OBJECT TITLE / NAME

The Lady Nelson in the Thames

DATE1800 to 1820

MEDIAImage

COLLECTIONMornington and District Historical Society

REG NO.1462

HISTORY

There was a burst of maritime exploration in Bass Strait in the early years of the 19th century following the discovery of Western Port, which had been the most westerly discovery of George Bass in 1798. The first of these explorers was Lieutenant James Grant who left England in Lady Nelson in January 1800 with a crew of fifteen men , his ship provisioned for nine months, bound for New South Wales. Grant was instructed by the Admiralty to examine the straits between Van Diemen’s Land and New Holland, as the western part of Australia was known. Then to proceed to the discovery and survey of the unknown parts of the coast of New Holland. He was to report to the Governor of New South Wales and place himself under his direction. Grant’s ship Lady Nelson of sixty tons burden, was an unusual vessel destined to play a major part in the exploration of the coasts of southern Victoria. This ship had a new invention called a Sliding Keel.

DESCRIPTION

This is an image of a sailing ship. It appears to be under full sail. There is a small boat being towed behind. The sea shore can be seen with a windmill on either side of the ship.

SUBJECTS

Exploration, Explorers, Ships

KEYWORDS

Bass Straight, Exploration, Explorers, Grant, James, Ships