A notable return this year to the Australian trade is the wonderful little Cutty Sark, commanded by Captain Moore, this was her first passage to Newcastle, and I believe she was one of the first ships to load wool at Newcastle. In future we shall see her somewhere near the top of every table.
The Samuel Plimsoll did well to the south’ard again, averaging 278 miles for 13 consecutive days, her best day’s work being 337 miles.
The little Salamis made her second appearance in Port Jackson. She arrived on the same day as her composite sister, Thermopylae. Thermopylae, however, had a terrible passage, the worst of her career, being actually 107 days from the Start. Held up by continual gales, she did not cross the equator until her 45th day out, 8th March, the day Salamis passed the Cape Verde. She crossed the Cape meridian on 7th April, six days before Salamis, and passed the Otway on 5th May, only one day ahead of Salamis, so Salamis had been closing steadily on her the whole passage.
Dharwar arrived with 414 emigrants, and had measles and fever on board so had to go into quarantine.
The Candida hailed from Liverpool, a 1200-ton iron clipper. She brought out 35 passengers and a general cargo from London.
Mermerus had now made 12 consecutive passages to Melbourne, averaging 78 days. Her best runs this passage were 311 and 314 miles.
Ben Cruachan and Ben Voirlich made passages of 85 and 87 days respectively. Ben Cruachan certainly must have been severely handicapped by a foul bottom, as I find this was the third voyage since she had been docked!
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.
