Curio

State Library of New South Wales
A Chart of Bass's Strait between New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land explored by Matt.w Flinders 2nd Lieut. of His Majesty's Ship Reliance by order of His Excellency Governor Hunter, 1798–9, 1801

A Chart of Bass's Strait between New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land explored by Matt.w Flinders 2nd Lieut. of His Majesty's Ship Reliance by order of His Excellency Governor Hunter, 1798–9, 1801

Matthew Flinders
Published by A Arrowsmith, London
DL Cc 80 / 1

Separate voyages led George Bass and Matthew Flinders to share the view that a strait separated the mainland from Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania). Flinders and Bass set out on the Norfolk to settle the matter – Flinders concentrated on charting and Bass documenting the land. Having satisfied themselves on the existence of the strait and island, at Flinders’ suggestion, Governor Hunter named the strait after Bass. This chart shows the tracks of George Bass's whaleboat (1797–98), Matthew Flinders’ Francis (1798) and Bass and Flinders’ Norfolk (1798–1799).

Flinders' chart-making methods

By http://flinders.rmg.co.uk

Flinders largely used the method known as the Running Survey (which had been first used by Captain Cook) to chart the Australian coastline. He would take a series of bearings on fixed points on shore, relating them to the ship's position and speed through the water. It provided an accurate picture of the coastline, but there was rarely enough time to measure the depth of the water in any great detail. In places where the Investigator stopped for any length of time, the surveying is noticeably more accurate.

George Bass

By http://flinders.rmg.co.uk

Born in Aswarby, Linconshire in 1771. Apprenticed to surgeon-apothecary in Boston, Lincolnshire. Obtained his Membership of the Company of Surgeons in 1789 and joined the Royal Navy to become surgeon. Joined HMS Reliance as assistant surgeon on her 1795 voyage to New South Wales and teamed up with Flinders in various explorations of the coastline. In 1797-98 explored 1930 km (1200 miles) of coastline south from Sydney to the Victorian coast and was sure there was a strait between the mainland and Van Diemens Land, but did not have time to prove it. Accompanied Flinders on his circumnavigation of Tasmania (then Van Diemens Land) in late 1798. Flinders named Bass's Strait (now Bass Strait) after him. Also explored inland looking for new natural history specimens. Married Henry Waterhouse's sister, Elizabeth, in October 1800. Left Sydney on 5 February 1803 on a speculative commercial voyage to New Zealand and was never seen again. It was rumoured that he was heading to Chile with an illegal cargo.