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Prior to 1798, it was unknown if Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) was joined to the mainland of Australia, or if it was an island.
In 1797 George Bass made an expedition to the south coast of Australia, reaching as far as Westernport. His observations indicated the strong possibility that there was a strait between the mainland and Tasmania.
In 1798, Governor Hunter in Sydney commissioned Matthew Flinders and George Bass to return to Tasmania in the sloop Norfolkand attempt the first detailed survey of Tasmania, and hopefully to circumnavigate it.
The voyage was a success and proved both that Tasmania was an island, and the existence of the strait - which was subsequently named for Bass.
This knowledge had the added benefit that a ship using Bass Strait rather than sailing under the southern tip of Tasmania could cut a week off the journey time between Europe and Sydney.
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How did Matthew Flinders prove that Tasmania was an island?
Matthew Flinders and George Bass sailed across the top of Tasmania
When did Bass and Flinders prove that Tasmania was an island?
Matthew Flinders and George Bass circumnavigated Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania) in 1798, thus proving it was an island.
What did Matthew Flinders want to prove?
Matthew Flinders wanted to help George Bass prove that Van Diemen's land (Tasmania) was an island, and not joined to the Australian continent.
What explorer circumnavigated Tasmania with Matthew Flinders?
Matthew Flinders circumnavigated Tasmania with George Bass.
Did Matthew Flinders prove that Tasmania is a continent?
No - because Tasmania is not a continent. Matthew Flinders, together with George Bass, determined that Tasmania (then known as Van Diemen's Land) was an island, and quite separate from the Australian mainland. Prior to this, sailors and explorers all believed that there was no sea passage between Tasmania and the rest of Australia.
Are Flinders Island and Tasmania Island the same thing?
No. Flinders Island lies in Bass Strait, between the island state of Tasmania and the Australian mainland.
What did George Bass do after the circumnavigation of Tasmania?
Report back to Capt Flinders.
Who proved Tasmania was a island in 1798?
Matthew Flinders and George Bass
When was Tasmania declared an Island?
Tasmania, then Van Diemen's Land, was proven to be an island following the journey of George Bass and Matthew Flinders. Bass and Flinders circumnavigated Van Diemen's Land in 1798-99, completing their journey on 7 January 1799.
What is the name of Matthew flinders ship name?
The ship in which Flinders circumnavigated Australia was named Investigator.Prior to this Matthew Flinders, together with George Bass, circumnavigated Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) in the Norfolk.
Did George Bass discover Bass Strait?
Yes. George Bass, together with Matthew Flinders, proved that Tasmania (then Van Diemen's Land) was an island, and not connected to the Australian mainland. Because it was his initiative that led to the expedition being organised, the strait of water Bass and Flinders discovered between the mainland and Tasmania bears the name of Bass Strait.
Where did Matthew Flinder explore?
Matthew Flinders circumnavigated the entire continent of Australia, and was with George Bass when the discovery was made that Tasmania was a separate island.
