Use this map to explore the notes and illustrations Flinders' artists & scientists made on their voyage.

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  • Before May 1803
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Departure from Spithead (England)18 July 1801

On 18 July 1801 the HMS Investigator departs Spithead with Matthew Flinders in command, bound for New Holland via Madeira and the Cape of Good Hope. Among the gentlemen on board are Naturalist Robert Brown, natural-history painter Ferdinand Bauer and landscape artist William Westall. The ship has a plant cabin on its quarter deck for transporting live specimens back to England. Captain Flinders implements a strict hygiene regimen for the long and arduous expedition ahead. After clearing the English channel, he is mortified to discover the Investigator is already leaking.

Flinders

  • Captain Matthew Flinders, R.N. — portrait
    National Library of Australia—136043658

  • William Westall — self-portrait
    Artist William Westall
    National Library of Australia—135716302

  • Robert Brown — portrait
    Artist Henry William Pickersgill
    National Library of Australia—136208561

  • HMS Investigator — plan for quarter deck illustrating the garden room
    National Maritime Museum, London—ZAZ6539