Precis 13

Early Days on Eyre Peninsula 13

FREYCINET'S VISIT TO PORT LINCOLN

By J. D. Somerville

On November 18, 1802, Baudin left Port Jackson in Le Geographe, accompanied by Le Naturaliste and Le Casuarina. … At King Island Le Naturaliste left for France, taking specimens, survey notes and other papers. The other two ships sailed westward [to Kangaroo Island].

At Kangaroo Island, Freycinet, in Le Casuarina, was given instructions to survey the two gulfs (St. Vincent and Spencer). He was allowed less than a month to carry out the work, and only sufficient provisions for that period. The instructions were faithfully carried out, a good survey being made of the two gulfs, Port Lincoln and Boston Bay (Port Champagny).

On making the rendezvous, Freycinet found that Baudin had just sailed away. He followed as fast as his boat would permit — a 30 ton boat racing a 450 ton ship ! He lost sight of the larger ship during the night. Baudin evidently repented his rash and ungenerous action, put about and returned to the island. However, the captain of Le Casuarina did not see that manoeuvre. He sailed westward, and then made for Nuyts Archipelago, where it was anticipated Le Geographe would be overtaken, but it was too late. Baudin's return to Kangaroo Island was fruitless, for Le Casuarina was not there and with his usual disregard for the welfare of those under him he sailed westward, until about due south of Streaky Bay, when a northerly course was made and the survey of the coastline previously omitted was made.

A boat was detailed to make a complete survey of the coastline behind Nuyts Archipelago, after which Le Geographe traced the coast westward to near Cape Adieux and then made for King George's Sound. Le Casaurina, not finding Le Geographe, also sailed for the same port, where she fortunately made contact. Freycinet's crew was in deplorable condition.

Judging by the distance Le Geographe kept away from the coast in the 1802 trip, it appears that little work was done on Eyre Peninsula that year; the greater part of the survey was performed in the 1803 trip by the two boats. The history of the expedition was published in three volumes and two atlases. … [edited by the naturalist Peron initially, then Freycinet. Details provided] …

Peron describes Port Lincoln as "one of the finest and safest harbors of all New Holland : the soundings even close in shore, are from 10 to 12 fathoms, and the extent of the port is so large that there is sufficient room for very numerous fleets." Boston Island, which received the French name of Isle Lagrange, in the mouth of the bay, formed "on each side a passage of two or three miles in width," both easy and safe to work and "finally as if nature particularly favored the Port Champagny (Port Lincoln), the general appearance of sterility is here no longer seen." It is most probable that Freycinet, when making his survey, did not go up to the head of Port Lincoln (Proper Bay). The remarks quoted would therefore refer to Boston Bay.

... In Port Lincoln they did not discover any fresh water, but it is possible Freycinet did not devote any time to the search, because he was scheduled back to his commander by a specific date and the survey of the coastline was to him paramount. The vegetation was strong and healthy, and judging by the number of fires seen, the French considered that there existed numerous natives.

"So many superior advantages belonging particularly to the Port Champagny insures it a very great degree of importance, and we may without hesitation assert that of all the points of this land, this is the most proper for the establishment of a European colony."

Peron is no more enthusiastic about the islands along the coast than was Flinders : " These isles are low, barren, and of a sombre hue : most of them do not produce a tree or shrub; the lichen alone seems to creep over the surface of the ground." He further states that there was no water or sign of any inhabitants on them. … "The barren desert of the abysmal fields lies all unfilled, and the foul land lies torpid in endless sloth."

Peron says they encountered " hurricanes and storms, shoals and breakers." In the first year they had twice endeavored to explore Spencer Gulf with Le Geographe, and twice they failed. A severe storm on one occasion threatened the destruction of the ship ... Scurvy was rampant, death had taken its toll, and nearly half of the seamen were incapable of carrying out their work. It was a doleful tale that Peron had to recite for the benefit of the French nation.

Three quarters of a bottle of stinking water was their ration, no wine, no brandy, but instead a bad sort of rum was issued. Biscuits were full of insects and salt provisions were putrid and rotten, so bad that the seamen often threw the rations into the sea. There were no comforts for the sick and no consolations from the superior officer …

The following names are shown on the map of South Australia and the Admiralty chart, serving as a reminder of the work performed by the French Expedition … : — Cape Adieu, Geographe Reef, Isles of St. Francis, Masillon I., Fenelon I., Tourville Bay, C. Beaufort, Murat Bay, C. Thevenard, C. Vivonne, De Cres Bay, C. D'Estree, C. Missiessy, Covisart Bay, D'Anville Bay, C. Carnot, C. Tournefort, Jussieu Bay, C. Colbert, Massena Bay, C. Euler.

Read the full article at https://sites.google.com/view/early-days-of-eyre-peninsula/freycinets-visit-to-port-lincoln 

Next installment: The preparation of the English and French charts, dealing particularly with the allegation that the French stole the plans of Flinders, and used them in the completion of their charts.