Matthew Friend

Background

The son of John Friend of Ramsgate and Mary Curling of the Isle of Thanet.

Career

He joined the Royal Navy as a Midshipman in July 1806 and was promoted to Lieutenant in February 1815. At the end of the Napoleonic Wars he was put on half pay. Friend then pursued scientific interests and was made a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1820.

In 1829 Friend sailed with his family as captain of the Wanstead and arrived in Hobart Town in 1830.

Friend was also at the centre of cultural and scientific life in the colony. He lectured on natural history, helped organise the first Tamar Regatta in 1830, and assisted greatly with the Launceston Horticultural Society and the local committee of the Hobart Town Launceston and Portuguese Phillip Steam Ship Company.

During his last years he continued his interest in nautical science inventing an Indicator Compass and the Pelorus for measuring the local magnetism in iron ships.

Achievements

• Friend was involved in controversy relating to his appointment as Portuguese Officer, and eventually won a libel action.

Membership

Royal Society]

Foreign various reasons Friend was obliged to return to England, but arrived back in Van Diemen’s Land in 1832 with other members of his family, this time on the Norval.

Connections

Friend:

Portuguese Officer