Almost a French Australia: French-British rivalry in the southern oceans

Public Lecture | Updated 1 decade ago

Images courtesy of Noelene Bloomfield
Noelene Bloomfield and her book, 'Almost a French Australia'

Batavia Lecture Series 2013
Noelene Bloomfield
Research Fellow, The University of Western Australia

Only a historical accident prevented Australia's settlement by the French, who persistently explored this region in fierce rivalry with the British, as both nations attempted to establish trade opportunities above and below the Equator.

In a strategic battle with her perennial rival across the English Channel, France sent numerous scientific and commercial expeditions to the Indian and Pacific Oceans in the 1700s and 1800s, attempting to solve the mysteries of the legendary Terra Australis Incognita, and to locate suitable ports for trade below the Equator. Many French captains, officers, scientists and crew-members died from a variety of illnesses during these voyages and were unable to report their exciting discoveries directly to their King or Emperor. Given the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789 and its subsequent turmoil, this turn of events meant that France was not in a position to develop colonies in the southern oceans for many decades.

Join Noelene Bloomfield as she reveals the French connection to these southern seas.

COST: $12 per person. Includes refreshments after the lecture
BOOKINGS (Maritime): Essential on 9431 8455. Please RSVP by 5.00pm, Wednesday 20 March
BOOKINGS (Albany): (08) 9841 4844 or albany@museum.wa.gov.au