HMS Investigator

HMS Investigator was acquired in 1798 by the Royal Navy was previously known as F ram renamed HMS Xenophon, and later in 1801 was transformed to a survey ship well recognized as the famous ship HMS Investigator.

She was sent for an expedition to map the Australian coastline, as well as to study the plant and animal life on the new colony under the command of Matthew Flinders who set sail from Spithead for Australia on 18 July 1801, calling at the Cape of Good Hope before passing through the Indian Ocean and spotting Cape Leeuwin off South West Australia on 6 December 1801.

HMS Investigator held close to the east coast, crossed through the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait. However, the ship showed severe leaks and damage and the crew were sick and have developed some diseases such as dysentery and scurvy.   Flinders had to cut short the trip and the survey on the north and west coasts of Australia.  Flinders did, however, complete the circumnavigation of Australia and on 9 June 1803 Investigator reached Port Jackson.