Precis 12

Early Days on Eyre Peninsula 12

THE COMING OF CAPT. NICOLAS BAUDIN

By J. D. Somerville

... 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. …

After revictualling [at Mauritius], Baudin made for Van Diemen's Land passing round the Leuwin early in January, 1801. … 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. …

A partial survey of the island [Van Diemen’s Land] 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.” …

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 [particularly as the two nations were currently at war with each other - Ed.]

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. …

After the parting at Encounter Bay, Baudin sailed westerly, deliberately to “rediscover and rename the discoveries already made” … up St. Vincent Gulf, called by the French Gulf Josephine,... and then up Spencer Gulf (Gulf Bonaparte) … and 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.

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Next installment: the survey by Freycinet of Spencer Gulf and Boston Bay — which he named Port Champagny— at the direction of Baudin.