The Coming of Capt. Nicolas Baudin

In this new series of articles Mr. Somerville deals with the exploration of Eyre Peninsula by the French, led by Nicolas Baudin.

The final article in the last series dealt with the meeting of Capt. Matthew Flinders and Nicolas Baudin in Encounter Bay on April 8, 1802. 

It is appropriate to mention that as these notes were being compiled, a French war sloop visited Port Adelaide, and on October 31, 1934, the commander placed a wreath on the statue recently erected in memory of Capt. Flinders. In this way the commander commemorated the meeting between those two early navigators. The French sloop on her way to Melbourne called at Victor Harbour in honor of the same meeting. It is said that this is the first French war vessel to enter Encounter Bay since Baudin was there in 1802 1803. 

We usually picture the meeting of the two ships as opposite the Bluff, Encounter Bay, but actually, according to Flinders' chart, the meeting took place south-east of the Murray mouth.

 The French, like the English thirsted after new lands to explore. We have had a glimpse of some of their earlier explorers in Australia — La Perouse in 1788 and D'Entrecasteaux in 1792. Neither of these accomplished as much as the French nation desired, so another expedition under the command of Capt. Nicolas Baudin was despatched to Terres Australes by Napoleon. 

Two armed ships were supplied, Le Geographe. a corvette of 450 tons (Capt. Baudin) and Le Naturaliste (Capt. Hamelin), probably about the same size as her companion, but much slower, which was used as a store ship. The commander had a wonderful array of scientists on board to study the various phases of natural history. 

The plan of organisation was well thought out, but failed in application, for unfortunately there was very little harmony or unity between the commander and those under him. 

The expedition left Havre on October 19, 1800, and arrived off Leeuwin's Land on May 27, 1801, or 220 days after leaving the French port. Flinders left England on July 17, 1801, and arrived off Leeuwin's Land, December 6, 1801—143 days. This shows how anxious Flinders was to get to the site of his work as compared with Baudin. 

ON HEELS OF FLINDERS 

Even after replenishing at Mauritius, Baudin found when he arrived at Leeuwin's Land, that he was unable to carry out his instructions to make for Van Diemen's Land. The stormy weather was approaching, sickness was prevalent, and shortage of stores was the portion of the staff and crew, so it was decided to start surveying the western coast while making for Timor. 

After revictualling, Baudin made for Van Diemen's Land passing round the Leuwin early in January, 1801. This time he obeyed instructions, possibly when he should have disregarded them, to enable him to survey along the unknown coast. Whether he would have caught up to Flinders is problematical, but it would have been a good race and the expedition might have had a strong claim for a greater share in the discoveries on the southern shores. 

However that may be, Baudin sailed for Van Diemen's Land, a partial survey of the island was made, and the scientists were kept busy in the various researches of natural history ; spending such a lot of time to the detriment of the navigating officers, one of whom (Freycinet) voiced their feelings to Capt. Flinders when they were together at Port Jackson, by saying, ' Captain, if we had not been kept so long picking up shells and catching butterflies at Van Diemen's Land, you would not have discovered the south coast before us.' 

Having failed to explore the southern coast of Australia after rounding the Leeuwin, nothing could have prevented Flinders from discovering a certain amount, but it is most probable that Baudin's share would have been much greater had he either gone straight along the coast, or had not spent such a lot of time around Van Diemen's Land. 

FRENCH SHIPS PARTED 

In a storm off the coast of Van Diemen's Land Le Naturaliste got separated from her consort, as also did a boat belonging to Le Geographe. Baudin would scarcely wait an hour for their return, but was prevailed upon to extend that time. The absent ship and boat failed to turn up with such promptitude as Baudin desired, so he sailed away. Fortunately the small boat fell in with an English vessel, and soon after met Le Naturaliste. Acting on the ' safety first ' principle — there being no rendezvous fixed in case the ships got parted — Le Naturaliste made for Port Jackson. 

Here we get a glimpse of the difference between the commanders of the two expeditions. We have seen how the loss of a boat's crew affected Flinders, and how time was spent in vain search, and here we see Baudin deserting his consort and a boat's crew without a search.

Baudin in Le Geographe sailed away westerly to the meeting with Flinders. On approaching Encounter Bay great was the Frenchman's joy on seeing a sail. Naturally to them there could be only one boat in that neighborhood — Le Naturaliste — so their disappointment must have been equally great when the ships got closer and the English colors were displayed. 

Flinders boarded Le Geographe and explained to Baudin the work he had done, drawing particular attention to Kangaroo Island, the two gulfs and Port Lincoln. Flinders in his manuscript log says that Baudin ' appeared to be somewhat mortified ' when he was informed of the work done by the English expedition. 

The accounts of the two authors (Flinders and Peron) of the expeditions differ considerably, but greater credence must be given to that by Flinders, as Peron was not present at the interviews and only received his version second hand. Peron was a naturalist attached to Baudin's expedition and on his return to France, wrote part of the history ; he died before the work of editing and publishing was completed. Freycinet then completed the task. 

'VOYAGE OF REDISCOVERY' 

After the parting at Encounter Bay, Baudin sailed westerly, deliberately to ' rediscover and rename the discoveries already made,' as T. Backhouse Walker so aptly puts it. Le Geographe sailed up St. Vincent Gulf, called by the French Gulf Josephine, as far as where Port Adelaide is now situated, and then up Spencer Gulf (Gulf Bonaparte) to about opposite the site of Wallaroo of the future, and then because of stormy weather and the size of his ship, Baudin had to abandon the idea of getting to the head of the Gulf, so returned to the open sea. 

He then followed the coastline, even though at some distance away, to about Fowler's Bay. By May 1802, or 18 months after leaving France, the party had not solved the problem of a supposed strait through Australia, Port Lincoln had not been visited, nor had the coast behind Nuyts Archipelago been examined. Baudin on his first trip had not thoroughly explored other parts of the coastline. 

Judging his route line, the coast could have been surveyed, only here and there, but his provisions were in such a deplorable condition that he was compelled to abandon all work for the season and make for Port Jackson, relying on his passport for succor. 

The passport provided for such a contingency as had now arisen : ' that the French vessels should be permitted to put into any of his Majesty's ports in case of stress of weather, or to procure assistance, if necessary, to enable them to prosecute their voyage.'  

In addition to the passport he had a personal invitation from Flinders. Capt. Baudin in a letter from Port Jackson to the Minister of Marine, Paris, referring to the meeting with Flinders at Encounter Bay, stated that ' he also invited me to put in at Port Jackson.' 

The Governor of New South Wales, seeing that Le Geographe was in difficulties when she arrived outside the heads at Port Jackson, sent out men to bring the ship into port. The staff and crew received a hearty welcome, as had those in Le Naturaliste a short time before. To feed the French crews and to provision the ships, the whole populace was rationed and every possible assistance was given to Baudin, his officers and men.