We can better understand Aboriginal culture in the early 19th century thanks to the artwork, artefacts and written accounts that do survive. They not only describe the impact of colonial life in New South Wales, they also detail encounters that took place with Aboriginal people in Tasmania before European settlement there. The scientists noted down music and language. They observed rituals and customs. They collected artefacts. This evidence provides a record of a way of life that in some areas was about to disappear forever.
Petit sketched portraits and shelters, while Lesueur drew weapons, jewellery, utensils, landscapes, animals and marine life. Many scholars also agree that this art collection holds the first known drawings on paper by Aboriginal artists.
The accounts described friendly and curious contact. Other encounters were sometimes difficult or dangerous. Baudin restricted his crew’s use of firearms. His own writing details his concern for the Aboriginal people who came in contact with European civilisation. He defended their right to live in peace.
Hostile relationships
One fact is well established—Baudin and his men did not make good travelling companions. The young officers and scientists often argued with him. Most were unaccustomed to the harshness of life at sea. Baudin was entirely devoted to delivering his remarkable collection safely to France no matter what the cost or discomfort to himself or his crew. So they blamed him for many things, particularly the fact that he housed many animals below the quarterdeck where their cabins were located, causing them much inconvenience.
Twenty-two scientists commenced the voyage, but on the initial leg of the voyage the Commander’s ships were so overcrowded, he had to place everyone on rations. At the first port of call some of the young scientists deserted. Others died during the expedition. Only ten returned.
Baudin had a particularly hostile relationship with the young zoologist, François Péron. Several times on shore Péron delayed the voyage by wandering away, wrapped up in his own pursuit of science. Baudin grew very upset over his behaviour.
Yet Péron’s scientific work marked him as a highly intelligent and observant scientist. By the age of 28, he had helped Baudin to gather the richest Australian natural history collection of the time. His study of seawater temperatures made him one of the founders of oceanography. His writings touched on modern issues of global warming and conservation.
After Baudin’s death, Péron wrote the official account of the voyage. He changed much of what Baudin had written. Napoleon ended up thinking badly of Baudin. When Péron died, Louis de Freycinet completed the account. The first complete map of New Holland (Australia) appeared in his Atlas. By the time the second edition was published, Napoleon was dead, the wars were over, and Flinders’ discoveries were known. Many of the place names given by Péron and Freycinet were replaced with English ones.
Great navigators
In their day Baudin and Flinders were considered to have failed in their mission. Death and imprisonment meant neither could answer the accusations made against them.
Today we celebrate their joint contribution to world knowledge and the role they played in Australia’s history. They spread a vast body of information in cartography, botany, anthropology and zoology. They unlocked the mystery of the great South Land. Baudin, by charting unknown southern coastline, while his maps of Australia’s western coastline were more detailed than any done before. Flinders, by his remarkable circumnavigation. He will be forever remembered for naming Australia.
What of the mark left by Mary Beckwith? In 2003, Baudin’s Beach was officially named on Kangaroo Island. A memorial sculpture was also dedicated there to Mary as the first European woman known to have set foot in South Australia.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
For their definitive and scholarly works: C. Cornell, for her English translation of Baudin’s Journal de Mer; N. Starbuck, for her thesis unpacking Baudin’s stay in Port Jackson; J. Fornasiero, P. Monteath, J. West-Sooby; J. Bonnemains; M. Sankey; E. Duyker; F. Horner; K. Toft; A. Brown; P. Robinson; B. Kingston.
Also: The Baudin Legacy Project: The University of Sydney; Friends of the State Library of South Australia; Mitchell Library, Library of New South Wales; Colonial Secretary’s Papers; Historical Records of NSW, Vol IV by Hunter and King (including ‘Baudin’s papers’); Musters and lists, New South Wales (1800–1802); Old Bailey online; TROVE online; Letters of Margaret Catchpole; ‘Giant Bonaparte’, Mother Goose Rhyme.
Thanks go to my editor, Clare Hallifax.
To Michael for his constant support. To our beautiful, ever-growing family. Always.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chrissie’s passion at university was studying French. She now enjoys researching historical events. This is her second novel in the My Australian Story series to draw upon these combined interests. To find out more about the author visit:
https://sites.google.com/site/chrissiemichaelsorg
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First published by Scholastic Australia in 2014.
This electronic edition published by Scholastic Australia Pty Limited, 2014.
E-PUB/MOBI eISBN: 978-1-925064-33-9
Text copyright © Chrissie Michaels, 2014.
Cover copyright © Scholastic Australia 2014.
Cover photographs: Geneece Arnold © 2013, and Clare Hallifax © 2014. Used with permission. Cover image: The Mellish entering Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, 1830, artist unknown.
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