One of a collection of photographs donated by Mr J. W. Gliddon and used in his book "Phillip Island in Picture and Story"Photograph of Surgeon George Bass who came ashore on Phillip Island on the morning of January 5th 1798At seven o'clock on the morning of January 5th 1798 the famous British navigator Surgeon George Bass stepped ashore on Phillip Island and became the first known white man ever to do so. He had sailed from Sydney in an open whaleboat with six able seamen. Of this voyage by Bass, Matthew Flinders said, "It had probably no equal in the annals of maritime history."

Black and white portrait of explorer and surgeon George Bass.george bass, bass straight, explorer

Black and white portrait of explorer and surgeon George Bass.george bass, bass straight, explorer

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of a Portrait of Surgeon George Bass seated facing half on with hands crossed at wrist and cane in left hand"Surgeon George Bass". Sailing from Sydney in an open Whale Boat with six chosen seamen. He discovered Phillip Island on January 5th, 1798 at 7 o'clock in the morning.local history, photography, photographs, exploration, maritime, phillip island, george bass, john jenner, bryant west

Article from a collection of newspaper clippings from October 1968 to July 1971Article about the 100yrs celebrations at Phillip Island in November 1968. Account of Back to Phillip Island 100yrs after first sub division of land at Phillip Island. Account of History of Phillip Island from discovery by Surgeon George Bass on January 5, 1979 to 1922. Account of Historical Display in the Cowes Parish Hall.phillip island, back to phillip island celebrations, surgeon george bass

One of a collection of 11 photographs/postcards donated by Meg Davis & Nancy McHaffie from the estate of Brenda Higgins, grand-daughter of JD & Georgianna McHaffieSepia Postcard of the Rhyll Cairn and pump. Plaque commemorating the discovery of Western Port by Bass and visits from other explorers.Cairn & pump Rhyllrhyll cairn, bass memorial cairn rhyll, water pump at rhyll, explorers phillip island, early explorers, surgeon george bass, meg davis, nancy mchaffie, brenda higgins

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of Mr W E Thompson telling the story of the Rhyll Cairn to the gathering at the unveiling in 1923. The Cairn commemorated the discovery of Western Port by Surgeon George Bass on the 4th January 1798 plus other visits paid by Grant, Murray, Baudin and D'Urville in the early 1800's.local history, photography, mr w e thompson, rhyll cairn, phillip islanders, black & white photograph, john jenner, bryant west

One of 23 photographs from the Jessie Smith Collection. Donated by Stan McFee.Black & White photograph of Stone Memorial Cairn with history of the first explorers who landed at Rhyll. Inscription on Cairn reads: To commemorate the discovery of this Port by Surgeon George Bass 4 Jan 1798 and the visits paid by Lieut.James Grant March 1801 Lieut John Murray Dec 1801 The French under Capt. Baudin April 1802 and Capt. D'Urville Nov 1826 also the establishment of a temporary British Settlement (Fort Domanesq) Dec 1826On Back: "Rhyll P.Is"memorial cairn rhyll, explorers phillip island, jessie smith collection, stan mcfee

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandClose up photograph of the Woolamai Granite Tablet on the Cairn at Rhyll.To Commemorate the discovery of this port by Surgeon George Bass, 4 Jan 1798 and the visits paid by Lieut. James Grant, March 1801. Lieut. John Murray, Dec 1801. The French under Capt. Baudin, April 1802 and Capt. D'Urville, Nov. 1826. Also the establishment of a temporary British settlement (Fort Dumaresq) Dec. 1826 local history, photography, tablet on the rhyll cairn, black & white photograph, rhyll cairn, george bass, exploration, john jenner, bryant west

A Plaque was erected on the occassion of the re-enactment. The wording is as follows: "In Recognition of a brave adventure on January 5 1998. Five men: Bern Cuthbertson (skipper), Tom O'Byrne (first mate), Craig Dixon, Rick McMahon and Geoff Zwan, landed in Flinders after 4 weeks at sea having rowed and sailed from Darling Harbour Sydney in the 'Elizabeth', a nine metre whale boat. This voyage re-enacted the discovery and naming of Western Port by Royal Navy Surgeon George Bass and his crew of five in 1798." They rowed an 8.7m long open whale boat some 1930 km from Port Jackson (Sydney).A collection of colour photographs taken at the re-enactment of the landing of George Bass. Showing "Sailors", a Canon, inside the boat, boats on the water and spectators on the foreshore.bass landing re-enactment 1998, george bass, san remo, p & e king