The “Derwent.”

The Derwent was a very up-to-date ship, with numerous innovations. She was built to the specification of Captain Andrew, her first commander, and he overlooked her construction with an eagle eye. Derwent was one of the first ships to cross steel topgallant yards, substitute rigging screws for deadeyes, to have a donkey with winch barrels, etc.

“DERWENT,” off Gravesend.

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“MOUNT STEWART.”

Photo by Captain Schutze, Sydney.

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She sailed on her first voyage on Xmas Eve, 1884, her crew consisting of captain, 3 certificated officers, 8 midshipmen, 12 apprentices, bosun, sailmaker, carpenter, donkeyman and 12 hands in the fo’cs’le. The start was not very propitious. She sailed from Glasgow, dragged her anchors off the Tail of the Bank, and then her crew refused duty. The weather was so bad that she sought shelter at Queenstown, 11 days out from Greenock. Here advantage was taken to prosecute her insubordinate crew, who received sentences of from one to three months’ imprisonment.

The Derwent was never considered a fast ship, but a good sea boat and excellent cargo carrier; nevertheless she made some very good runs, notably:—

Sydney to Lizard	77	days.
Sydney to Penzance	74	„

In 1904 Devitt & Moore sold her to the Norwegians, and she was still afloat when the war broke out, being owned in Larvik.

PASSAGES TO AUSTRALIA UNDER 80 DAYS IN 1884.
Ship	Departure			Crossed Equator		Crossed Meridian Cape		Passed Otway	Destination	Date Arrived		Days Out
Miltiades	Ushant	June	3	June	28	July	18		Melbourne	Aug.	13	71
Sobraon	Plym’th	Sept	29						„	Dec.	13	75
Loch Long	Clyde	June	1						„	Aug.	15	75
Thessalus	Downs	Apl.	11						Sydney	June	27	77
Windsor Castle	Dartm’th	Mar.	26						„	June	12	78
(D. Rose & Co.)
Star of Italy	Gr’v’s’nd	Nov.	27						Melbourne	Feb.	13 ’85	78
Cutty Sark	Channel	June	18						Newcastle	Sept.	5	79
Cimba	Channel	May	30	June	23	July	18		Sydney	Aug.	17	79