matthew Flinders in Port Phillip 1802

When Matthew Flinders entered Port Phillip on April 26, 1802, he believed that he had reached Western Port. He soon realised his mistake, and wrote in his journal: “I congratulated myself on having made a new and useful discovery.” On his arrival at Port Jackson he was disappointed to learn that Lieutenant John Murray had already discovered and named the bay Port King, after the Governor of NSW. Governor King, however, renamed it Port Phillip. Murray also named Arthurs Seat, and though he remained for about a month he did little exploration.

On April 27, Flinders climbed Arthurs Seat and found to his surprise that Port Phillip was so large that he was unable to see the northern end, even from such a high vantage point. He did, however, see another bay to the eastward which he correctly assumed was Western Port. During his visit of about seven days he explored the southern coast of Port Phillip and parts of Corio Bay but did not go far to the north.

Before reaching Port Phillip, Flinders had charted the southern coast of Australia from Cape Leeuwin. Late in July he departed from Port Jackson to continue the task, but although he successfully surveyed the coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria, it was discovered that the ship was in danger of sinking. He therefore made an anticlockwise passage around Australia to Port Jackson, where he arrived on June 9, 1803. Much of the journey, however, was out of sight of land.

HMS Investigator had been built as a coal-trading vessel in 1795. She had a shallow draught and excellent carrying space for her length, which made her suited for navigating close to the coast and to carry supplies for an extended voyage of exploration. She was bought by the Royal Navy in 1801 but as she was not required for war service, she was chosen for the charting of the Australian coastline.

On her return to Port Jackson in 1803, Investigator was considered to be beyond repair and was sold by the Admiralty. Rebuilt in England, she worked all over the world as a merchant vessel until 1853, when she was sold in Melbourne to be a storage hulk. She was broken up in 1872.

MAURIE HUTCHINSON – President, Peninsula Ship Society

The Peninsula Ship Society meets at Hastings Yacht Club at 10am on the fourth Tuesday of each month (except November and December). Visitors are welcome.