The “Murray.”

Another Adelaide passenger ship belonging to Anderson was the Murray. She was built by Hall, of Aberdeen, in 1861, being the last Orient liner to be built entirely of wood. Her measurements were:—

Registered tonnage903tons.
Length of keel180feet.
Beam33.3 „
Depth20.8 „

She had a long floor with sharp ends, and, whilst fitted with every convenience for passengers, she carried a very large cargo on a very small draught.

The Murray was considered a fast ship, her best day’s run being 325 miles, but I can best show her capabilities as to speed by recalling a race which she sailed with the well-known Blackwall frigate Hotspur.

The two ships, as was usual with passengers on board, had called in at Capetown; and they left Table Bay together. Then with stunsails set alow and aloft they were 11 days in company running down to St. Helena. In 26° N. they again met and were six days in company, finally they made the Channel within a day of each other, the Hotspur leading.

Regarding this race, the late Captain Whall, who was on board the Hotspur, says of the run to St. Helena: “The wind was steady, and the two ships seemed so nearly matched that for hours together our bearings did not alter.”

Under the well-known Captain Legoe, the Murray made the following fine passages out from Plymouth:—