Translation of a letter by Matthew Flinders to the Societe d'Emulation, Mauritius, 9 August 1807, translated by Epidariste Colin

MLMSS 5434

fonds

1807

918249

Microfilm : CY 2281, frames 29-49

1 folder of textual material

Matthew Flinders, navigator and hydrographer was born in 1774. He joined the Royal Navy in 1789 and sailed for Sydney in 1794. From 1795 to 1799 he made several voyages with George Bass surveying the coast of New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land. He was promoted to commander in 1801 and during the next three years was involved in surveying a large part of the Australian coast. On a voyage to England in 1803 he was detained as a prisoner by the French in Mauritius (L'Isle de France) and was not released until 1810. On his return to England he was promoted to post chaplain. He died in 1814.

Handwritten translation in French of a letter written to the Societe d'Emulation de l'Isle de France concerning the deviation of compass readings on vessels owing to the direction of the vessel. During his circumnavigation of Australia on the 'Investigator' Flinders had observed magnetic variations which could not have resulted from change of position. After conducting experiments he concluded that such variations were due to the direction of the vessel. He stresses that is was necessary for him to resolve this problem in order to chart accurately the coast of Australia. The translation is signed by the translator Epidariste Colin and endorsed by the secretary of the society 20 September 1807

Information transferred from Manuscripts Leaf Catalogue No. 1 (4-232C) as part of the eRecords Project, 2010-2011

Keyword subjects:
Societies--France