16/06/2026
This week we commemorate the 225th anniversary of FAB Herisson’s journey on what’s now the Swan River.
About François Antoine Boniface Hérisson:
François Herisson was a Sub-lieutenant on 'le Naturaliste' with Captain Hamelin, and Commander Nicolas Baudin in 'le Géographe', in their 1801-1804 expedition to chart Australia’s coastline.
He commanded the French boating party of 17 to 22 June 1801 that first accurately charted the "Riviére de Cygnes" as far as was 'navigable', up around Gnangarra Road in Upper Swan. Bailly the mineralogist accompanied him to assess its natural resources.
Hamelin's instructions were explicit: follow the river as far as they could go in the chaloupe (longboat) and report on its suitability as a possible port of call for European vessels. The greatest care was required in any indigenous contact - on no account were fi****ms to be used.
This trip produced the first reliable chart of the Swan River, now in the Freycinet Collection at our Battye Library, and ultimately led to Stirling’s founding of the Swan River Colony in 1829.
Although he was a capable cartographer, things did not always go well for Heirisson. His official reports and journals were a mess; his lack of deference to authority sometimes led to trouble with senior officers; and his eye for the ladies (or their eyes for him) gave him a ‘reputation’.
Thank to Serge Plat in Nantes we now know a great deal more about him. It's now known when and where he was born and died, that he was married and had a family, his service record, and his career beyond the expedition.
François was born on 14 May 1776, possibly in Madrid, as this was the record on the crew manifest.
At the time of departure on the expedition François would thus have been around 24 years old. He was ranked as an ensign, or junior 'Sub-lieutenant' (not a midshipman as often reported) on 'le Naturaliste'. He may have already been in the Navy half of his life.
He survived the expedition (many crew did not), and later became a distinguished professor of Mathematics in Nantes, and was awarded the Légion d’Honneur.
In many ways almost forgotten by history, Hérisson was a minor player in a major scientific endeavour, yet his actions changed our world.
Everyday those who cross the Causeway near Perth, see his legacy, because Heirisson Island was named after him, following his boat party’s intrepid mission.
Cape Heirisson and Heirisson Flats, at north end of Heirisson Prong at Shark Bay, were also named for him.
Our club was named for the local government ward, named for the Island that was named for the man (even if we all spell it wrong).
It seems he may have no surviving descendants. His surname is French for 'hedgehog', and is now most prevalent in the Sarthe départment of France.
Today we commemorate Hérisson, the other early explorers and pioneers, and all who have gone before us and were the foundation of our future.
