Who is Trim?

Trim the Cat was Matthew Flinders most loyal companion on board his voyages. Trim was born at sea on HMS Reliance in 1797 during a voyage to Capetown to obtain livestock for the new settlement of Sydney. He was then adopted by Flinders and sailed with him on his early surveying voyages, and also on his return voyage to England in 1800. Trim circumnavigated Australia in HMS Investigator and survived the shipwreck of the Porpoise on Wreck Reef in 1803. He was with Flinders on the Cumberland when the French detained it at Mauritius. Here he shared his master's captivity until, as Flinders believed, he was stolen and eaten by hungry slaves.

Courtesy State Library of New South Wales 2001

Who is Albert’s Legs?
Albert is one of the crew, he lost his legs above the knee in an accident in his first year at university. Now Albert has a set of false (prothesis) legs. These are a little cumbersome but he manages to fit them onto his body and walk like everyone else.

However when Albert goes to sea he takes his legs off and as we know legs like walking everywhere and they end up all over the boat and the crew has a hard time keeping track of them. They are seen on the bunks, flopping on the sails in the sail loft, fishing off the stern of the boat and anywhere they can lying down and rest.

Where’s Trim & Albert’s Legs?

The crew hope to be at sea for around 6 weeks in their attempt to break the non-stop circumnavigation record around Australia.

During this time, Trim the Cat will be up to all sorts of mischief with Albert’s legs and they could be anywhere. However once a week, Trim and Albert’s Legs will be in the same spot on the boat. You and your school have the opportunity to ‘tip’ where Trim and Albert’s Legs might be every Friday for six weeks during the voyage. If you tip the correct locations then your school goes into the draw to win a computer.

For some hints of locations on the board, read the section about the Yacht.