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Born in Donington , Lincolnshire, England, the young Matthew Flinders had his hunger for exploration and knowledge whetted by the tale of Robinson Crusoe, and at the age of fifteen he joined the navy. Later, he sailed with Captain Bligh on The Providence, transporting breadfruit from Tahiti to Jamaica.
Later, Flinders sailed to Australia on The Reliance, establishing himself as a fine navigator and cartographer, and in 1796 explored the coastline around Sydney in a tiny open boat called Tom Thumb. In 1798 he circumnavigated Van Diemen's Land (later renamed TasmaniaTasmania State flag ( In detail) Coat of Arms ( Full size) Capital Hobart Governor William Cox (Acting Governor) Premier Paul Lennon Area — Land — Marine — Total 68 401 km² 22 357 km² 90 758 km² Population(Sep 2003) Density 478 400 6. 92/km² Time zone UTC) aboard The Norfolk, therefore proving it to be an island. The passage between the Australian mainland and Tasmania became known as Bass StraitBass Strait is a sea strait separating Tasmania from the south of the Australian mainland ( Victoria in particular). It was discovered by Europeans in 1798 by Matthew Flinders and named after explorer George Bass. Approximately 240 km wide at its narrowes after the ships' doctor, George BassDr George Bass British naval surgeon and explorer of Australia (1771-1803), was born at Aswarby, Lincolnshire. He trained in medicine at the hospital at Boston, Lincolnshire, qualifying in 1789, and in 1794 he joined the Royal Navy as a surgeon. He arrive, and a large island was named Flinders IslandFlinders Island is an island in the Bass Strait, located 20 km from the north-eastern tip of Tasmania, Australia. It is the largest island of the Furneaux Group. It is part of the state of Tasmania, and part of the Municipality of Flinders local governmen.
On 17 April 1801Events January 1 Legislative union of Great Britain and Ireland completed under the Act of Union 1800, bringing about the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. January 1 Giuseppe Piazzi discovers the first (and largest) asteroid Ceres. January 20 J Flinders married Ann Chappell, but was soon forced to leave his new wife when the British Government sent him back to Australia. He set out that July, in command of The Investigator, to produce a detailed survey of the coastline of Australia, the southern coast of which was still unknown.
Between December 1801 and June 1803, Flinders charted the entire coastline of Australia. He sighted Cape Leeuwin on 6 DecemberDecember 6 is the 340th day (341st on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 25 days remaining. Events: 1534 Spanish found Quito, Ecuador 1768 First edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica is published 1790 United States Congress mov and worked his way eastwards until he reached Fowlers Bay on the 28 JanuaryJanuary 28 is the 28th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. There are 337 days remaining (338 in leap years). Events 1521 Diet of Worms begins, lasting until May 25. 1547 Edward VI becomes King of England. 1573 articles of Warsaw Confederation are s. From that point on, the coastline was uncharted.