Who was Matthew Flinders?
Q: Who was Matthew Flinders?
A: Matthew Flinders was an English navigator and cartographer who led the first circumnavigation of Australia and identified it as a continent.
Q: What did George Bass and Flinders confirm during their second voyage?
A: During their second voyage, George Bass and Flinders confirmed that Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania) was an island.
Q: What did Flinders do during his third voyage?
A: During his third voyage, Flinders circumnavigated the mainland of what would become known as Australia, along with Aboriginal man Bungaree.
Q: Why did Flinder's vessel need urgent repairs at Isle de France (Mauritius)?
A: On his way back to England in 1803, Flinder's vessel needed urgent repairs at Isle de France (Mauritius).
Q: Why was he kept under arrest for more than six years?
A: Although Britain and France were at war, Flinders thought the scientific nature of his work would ensure safe passage, but a suspicious governor kept him under arrest for more than six years.
Q: What did he record while in captivity?
A: While in captivity, he recorded details of his voyages for future publication. He also put forward his rationale for naming the new continent 'Australia', as an umbrella term for New Holland and New South Wales – a suggestion taken up later by Governor Macquarie.
Q: What happened to his health during this period?
A: His health suffered greatly during this period due to being held captive for such a long time. Despite reaching home in 1810, he didn't live to see the publication of his widely praised book and atlas A Voyage to Terra Australis.
