As the greater part of the work done by Flinders on the coasts of Australia was not so much that of making new discoveries, as in correcting those which had been made by others, in laying down exactly the proper longitudes and latitudes, in ascertaining distances, in making soundings, and noting the variations of the compass, the currents, tides, and winds, they are to be studied in his own volumes. There they are invaluable, and in the charts and maps into which they have been introduced. Here it is not necessary to notice these, nor his movements in general, except where he made actual new discoveries of places.

In January, 1801, his commission was signed at the Admiralty, and the sloop Investigator was put under his command at Sheerness. He was promoted to the rank of Commander; twelve six-pounders, with the requisite ammunition, and a chest of fireworks, were put on board. Some of the guns were afterwards removed, and some light carronades, which could be used on deck, were substituted. He was liberally supplied with astronomical and surveying instruments, and books. Many of these latter were furnished by Sir Joseph Banks, and all the charts at the Admiralty relating to Australia and the neighbouring islands were copied for him under the direction of Alexander Dalrymple, the hydrographer, who added such of his works as were appropriate to the voyage. In men and officers he had a complement of eighty-eight.