Chapter XX.
Steam to Australia.—Sophia Jane, first steamer from Great Britain to Australia, 1831.—The steamship Great Britain sails for Melbourne, 1852.—Sketch of her after career.—The Golden Age.—The auxiliary screw steamer Royal Charter.—Sails on her maiden voyage, 1856.—Totally lost, 1859.
The first voyage by a steamer ever made between Great Britain and Australia was in 1831 by the Sophia Jane, a small vessel of 256 tons burthen and 50 h.p. (see reference to this vessel in the History of the Cork Steamship Co., Limited).
Twenty-one years later the owners of the Great Britain, the Liverpool and Australian Steam Navigation Co. (Messrs. Gibbs, Bright & Co., Managers), induced by the great rush of emigrants to the newly discovered Australian goldfields, decided to supplement their “Eagle” Line of Packets by the addition of screw steamers and issued an advertisement as follows:—
“Steam from Liverpool to Australia, forming part of the ‘Eagle’ Line of Packets.
The Great Britain, S.S., 3,500 tons and 500 h.p., B. R. Matthews, E.N., Commander, will be despatched for Melbourne and Sydney, N.S.W., calling at the Cape of Good Hope for coals, water and fresh provisions, on Saturday, 21st August, 1852, at 1 p.m. This magnificent ship, fitted up with every possible convenience, has just performed her trial voyage to New York in the most satisfactory manner.
“Fares:—After Saloon, to Melbourne, 70 guineas and upwards. Five guineas extra to Sydney, N.S.W.
“To Cape of Good Hope, 50 guineas.
“Loading Berth, Wellington Dock.
“Apply to Gibbs, Bright & Co., Liverpool.”