In the Adelaide trade, the beautiful little composite ships of Devitt & Moore rivalled those of the Orient and Elder Lines. Of these little clippers the best known passenger ships were the City of Adelaide and South Australian.
The City of Adelaide was launched in 1864 from Pile’s yard, her measurements being:—
| Registered tonnage | 791 | tons. |
| Length | 176.8 | feet. |
| Breadth | 33.2 | „ |
| Depth | 18.8 | „ |
She was a very fast little ship with a 65-day run from London to Adelaide to her credit.
The South Australian came out in 1868, also from Pile’s yard, and measured:—
| Registered tonnage | 1040 | tons. |
| Length | 201 | feet. |
| Breadth | 36 | „ |
| Depth | 20.1 | „ |
She had a poop 80 ft. long, and was classed 17 years A1. Though not as fast a ship as the smaller City of Adelaide, she was a very fine sea boat with very comfortable accommodation for first and second class passengers.
She was commanded by Captain David Bruce, who with his three sons was very well known in the Adelaide trade. Old David Bruce was one of the good old breed of sea dog—a sturdy, weather-beaten, grey-whiskered Scot. He always dressed in black broadcloth, topped by a straw hat and puggaree. He possessed a merry wit—also a lame leg, which had been crushed by a run-away cask during a storm. His three sons served their time under him, and the commands of the City of Adelaide and South Australian seem to have been taken in turn by each member of the Bruce family.
“CITY OF ADELAIDE.”
David Bruce, Commander.