The subject matter for this week’s publication onto the London Shoes website – was influenced by a particular topic that made the national news last week – not just here in the UK, but also on the other side of the world.
One of the news headlines from last week covered an archeological discovery in the ‘Smoke’ of significant historical importance – as a result of the extensive amount of construction wort currently taking place in and around Euston Station in respect of the HS2 high powered rail link project under construction between London & Birmingham.
Part of the land being excavated down the side of the mainline Euston Station, was once a burial ground, where it is said that up to 40,000 bodies are laid to rest – and a particular ‘find’ during this construction/excavation work – had historians and archeologists getting all excited.
The grave/remains of a very important man in history, was unearthed and the excitement and interest of this ‘find’ literally just happened to then spread across the globe.
So – this week’s blog is all about “Captain Matthew Flinders”…the very first man to circumnavigate the continent of Australia – who was also the man responsible for naming the continent – making him one of Britain’s most influential naval explorers.
(Image courtesy of Wikimedia)
Matthew Flinders was born in 1774 in Donnington Lincolnshire.
He joined the Royal Navy in 1790 at the age of 15.
By 1795 he had become a ‘mid-shipman’ – and voyaged to ‘New South Wales’ in ‘New Holland’ – the original name of what is now Australia.
It was on this 1795 voyage to New South Wales that Matthew Flinders displayed noticeable promise and skill as a cartographer (e.g. Map-maker) and a navigator.
By 1798 ‘Flinders’ had been promoted to Lieutenant, and subsequently given command of his very first ship.
In 1801 ‘Flinders’ was specifically singled out to command a 334 ton ship called the ‘Investigator’, that was commissioned for the specific purpose of conducting an expedition to ‘chart’ (i.e. map-out) the entire coastline of ‘New Holland’ (the name given to Australia at that time).
(image courtesy of the Museum of Australian Democracy)
Before setting sail, Flinders married his childhood sweetheart ‘Ann’ – who he wanted to take with him on the trip, but the Admiralty would not allow it.
However, Flinders was pleased that he was given permission to take his beloved ‘ships-cat’ Trim with him on the voyage. He absolutely adored Trim who had been on voyages with him since 1799 – and who he looked upon as being a loyal faithful companion.
Previous explorers had already reached and discovered certain areas of Australia – in fact the Dutch had already charted the North/West & South coasts back I the 17th Century – however, no one was really sure how big the country was, so it was all a bit of guess work –n for example, the early Dutch maps had Tasmania (then called Van Diemen’s Land) as part of the mainland.
However, the Investigator’s mission, under ‘Flinders’ command, was to sail all the round the continent – mapping it out as he went – which he did, and thus becoming the very ever person to actually circumnavigate the continent – and in doing so he dispelled a number of common myths, including the fact that ‘Van Diemen’s Land’ (e.g. Tasmania) was actually an ‘island’ situated off the southern coast.
Throughout his correspondence back and fort with the Admiralty during this expedition – Captain Flinders always referred to this new land as “Terra Australis” which is Latin for “unknown land of the south” – and upon his eventual return to Britain in 1810, he had abbreviated this naming of the land to ‘Australia’ – and this term was then picked up on and used often by the ‘powers that be’.
Arriving back in Britain in 1810, Captain Matthew Flinders was unfortunately not a well man – however, he did manage to write a book all about his adventures circumnavigating Australia, which was titled “A Voyage to Terra Australis” .
Very sadly, Captain Matthew Flinders died on the 18 July 1814 at the very young age of 40 – ironically, the very day before his book was published – and so he did not live long enough to see his book become a massive seller over the subsequent years, or get to see what an influence it had on future operations involving Australia.
Also – and probably more importantly, Flinders did not live to see his “Terra Australis” become officially named by the British Admiralty as “Australia” in 1824 – the abbreviated term that he had always used for the continent.
Captain Matthew Flinders left a massive legacy in relation to his connection to Australia’s history – as his name is now associated with hundreds of places throughout the continent – Flinders Island – Flinders Ranges – Finders Bay – Flinders Peak – Flinders University – many Flinders Street(s) – to name but a few.
The ‘Flinders’ family legacy doesn’t just end there – his only daughter Anne had a son named “William Matthew Flinders Petrie” (b 1853 – d 1942) – who went on to become one of the world’s leading ‘Egyptologists’ and Egyptian explorers. Flinders grandson was always known as ‘Flinders Petrie’ and today his museum of Egyptology proudly stands within the grounds of London’s ‘University College of London’ located very near Euston Station.
So – armed with all this info about old Matthew Flinders – the quest for London Shoes was to see if I could seek out any historic landmarks or commemorations there may be in the ‘smoke’ that acknowledge the achievements and importance of Captain Matthew Flinders, in terms of London and Britain’s history – and this is what I found:-
No. 52 Fitzroy Street – W1:
This small street that leads into the beautiful Fitzroy Square was once the London home of Captain Matthew Flinders – and today a blue plaque displayed on an external wall o9f the building commemorates the fact that he once lived there.
Euston Station:
On the 200th anniversary of Captain Matthew Flinders death – a statue of Flinders (and his beloved cat ‘Trim’), was unveiled at London’s ‘Australia House’ by Prince William. The statue was later moved and is now on display outside the main entrances to Euston Station
The HS2 London to Birmingham Train Project:
The construction site for the new high speed rail link project, completely dominates the streets surrounding Euston Station. It is a totally chaotic nightmare – and there are security measures in place wherever you go – and I found myself being constantly stopped, questioned and told to ‘move along’ whenever I tried to get ‘close-up & personal’ to the actual excavation site where Flinders remains were discovered – However, I did manage to snap a photo of the site (well, the tent that covers it).
Petrie Flinders Museum of Egyptology:
The museum set-up by Petrie Flinders – grandson of Captain Matthew Flinders, and at one time, one of the world’s leading Egyptologists.
So – after all that exploring malarkey, in what was freezing conditions – I was in desperate need of some warmth and a ‘cheeky’ liquid refreshment – and so I stumbled upon the ‘Crown & Anchor’ a gastro type pub in Drummond Street, just 2 mins walk from the hustle, bustle and chaos of Euston Station.
The pub building was built in 1825 and today is Grade II listed – and although it is quite evident that this boozer has been extensively modernized with settee’s and wooden effect tables etc – it does serve up a lovely clean and fresh ‘cheeky’ one – and is the sort of pub that I would classify as being ‘an oasis of tranquility in a desert storm’ and well worth a visit if you ever find yourself in the area.
Returning to the discovery of the remains of Captain Matthew Flinders – excavators and archeologists were able to confirm their identity simply because a lead name plate had obviously been attached to his coffin – which is unusual because name plates of this sort were usually made out of tin in those times – and tin is perishable.
Archeologists are now looking to examine and study Flinders remains – to establish whether his time spent at sea contributed to his ill health. However, in the long term – the authorities in Lincolnshire are pressing for his remains to be returned to Donnington, the town of his birth – so that he can be left to rest in peace there.
Hope you enjoyed this currently topical story, about a man from Lincolnshire who clearly played such a big part in world history – and for me also, I feel it is a fitting topic to be the first full posting onto the newly created “London Shoes – Blog” Facebook page.
A portrait of ‘Captain Matthew Flinders’ whilst in service to the Royal Navy – (Image courtesy of Wikimedia)
An image of the ‘Investigator’ ship – Captained by Matthew Flinders for the purpose of ‘charting’ Australia – (image courtesy of the Museum of Australian Democracy)
Me – outside one of the main entrance to London’s Euston Station
The closest I could get to the huge tent that covers up the excavation site of the burial ground next to Euston Station
The lead inscription plaque found with the remains of Captain Matthew Flanders – during the excavation work currently being undertaken around Euston Station – in prep for the HS2 rail network.
The Captain Matthew Flinders commemorative statue – outside the main entrance to Euston Station-London
A close-up of Captain Matthew Flinders from his commemorative statue – outside the main entrance to Euston Station-London
A close-up of the Captain Matthew Flinders commemorative statue’s ‘inscription’ – outside the main entrance to Euston Station-London
A close-up of the Captain Matthew Flinders commemorative statue – outside the main entrance to Euston Station-London
The Captain Matthew Flinders commemorative statue – outside the main entrance to Euston Station-London
“Trim” the cats – Flinders faithfull traveling companion, particularly on the ‘Investigation’ expedition
The Captain Matthew Flinders commemorative statue & particularly a closer view of his faithful travelling companion ‘Trim’ the cat – Outside the main entrance to Euston Station-London
The Captain Matthew Flinders commemorative statue – outside the main entrance to Euston Station-Londn
Me & Capt Matthew Flinders – Euston Station
Platform 15 at Euston Station. Archeologists believed that Cpt Matthew Flinders grave was situated somewhere under this particular platform – but obviously, the recent ‘findings’ in the street next to the station – have proved otherwise.
Fitzroy Street-London W1 – the street where Cpt Matthew Flinders and his family once lived.
52 Fitzroy Street – London W1 – once the home of Cpt Matthew Flinders – (you can just about see the blue plaque commemorating his residency there)
No. 52 Fitzroy Street – W1 This small street that leads into the beautiful Fitzroy Square was once the London home of Captain Matthew Flinders – and today a blue plaque displayed on an external wall o9f the building commemorates the fact that he once lived there.
A close-up of the blue plaque at 52 Fitzroy Street – commemorating the fact that it was once Cpt Matthew Flanders London home.
Fitzroy Square – London W1. Cpt Matthew Flinders London home was in Fitzroy Street located within the Square
Beautiful Fitzroy Square – London W1. Cpt Matthew Flinders London home was in Fitzroy Street located within the Square
Views of the magnificent Fitzroy Square – W1
Me – in Fitzroy Square – W1 – with the BT Tower in the background
Capt Matthew Flinders grandson “William Matthew Flinders Petrie” (b 1853 – d 1942) – who went on to become one of the world’s leading ‘Egyptologists’ and Egyptian explorers. (image courtesy of news world encyclopedia)
The ‘Flinders’ family legacy doesn’t just end there – Cpt Matthew Flinders daughter Anne had a son named “William Matthew Flinders Petrie” (b 1853 – d 1942) – who went on to become one of the world’s leading ‘Egyptologists’ and Egyptian explorers. Flinders grandson was always known as ‘Flinders Petrie’ and today his museum of Egyptology proudly stands within the grounds of London’s ‘University College of London’ located very near Euston Station
Entrance to the ‘Petrie Museum’ – on the campus of the UCL – ‘Flinders Petrie’ being the grandson of “Cpt Matthew Flinders”
The ‘Pretrie Museum of Egyptology’ located on the campus of the UCL nr Euston Station
The ‘Crown & Anchor’ pub – a gastro type pub in Drummond Street, just 2 mins walk from the hustle, bustle and chaos of Euston Station. The pub building was built in 1825 and today is Grade II listed
Me – outside the ‘Crown & Anchor’ pub – Drummond Street – just 2 mins walk from Euston Station
Neckin’ down a refreshing ‘cheeky’ beer at the ‘Crown & Anchor’ pub in Drummond St nr Euston Station
Very interesting and right up my street Geoff. He would have been much more peaceful buried at sea!!
Fantastic read
People like Flinders are part of the jig-saw puzzle of our great British history. Not as famous as Captain Cook but his name was given to the mountains in Australia. He achieved a lot in his 40 years. I love to read about the pioneers and wonder what they would make of life today.
Thank you! I have learned an awful lot about Matthew Flinders. Fascinated by his explorations with Trim. ❤
Having read as a Lincolnshire ‘local’ several books about Flinders I realised how much our class system denied Flinders the kudos due to him, even denying him his new wife’s company on a long voyage because she was found in his cabin without her bonnet on when he was showing her round the ship before sailing. Removing her bonnet was regarded as taking too much of a liberty! So Flinders had to make do with Trim for company instead. His later imprisonment on Mauritius by the French for over 6 years when he was heading home must have been particularly painful for him and his wife, no doubt contributing to his poor health.
From wikipedia: Flinders was involved in several voyages of discovery between 1791 and 1803, the most famous of which are the circumnavigation around Australia and an earlier expedition where he and George Bass confirmed that Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) was an island.
While returning to England in 1803, Flinders was arrested by the French governor at Isle de France (Mauritius). Although Britain and France were at war, Flinders thought the scientific nature of his work would ensure safe passage, but he remained under arrest for more than six years. In captivity, he recorded details of his voyages for future publication, and put forward his rationale for naming the new continent ‘Australia’, as an umbrella term for New Holland and New South Wales – a suggestion taken up later by Governor Macquarie.
Flinders’ health had suffered, however, and although he returned to England in 1810, he did not live to see the success of his widely praised book and atlas, A Voyage to Terra Australis.
Fascinating incite into Matthew Flinders – thank you Joan. I am sure that future readers of this particular blog on my London Shoes website, will find your reference interesting.
Thank you…..GEOFF (LONDON SHOES)