Dictionary of Sydney

The Dictionary of Sydney was archived in 2021.

Trim

Matthew Flinders' cat, who accompanied the navigator on his voyages to Australia and Mauritius. During the circumnavigation of Australia in 1801-03, Flinders' noted his feline companion formed a bond with fellow shipmate and Garigal man, Bungaree. After departing for England aboard HMS Porpoise, the ship wrecked off the Wreck Reefs and the crew survived aboard a cutter and sailed back to Sydney. On his way back to England again, Flinders was arrested and imprisoned by French authorities in Mauritius. During his imprisonment a French woman offered to care for Trim. Within two weeks, a public gazette declared Trim had been lost. Flinders' tribute described him as 'the best and most illustrious of his Race, the most affectionate of friends, faithful of servants, and best of creatures.'

Milestone
Born
HMS Reliance
1799
Arrived Sydney
HMS Investigator
09 May 1802
Departed Sydney
HMS Investigator
22 Jul 1802
Arrived Sydney
HMS Investigator
09 Jun 1803
Departed Sydney
HMS Porpoise
10 Aug 1803
Property
Owned by
Type