HMS Lady Nelson (1798) - Exploration of The Victorian Coast

Exploration of The Victorian Coast

In 1800, Lieutenant James Grant RN was the first known explorer to pass through Bass Strait from west to east. He was also the first to see, and crudely chart, the south coast from Cape Banks in South Australia to Wilsons Promontory in Victoria. Grant gave the name "Governor King's Bay" to the body of water between Cape Otway and Wilson's Promontory, but did not venture in and discover Port Phillip.

Grant named Cape Schank, Mount Gambier, Cape Northumberland, Cape Banks, Cape Bridgewater, Mount Schank, Lady Julia Percy Island, Portland Bay, Point Danger and Cape Otway along the southern coast. After arriving in Sydney on 16 December 1800, Grant was ordered by Governor King to take cartographer Francis Barrallier to chart the southern coastline to protect it against claims by the French. Grant sailed on 8 March 1801, with John Murray aboard as first mate, and en route explored Jervis Bay, where he was able to befriend some aborigines. But when he discovered that they practised cannibalism, he set sail again. Grant surveyed as far as Westernport. However, her most famous southern voyage was in early 1802 when John Murray, having been given command of the Lady Nelson, discovered the entrance to Port Phillip. On the same voyage he also surveyed King Island (which he later named after the Governor of New South Wales). He did not name the Kent Group; Matthew Flinders named them in 1800.

In 1801 she came under the command of Jonathan Murray. Later she was under George Courtoys and then James Symons.