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Matthew FlindersPrint Page Print this page

25-January-2014
25-January-2014

Photographs supplied by Arthur Garland

The tree commemorates explorer Lieutenant Matthew Flinders who explored the Derwent River in 1798.

It was Flinders who in 1798 confirmed Tasmania’s island status. He named the newly discovered stretch of water Bass Strait after his friend George Bass, a surgeon and fellow explorer who accompanied him aboard the Norfolk as it circumnavigated Tasmania, then known as Van Diemens Land.

During the circumnavigation they explored the Tamar River and spent Christmas on the Derwent, exploring the river almost to New Norfolk. Their report encouraged Lieutenant John Bowen to select Risdon Cove as the site of Tasmania’s first European settlement. The discovery of Bass Strait also paved the way for northern settlement.

Location

Address:Salamanca Place, Princes Park, Hobart, 7000
State:TAS
Area:AUS
GPS Coordinates:Lat: -42.886505
Long: 147.33237
Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.
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Details

Monument Type:Tree
Monument Theme:People
Sub-Theme:Exploration

Dedication

Actual Monument Dedication Date:Monday 23rd September, 1974
Front Inscription

In honour of Lieut. M. Flinders

Born 1774. Died 1814.

Explorer of the Derwent 1798.

Unveiled by the Minister for Tourism Hon. B. K. Miller M.L.C. 

23 - 9 - 1974

Presented by Hobart Marine Board

Source: MA
Monument details supplied by Monument Australia - www.monumentaustralia.org.au