//. ^

u a<3s

If

J'our'nal of ^ i^ay'dpe. Trom
i-o 0 0*0 /I to '^ort 'Phillip

Loyido><i, IS S3-

"I give tkeft Bools
tfor the founding of a. College in this ColonyV

JOURNAL OF A VOYAG£

LONDON TO PORT PHILLIP,

IN the'austbalian eoyal mail steam navigation
company's ship

'AUSTRALIAN,

Being tie First Voyage by Steam letwien England and tlit
Aiistralian Colcmei ;

CONTAINING SOME USEFUL HINTS TO INTfeNDlNG
EMIGRANTS.

BY H, LUCAS.
ioNDON :
CLARKE, BEETON & GO,, 148, PLEET STREET,

(.PRICE BIXPEKCB.3

JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE

LONDON TO PORT PHILLIP.

in the australian eoyal mail steam navigation
company's ship

'AUSTRALIAN,'

Eeinci the First Voyage by Steam between England a/ad the Australian
Colonies ;

CONTAINING SOME USEFUL HINTS TO INTENDING
EMIGRANTS.

BY H. LUCAS,

LONDON :
CLARKE, BEETON, & CO., 148, FLEET STREET.
1853. \

RULES ISSUED BY THE AUSTEALUN ROYAL MAIL STEAM PACKET COMPANY.

¦*rhe rates of passage from England to Australia, includini? provisions of the best kind, are as fallows :— First Cabin, 80 guineas ; Second Cabinf,
40 guineas ; Third Cabin, 25 guineas ; or if the Company provide wine, beer, and spirits, the rates will be 100, 6o, and 30 guineas respectively.

Any first class passenger wishing to have a state-room to himself, will be charged 50 per cent, cm the above rate.
for each iirst class, and half-a-guinea for each second class-passenger,

Steward's fee—one guinea

To the First Claas passengers there will be no restriction in the supply of provisions; they will be of the best quality, and will include an
abundance of live stock, preserved provisions, and such other delicacies as will furnish a first-rate table ; except wines, spirits, malt liquors,
and mineral waters, which will be provided at moderate prices. All cabin requisites, including beds, bedcUng, and linen, will be supplied.

DIETARY
SCALE
FOR THE SECOND
CABIN.
BAYS.
.4
1
Preserved Meats or Soup Bouilli.
gi
Ph
i
i
1
1
1
1^
^
1 o
U
i
CO
i
o
s
1
u
ii
1
i
•3 s
"S
o
13
-a i
1
lb.
lb.
lb.
lb.
oz.
~"~
Sunday 
•¦
S
*
li
i
Monday ....
i
"
i
15
._
1
Tuesday ....
i"
1
¦¦
15
^'¦
t4
¦¦
^
>1
_e^
14
i
!¦
A
>t
1^
i-^s
Wednesday..
1
¦
¦¦
i
s
1
i
¦¦
1
-1
$
$
li
••
?
%
M£
1 s. 1
ao
a
o
Thursday....
4 ¦¦
s
^
i
-4*
j3
^^
^
14
i
^
?
£
a §:t
a
E3
Friday 
••
i
,.
14
..
i
Saturday ....
1
••
i ..
14
i
1
All Cabin Requisites, except Beds, Bedding, and Linen, will be supplied.
It is to be uiiderat -,jd that the Stores are laid in for the Voyage by the above scale, and tliat the several quamitica marked therein nill bc catefnliy
weighed out to the Steward, who will supply therewith a suitable trtble, after the manner of the Cuddy arrangemcaU in sailing vessels ; all
Secpud Class passenp^eis messing at the sa^ *s\%ble.
DIETARY SCALE POR T.H E THIRD CABIN.

Sanday  ^
Monday  ^
Tu-sday  ,  g
Wednesday  ^
Thursday 
Friday  ,  j £
Saturday  -A *^

pint 4

M

¦a

a

"S

_^_
o
h
Third -Claias passengers will have to provide themselves "with beds, bedding, and towels; as also a knife and fork each, one tablespoon^ oiie
teaspoon, one tin plate, one drinking can, one tin quart and pint pot, and a keg or can for holding water.
Wheji raw potatoes' are on board, they will be served out in lieu of preserved, one pound of the Ibtter being equal to seven pounds of the former.
Rice may be" served out as a substitute for potatoes, or when they are expended; one pound of rice being equal to three pounds of potatoes.
Coffee or cocoa may be substituted for tea.
When fresh beef is issued, one pound to each adult per day will be allowed. There will be no rice, raisins, currants, peas, pickles, or vinegar,
during the issue of fresh meat. Salt fish will be substituted on Fridays, if reqmred, in place of meat.
'J!pR quantity of water allowed to each passenger (adult) is three quarts per day.
Children under twelve years of age one-half the above allowances. Infants under one year to have one quart of water daily, but no rations.
It wUt be at the discretion of the surgeon to issue three times a week, to children under seven, four ounces of rice in lieu of salt meat.
Nobertb will be considered as engaged until the passage-money is paid; and no passengers will be allowed to embark until their passage-money
. and extra luggage charge has been settled, the receipt for Svhicn milat be produced to the proper ofiBcer on board.
TKfeTiVrtliB firg appropriated in rotation as the passage-monejr U paid, and passengers', gencirally, will be expected to c6nforiti, duting the voyagfij to
such rules and regulations as may be adopted by direction of the captain, for the purpose of promoting the health, harmony, and wwl-being
of all on boardr
PASSENGERS' FARES.

DESTINATIONS.

TO

LONDON.

St.VINCENT

TAPP OI? 1 KING

ADELAIDE.

PT.PHILLIP

SYDNEY.

VBOU.
LONDON 

1st. 2nd
clss. clss.

3rd
clss.

1st
clss.

2nd
clss.

3rd
clss.

1st
clss.

2nd
clss.

3rd ' Ist
clss. clss.

2nd
clss.

Srd
clss.

1st
clss.

2nd
clss.

3rd
clss.

1st
clss.

2nd
clss.

3rd
clss.

1st
cks.

2nd
clss.

Srd
clss.

Gs.

Gs. 20 30
40 404040

Gs 10 17
25 252625

Gs. 354070707070

Gs. 20224040
4040

Gs. 1010
20202020

Gs. 5040 5555 55
55

Gs. 30
22 30303030

Gs. 1910 15

Gs. 80
7055

Gs. 404030 1215
20

Gs. 2520 IS 68
10

Os. SO
7095
20 10
20

Gs. 404030 12 6
12

Gs. 25
20 JS 63
6

Gs. 80
7065
25 10
15

Gs. 40
4030 15 6
8

Gs. Gs.
25 80
20 70
15 S5
8 30
3 20

Gs. 40
403020 12 8

Gs. 25
20 16
10 6
5

ST. VINCENT 

36 50
80 SO8080

CAPE OP GOOD HOPE 
KING GEOEGE'S SOUND ..
ADELAIDE 

PORT PHILLIP 

16 "'

SYDNEY 

16

30

5

N.B.— The Return Farea will be 10 per cent, above these Rates.

REGULATIONS,

I . The captains are required to avoid all preference or partiality in any
respect in favour of one passenger over another on both the Company's ships. .
2. No passenger bookingfor a double cabin berth,in Erst or second cabin,
is to be accommodated in a cabin by himself, so long as he can be placed in
a cabin of the same class with another passenger, booked for a double cabin
terth- 3. Whenever there may be more passengers than can be accommodated
with first cabin berths, and who may, in consequence, be obliged to sleep in
the cots, or otherwise not in any cabin, an abatement of £5 from the lowest
first cabin rate will be made upon such occasions, but no passengers will
be allowed this abatement so long as there is a cabin bed berth nnocoupied.
4. Although ladies may have sleeping berths allotted to them in the ladies'
saloon, yet it is to be open for the use of all the ladies in the first cabin,
between 9 a.m., and 9 p.m. every day.
5. Children of cabin passengers, under two years of age, carried free of
charge ; above two years, and under eight years, to pay one-fourth the cabin ,
passage rate paid by their parents ; above eight years, and nnder twelve
years, to pay one-half ditto, but not entitled to a separate cabin,
6. Passengers' female servants will be charged one-half of first cabin ..
fare, and no abatement to be made on account of age. Men servants will ,
be berthed In the fore part of the ship.
V- An abatement of one-sixth of the established rate is to be made in
favour of families in the first and second cabins, but only in cases where the
amount of passage-money (if charged in full for the whole party) would be
equal to the full charge for four adult passengers. The term family is only
io comprehend parents, their children, and their servants.

8
8. Passengers not proceeding after taking their passage, to forfeit half
the passage money.
9. Merchandise cannpt be carried under the name of luggage. All
specie, bullion, or other treasure, must be declared by passengers previously
to embarkation, and any sum aboveL£l,5D will be charged for at the estab
lished rates of freight.
10. The Company does not hold itself liable for any loss passengers may
sustain by detention on the voyage, or delays arising from accidents.
11. Passengers to or from Australia are always to have priority of choice
of cabins over passengers to intermediate places, whether previously booked
or not. This is not, however, to extend to the displacing of any passenger
to an intermediate place, while any other cabin berth of similar description is
vacant. 12. Should any Outward oh Homeward-bound Passenger, who was
originally booked for a fore cabin, shift to an after cabin^ or from a double
to a single cabin, he is to be charged the superior fare throughout',
13, Passengers are not allowed to take on board wines, spirits, or other
liquors, for use during the voyage, an ample stock thereof being provided on
board at moderate prices.
14. All baggage, except carpet-bags and hat-boxes, mnst be shipped the
day previous to sailing, after which no heavy baggage will' be received on
board. 16. Passengers in the first cabin will be allowed tp take thirty cubic feet
luggage, or 10 owt ; second cabin, twenty feet, or 7 cwt. ; third cabin, ten
feet( or 6 cwt. ; any additional will be charged at the rate of three shiUings
per cubic foot.
16, All packages of baggage to be marked with the name of the pas
senger, a^id also with the words ' Wanted on the Voyage,' or 'Not wanted
on the Voyage,' and must be in the .dock, ready for shipqagat, at l^a;st.two
days prior to sailing.
17. The Company does not hold itself responsible for any loss, damage, or
detention of luggage, under any circumstances.

INTRODUCTION.

To such of my readers as have performed a sea voyage, the
minute detail which they will here meet with may be superfluous.
But as the excitement which the gold fields of Australia has
caused in the public mind is likely to induce many to emigrate
who have never yet so much as seen a ship or a dock, I shall
note every circumstance in connection with the voyage, both
before and after embarkation, that is likely to prove instructive
to such thorough landsmen.
And first I wiU speak of luggage. I do advise that you will
either see it on board, or obtain a receipt for it from the clerk of
the dock stores.
With the ' Australian Steam Navigation Company ' this
advice to emigrants appears doubly essential, as an order from
the London Agent is required before the wharfinger will give a
receipt; and this being an extraordinary proceeding, is likely to
be omitted by the carriers employed by your tradespeople.

JOURNAL
ov A
VOYAGE FROM LONDON TO PORT PHILLIP.

May 2Bth. Although mail packets seldom fail to make their final depar
ture from a British port on the day appointed, it would appear that no reliance
must be placed on any other notice. The ' Australian ' was to leave London
on the 28th, but this arrangement was changed for th» 29th, and ultimately
for the 1st June. These changes had been notified by advertisement in the
Times, but I, not having had an opportunity of seeing this popular mode of
conveying such like intelligence, remained in total ignorance of the fact, to
my considerable loss and discomfort. Of the first change I had been made
acquainted by a casual call at the agent's ; but under supposition that the
vessel would positively leave the docks on the 29th, I brought my wife np
to town on the previous evening, and arranged for others of iny family to
follow us by the first train next morning, all which, 1 need not remark, was
worse than useless.
May 31s;. This afternoon I attended the agent's ofiice to pay for my
' extra luggage,' in compliance with the printed regulations issued by the
London agent. Ship agents, it appears, have peculiar notions of lengthy
breadth, and depth. Their system of measurement is so strongly opposed to
all the rules of plus and minus which I have ever regarded as accurate, that
1 cannot refrain from naming it here. Part of my luggage is a tent, which
It was admitted did not exceed four cubic feet, but the two slight poles be
longing to it being bound np with it, I was charged for a package nine feet
long, two feet wide, and two deep— equal to thirty-six feet. The tent cost
me £4 19s. ; its freight to Port Phillip is £5 8s.
Let the emigrant remember either to have the poles of his tent with joints,
or else packed up separately. '
June 1st. There are moments of our lives which, though they demand
Onr utmost exertion and strength, are generally marked by a full display of
our weakness. Theyare the 'good byes,' the 'farewells,' of our dearest
friends, which the events of time impose upon us, and which, however
favourable the prospects under which such separation may take place, how
ever long and well-prepared the mind may have been for heroism, the heart
Will, unrestrained, pour forth its most secret woes. With the passengers at

12
the ' Australian,' and their friends ou shore, these moments have just passed,
and with, perhaps, as perfect au evidence of their sadness as life can produce.
For nnder what circumstances can separation be attended with greater un
certainty of result ? The shortest period for which we can possibly have
taken leave of our relatives and friends must be sufficient, under ordinary
circumstances, to produce such events as must counteract the utmost advan
tages which our journey can possibly produce, and with how many must the
' farewell ' be for ever I
The consciousness, however, of good intentions, and the solace of hope,
soon restored us to philosophical reflection, and we began to seek those locali
ties iu the vessel which, during the voyage, are to be more particularly our
own — that is to say, our cabins and sleeping berths.
The ' Australian' is a Clyde built ship, just off the stocks ; and though
it was declared by the company's agent in London that she would be in the
East India Docks full six weeks before her departure for the colonies, she
was not visible to the southerns until within a few. days of the 38th, the day
appointed for her leaving. And as it was necessary to insure my passage in
her long before that, I did so (as I believe did every other passenger) withont
having seen the vessel ; and as admittance on board could not be obtained
without an order from the agent, I had but once seen my berth. It was then
a depository for the, ship's, lamps, and, consequently, in a filthy state ; but as
I had no doubt it would be made clean before I should require it, it, gave me
but little concern, but to my astonishment I found it but little changed.
The lamps were not there, but the berth was covered with oil, dirt, and
shavings. The whole place was still in a state of confusion by a crowd of carpent^ra
and others, on deck and below, busily occupied in bringing the vessel to that
state of completion which I certainly expected to find on embarking. It
was therefore irapossible, to find any one to whom I could apply to make my
berth fit for the, reception, of my bedding, and I had tp clean it myself by
scraping it with my knife. Finding my bedding nigh at hand, I placed it
in my berth and again proceeded on deck. At a slow rate we steamed a few
miles down the river and again cast anchor, for the purpose (I believe) of
giving the workmen an opportunity to complete their work before reaching
Plymouth. In a few hours she again got her nose free, and proceeded slowly
on her course,
June 2nd. The banks of the Thames and the southern coast of England "
presenting many familiar and interesting localities to most on board were
gazed on as we passed, with the varied sensations which memory produced,
June Srd. At about nine o'clock this morning we sighted Plymouth. We
entered the harbour without any occurrence worthy of remark, bat on pro
ceeding a little too far before we cast anchor she ran foul of the Millbank
Pier, destroying one corner of the pier and carrying awaythree boats and

13
the iron davits which supported them on her starboard side. Her bulwarks
ou that side were also entirely smashed, and a large hole appeared in her
iron side. A boy, who had been ordered into one of the boats, perceived
that a collision was inevitable, but just in time to escape, aud the spectators
and labourers on the pier had to run for their lives.
Being under engagement to the government, she was immediately received
into the Devonport Dockyard, and every facility was afibrded by the authori
ties to repair her injuries as speedily as possible. The principal damage,
namely, the hole in her side, was discovered to be in the cabin which con
tained my berth, which, with another, was quickly pulled down to enable the
iron workers to eflect the necessary repairs.
June hth, 10 a.m. The very great number of hands which have been
employed day and night about the vessel having eflected every repair neces
sary for her proceeding to sea, the ' Australian ' is once more under weigh.
She has the wind dead in her teeth, but does not evince any disposition to
yield to its opposing force, dashing on at a very creditable speed, though it
cannot be considered that she rides easily. I am surprised to find that a
large portion of her coals are piled up in sacks on deck, so as to leave a very
narrow gangway on either side.
June 6th. The Bay of Biscay and a continued head wind of greater force
than yesterday, is trying the steam power of the ' Australian ' to a pretty
considerable extent, and she. certainly has no cause to be ashamed of her
performance. 1 am compelled to remain below deck, or expose myself with inappropriate
clothing to the rain which is faUing, my boxes not yet having been brought
on deck.
Hitherto there has been no regularity in the service of our meals, but last
evening a printed notice was placed in a conspicuous part of our (second
class) saloon, specifying a time for each meal. But as it had been
discovered that the saloon tables could only accommodate forty-two persons
at one time, and there being seventy-five second class passengers (equal to
seventy, two adults), it was quite evident that we could not all tate our meals
together, and it was ultiraately arranged, by the ship's purser, that the mar
ried passengers and their families should Erst take their meals, and the un
married afterwards. '
The necessity of a party division of some kind being admitted— perhaps no
better arrangement than this could be made. Bat it is a question whether
the fact of taking more passengers than the saloon can accommodate with
out such division, ought not to have been avoided. With a fixed ration of
questionable sufficiency, must not jealousy arise from such an arrangement?
Besides, for how short a portion of the day can it now be appropriated for
reading and writing— an accommodation which, surely, it is not unreason
able to expect ?

14
And here, perhaps, a statement of the dimensions and means of ventilation
of the second class portion of the vessel raay not be inappropriate.
: The second class saloon is 24 feet long, 18 feet wide, and 7 feet high —
being bounded forward by a bulkhead the whole width of the vessel, sepa
rating it from the third class division ; and a bulkhead 10 feet wide aft,
sleeping cabins flanking it on either side. The bulkhead aft is the termina
tion of a range of apartments in the centre of the vessel, including the engine
room, and extends to the first-class saloon— a passage 4 feet wide running.
the distance on each side. Of these given dimensions, however, a portion of
the second-class saloon is appropriated for the use ofthe stewards, consisting.
of fittings for glass, crockery, &c.
, Four narrow openings, each about 1 foot wide and 18 or 20 inches long,
in the deck, on each side of the saloon (when not closed against rough
weather), admit light and air. But these openings, it must be observed, do
not admit the air directly, but only, obliquely from other apertures in certain
buildings called the deck houses, variously appropriated, which occupy the
centre of the deck above. When rough weather requires these to be
fastened, there is positively no means of obtaining fresh air : for the stairs
from the hatchway do not descend into the saloon, bat into one of the passages
above referred to, and can only be serviceable to tbe passengers who happen
to occupy the cabin there situated.
The sleeping cabins are 7 feet broad at bottom, something less at top, 6
feet long, and 6 feet 9 inches medium height. The berths, two on either
side, are 2 feet wide, leaving a space (excepting a portion occupied by a fixed
¦washhand-stand) of 2 feet 10 inches wide, and 6 feet long — that when
lessened by the clothing of the four occupants of the cabin which may be
hanging on its sides, does not leave standing room for so many persons.
There are four small drawers under the lower berths, which, though conve
nient, are quite inadequate to the wants of the passengers. A passage 2 feet
5 inches wide from the saloon to the ship's sides, separates every alternate
cabin. From these passages, doors communicate with the cabins. To each
passage and to each cabin there is a round port of thick glass, about 9 inches
in diameter. These ports, when the weather permits, are kept open during
the day, but are always closed at night.
I cannot give the exact measurement of the accommodations of the first
class; but the cabins are on a similar construction to our own, with the ex
ception of there being but three berths in each, instead of four. The third
class is altogether of cfiSerent construction, being much like the steerage
portion of ordinary vessels, receiving air from two large hatchways. As
regards ventilation, the third class portion has decidedly the preference. Of
the four stewards to the second class passengers, one is incapable of attend
ance from sea-sickness. The rest seem willing to do their utmost to oblige,
but their required labours are more than they can perform, at all event*

under their present undisciplined state, for half their time is taken up
in controversy as to their respective duties, much to the edification of the
passengers. June 1th, We have passed a most uncomfortable night, the vessel pitch
ing and rolling to an extent that rendered sleep impossible. There has been
rather a heavy swell,, and the ' Australian ' received some knocks on her head
and sides that made her long, slight frame quiver like an aspen. But she
has unquestionably a propensity for dipping her nose in the water upon very
sUght occasions, to the frequent engulphing of her decks with tons of water,
apd last night to the carrying away of a portion of her bulwarks on her star
board bow, and a board bearing her name.
By some means or other — most probably the coals which have escaped
fiom some of the sacks on deck— the scupper holes have become choked up,
so that it is long before she frees herself after shipping a sea, to the great
alarm of the passengers, who, hearing the water roU, think it is in the vessel
beneath their feet instead of over their heads.
This morning a slight variation in the wind has enabled us to use a little
canvass. Evening. The weather has continued squally and the sea high, nor has
the rolling of the vessel (which I mainly attribute to the dead weight of
coals and a qiiautity of loose lumber on deck) by any means decreased ; and
there being a quantity of loose luggage in our saloon, the scene of confusion
and devastation is beyond description.
It has been my resolve studiously to avoid all mention of the private acts
of any individual on board ; but when such acts become a general grievance
I must look upon them as no longer private.
JJwfe XlVth of the printed regulations forbids passengers to bring any
luggage on board with them at final embarkation of larger dimensions than
ordinary carpet bags, hat boxes-, &c. Now had this regulation been en
forced, the saloon would not bear the appearance of a common stowage as it
now does, and the danger, which now threatens, of having our limbs broken,
would be avoided. By conforming to that rule lam suffering inconvenience
which many of my fellow-passengers have escaped. But I maintain that the
rule cannot be broken by an individual without annoyance to the rest.
June Sth. Squaelly weather still, with the wind another point in her
favour. We are now making ten clear knots, and certainly with less rolling
and pitching of the vessel. But she is evidently in bad trim — one of the
many evidences which we have that she has been sent to sea in a hurry^
Without those precautionary measures for the comfort of the passengers and
the safety of all on board that is generaUy deemed necessary.
The ill effects of the want of proper ventUation and the scarcity of attend-
aace, is beginning to be seriously felt. The late rough weather has produced

16
much sickness, and as sea-sickness frequeiitty obill^s on too suddenly for the
nvalid to seek a suitable spot, the flooring of his cabin or saloon frequently
receives the contents of his storaach. This cannot be avoided, but surely
some one should be provided to cleanse the place as quickly as possible. And
yet nothing of the kind has been done for the last tW'o days. The night
before last a large pailful of dirty slops, which had been left in the passage
separating my cabin from the watercloset (it being Iny misfortune to be so
situated), upset, and the contents of which are stUl washing about on the
floor of the passage and cabin. 'The stewards declare it is impossible for
them to attend to it, they have not a moment to spare. I asked where I
could get a mop or swab that I might do it myself, but was informed they
were all in use for the chief cabin.
The fastening of the door of one of the waterclosets (that near my berth)
has been broken ever since we have been at sea, and the door opens and shuts
with every roll and counter-roll of the vessel ; but the carpenter has no time
to repair it. Waterclosets below deck are decidedly a great evil, especially
when without an abundant supply of water, which it is our misfortune to
experiencCj the tanks being generally empty. Altogether the stench of the
place is becoming insufferable.
June 9th. Morning. Smoother sea and finer weather, thongh still hazy.
The wind is still dead against us. Our captain has made a visit of inspection
below, and having politely listened to our complaints, special and general,
gave orders for the immediate attention to all remediable grievances.
Noon. Kain again, and, consequently, the passengers' luggage wUl not be
brought on deck.
June 10th. Fine weather and moderate sea, so that we are enabled to have
the port-holes of our cabins open. But for this favourable change, I believe •
sickness would have soon ensued.
Evening. Figuratively or raaterially there has been a screw loose in the
engine to-day, which prevented it working for two or three hours.
The double-meal arrangement was attempted to-day with partial success,
failing only in the hours of appointment. Salt provisions appeared on the
table for the first tirae.
The fine weather has worked wonderful reforms in a sanitary sense, drying
the decks below, aud inducing the passengers to walk above.
Notwithstanding the facilities which fine weather has afforded, no Inggage
has been brought on deok. I have learned that there are others on board
in the same uncertainty as myself, as to whether their luggage is on board,
and, like me, wanting a change of apparel,
June llth. This morning the following notice was placed in onr saloon j 
'Notice:— To Second Saloon passengers. It is particularly requested

17
that the " gentlemen " only of the second class saloon will comply with No. 1
Regulation,* viz., not to come abaft the hatchway, — llth June, 1 852.'
Now to comply with this regulation, the second class passengers would
have to confine themselves to the gangways at the sides of the centre ' deck
houses,' referred to June 6th, page 11, which gangways would be but barely
sufBcient for a promenade, in the most confined sense that that word can
possibly convey, if kept clear, but which in their past and present encum
bered state would not allow us standing room. Besides, how farcical!
Was it supposed that the ladies of the second class passengers would accept
of the proffered liberty under such exclusive circumstances — could they
regard it as anything but an insult ?
The notice was received with a shout of indignation by every gentleman
of the second class, and it was unanimously agreed that their feelings should
be made known to Captain Hoseason, With that urbanity which I have
before had occasion to speak of, Captain Hoseason admitted the justness of
our complaint, and extended the limit of our range to the mizen mast,
which embraces a space with n fixed seat, suitable for the, ladies, without
depriving them of the company of their husbands and friends.
The double meal system has been repeated with improvement, and may
now be considered unfait aeeompli.
June 12th. At length I have gained access to my boxes, aa have the rest
of my fellow-passengers who had not previously done so.
Much of the verbal information afibrded by the agent in London respect
ing matters not touched npon in the printed regulations, though not of that
positive nature which may be regarded as a tenable assertion, wore a colouring
that has greatly deceived the passengers. In no case has this fact been
more conspicuous than in his intimations respecting luggage. ' You will be
admitted to your Inggage twice a-week,' said Jlr. Walton. By which I un
derstood that the passengers' luggage would be kept apart from anything
else in some apartment where frequent and easy access could be obtained,. in
comfort to ourselves and without injury to our property.
But perhaps a sketch of the general scene which the ' AustraUan ' presented
on that occasion may prove amusing, if not instructive.
Soon after breakfast, passengers (first, second and third class) receive
intimation that their luggage wiU be brought on deck from the bold of the
vessel, where it is kept with ship stores and general merchandise — dry goods
and wet goods aU together. The passengers stand by accordingly. A con
siderable portion of the deok round about the hatchway becomes covered
¦with boxes, so closely that but few can obtain standing room on the deck
while they are selecting what they require. Others stand, sit, or lie, as est
* Heferring to certain regulations previously posted in our ealoon,
which had not been acted on.

,18
they can, on the boxes of their neighbours — who, if their politennss restrains
them from remark, express their anxiety for your departure by looks and
gestures of uneasiness. Of course there is nowhere for you to place what
you have taken from your box except upon your person, and as you cannot
possibly hold more than half what you require, you close yoar box aud pro
ceed to your cabin with what you have, intending to return in a few minutes.
You do return — but your box is no longer visible ; a second tier has com
menced. You do not exactly reraeraber the spot which it occupied; and,
while searching for it, your diHioulty is increased by fresh importations. At
last you discover it under a certain box, whose owner is engaged upon it.
You cannot expect hira to cease for your accoraraodation, and you are res
trained to wait till he has finished. But by that time every avenue to your
property is so totally blocked up that you give up all idea of reaching it un
til these obstructions are reraoved by being taken whence they came. You
go to seek another box containing property which youjnuch require. After
waiting patiently till the last box is brought from the hold, altogether about
six hours, without finding what you are searching for, you conclude that it
must have been all the time on deok ; and, as the mass has now become three
tiers deep, your only hope of discovering it is by waiting till they are gra
dually removed below. In course of time it becomes discernible, and you
begin to search for some particular article which you require. But it is at
the bottom of the box, and there is no unoccupied spot where you can place
the top things. You have so disarranged the original placing of your
clothes that you cannot get the lid of your box closed again. At this
agonising moment you turn you head away, and you see yonr other box
^frora which you have not obtained half what you required) being lowered
into the hold in the uncorded and unlocked state in which you left it. You
turn to seek advice from one, from another, frora a third. But all are in a
sirailar state of consternation as yourself; and in despair you sufl'er the
sailors to do what they please with your property on deck, and, having
already lost your lunch, you attend the call of the stewards' bell to dinner,
with such appetite as the adventures of the day may chance to have given yon.
June lith. The evil of the stewards not having any locality for the per
formance of their duties separate and distinct from the passengers' saloon is
becoming more conspicuous every day. By mingling with the passengers,
they, of course, becorae familiar ; and cannot perceive that wrangling among
themselves, or indulgence in low jests (not always confined to themselves) is
annoying to the majority of those who are compelled to hear it. Being ever
present, they witness every movement of the passengers ; and their principal
occupations are in that part of the saloon whieh, in connection with the
peculiar construction of the cabins and other accommodations, render this
circumstance of the utraost annoyance to the ladies, there being neither
stewardess nor ladies' saloon to the second class.

19
At first they took their meals by th'sraselves at a corner of one of tha
tables ; but the family circle is now frequently increased by two or three,
and soraetiraes the whole, of the foUowing officials— viz., steward of the third
class, butcher's mate, knife-cleaner and scullion, scavenger, poultry attendant
(better known as Jemmy Ducks), and two youths, miscalled deck-cleaners.
Oar four stewards have no fixed or regular place for sleeping, but take their
rest in their clothes on the flooring, benches, or tables of the saloon. And
one or two of the other gentry are always disgustingly dirty.
Poor feUows ! they are in no way culpable. Four more obliging or civil
men cannot be, so far as their labours to serve the passengers extend ; but
they are altogether unfit for their situations. Two of them only have been
to sea before, and the duties which they have undertaken are novel to them all.
June 16th. Early this morning we cast anchor in St. Vincent harbour.
We sighted the laud last evening ; but the night being dark, and the en
trance to the bay intricate. Captain Hoseason preferred beating about at sea
till dayUght.
Evening. I have been on shore with several other passengers of the
' Australian.' St. Vincent, I should say, is just about as miserable a settle
raent as this world produces. A single coup d'ceil ftom the vessel :issured
us that no great luxury raight be expected, but we did hope for a meal of
fresh provision. Nothing of the kind, however, could the place afford us —
there did not appear to be such a thing as a four-legged animal in the
island, with the exception of beasts of burden, chiefly mules and donkeys,
and a few goats. Neither could fruit or vegetables of any kind be procured,
nor so much as a mouthful of bread or biscuit. Nearly all the inhabitants
exist upon haricot beans and maize. The few who do occasionally get some
thing else, have it imported at great expense from some other country. The
town consists of a few wretched hovels, the whole population, natives and
Portuguese settlers, not exceeding 600. The coals wich we are taking on
board are all brought from England.
An address to the directors of the Company, drawn up by a Mr. Walters, for
insertion in the Times, coraprising all the grievances which this journal has
recorded and sorae others, has been signed to-day by raost of the second class
passengers. One of the clauses is to the effect that since the cessation of the
issue of fresh meat, our provisions have been deficient in quantity and inferior
in quality. To this I raised an objection, declaring my belief that in quantity
they were equal to the scale presented us by the London agent, and that we
were premature in forming an opinion of their quality. My objection was
overruled, on the ground (which did not appear to rae reasonable) that the
question was not whether the issue was in accordance with any particular
regulation, bnt whether it was what we required.
With the exception of a coraplimentary allusion to Captain Hoseason, which
I contended was uncaUed for at so early a stage of our journey, the othej

20
clauses were, in my estimation, so truthful, and the design so admirable,
that rather than omit placing my signature to them I signed to the whole.
I am happy in being able to report that every one on board is in a perfect
state of health, but, assuredly, this is more attributable to cool breezes, a
cloudy sky, that has greatly softened the power of the sun, now nearly
vertical, and a sea that has enabled us to keep our ports open during the
day, than to any circumstance connected with the construction or manage
ment of the vessel.
June ISth. Still in harbour, I have again been induced to visit the shore
for the sake of a sea bath.*
According to what I gleaned from a native, St. Vincent annuaUy loses a
portion of its inhabitants by fever, the unhealthy season commencing about
the beginning of next month.
June 19th. To my utter astonishment I this morning perceived on deck
the carcass of a bullock, certainly somewhat lean, but, nevertheless, beef ;
and a living animal, also destined for our consumption, was fastened near its
dead brother.
11 a.m. After three clear days and nights in this miserable place we have,
to the delight of every one on board, weighed anchor, and are once more at
sea. The coal nuisance from which the decks have just been cleared, is renewed
in an aggravated forra, the coals being now pUed up without the protection
of sacks ; and in some places they are scattered on the deck the whole width
of the gangway. There are in the ' deck-houses ' two or three openings
with precipitous descents to the engine and fire rooms. To pass these places
while the vessel is rolling about, is somewhat dangerous under any circum
stances ; but with a wide, clear gangway there were chances of saving oneself
by clinging to the bulwarks or rigging. But now, to avoid falUng down the
hatchways on one side, we must embrace the coals on the other.
June Wth. The irregularity in preparation and service of our meals still
frequently occurs.
There is one fact to which I have not yet alluded, though it has long de
manded reraark. Our ration of fresh water has daily assumed a darker hue,
and has now become the colour of chocolate, and closely approaches its
ordinary consistency. This appearance, we are informed, is occasioned by
the rust of the iron tanks in which it is kept. Now, my knowledge of medi-;
cine is so exceedingly limited that I will not venture an assertion as to the
effect that taking iron in such large quantities as we must necessarily do, is
likely to have upon our health, but -wiU leave the inatter to the consideration
• The circumstance of a large shark having been caught and brought on
board to-day, declares the necessity of great precaution in bathing in this
bay. It is decidedly unsafe to venture iu deep water.

21
of the more experienced reader, unless facts should enable me to use the
language of certainty.
June 21st. The cabin ports are always closed at night, however calm the
aea may be. I suppose this is a necessary precaution against sudden squalls,
but it renders the cabins unbearable. Last night was so terribly hot that
but few of the passengers avaUed themselves of their berths for sleeping in 
preferring to remain on deck in their clothes.
My bed has been saturated with dirty dish watar, which the scuUion (not
having been at sea before) threw over the wrong side of the vessel, and
which fonnd its way through the port of my cabin. I took my bed on deok
to be dried, but every spot that should be available for such purposes was
covered with coals, empty coal sacks, or lumber equally dirty. Of course
my bed is now in a state anything but agreeable. Some of the passengers'
luggage (not mine) was brought on deck to-day, and received a terrible
hauling over the coals.
June 22nd, We have passed another bedless, sleepless night — last night's
suffering being an increase on the former one by a heavy shower of rain,
which continned during the greater part of the night. There is much sick
ness on board, though not of a serious nature.
June 2ith. For the second time since I have been on board, I have had
access to my boxes. The scene was similar to that which attended its first
appearance on deck, with the additional annoyance of a strong breeze blow
ing our things away as fast as we took them out of our boxes, and a tolerable
wetting from the spray that frequently dashed over the bows of the vessel.
It is not, however, so iU a wind as to serve no one. Coming from tho
south, it has produced a coolness that has proved exceedingly beneficial to
the invalids on board ; and as we are running away from the suu in defiance
of the opposing wind, I hope we shall all soon be in perfect health. The
issue of purer water from wooden casks, or whitewashed iron tanks, may no
doubt share the credit of producing this happy result.
June 25th. Once more the decks are clear of coals. It is questionable,
however, whether the passengers would not wUlingly endure a repetition of
the nuisance, as it is now discovered that we have not a suflicient supply of
fuel to carry us to the Cape, that which we took in at St. Vincent* being of
such inferior quality that it requires an extraoiiiaaiy supply to produce the
necessary degree of heat. The wind being contrary, we are proceeding at a
very slow rate. It is reported that should the wind continue adverse, our
ration of fresh water is to be lessened.
June 26th. All the loose luggage in the second class saloon has been taken
on deck to-day, and, for the first time, the flooring has received a thorough
cleaning. * Cemented coal dust, known in London as ' patent fuel,' only esteemed
for its low price.

22
June 21th. After the report that our fresh water was becoming so scarce
that a deduction of our daily ration might be expected, it is somewhat
remarkable that we should so soon be destined to suffer that inconvenience
from accident. Yet such is the fact— sea water being this morning substi
tuted for the portion of fresh, hitherto applied to the uses of the cabins,
which substitution, we are informed, is occasioned by the upsetting of a cask
last night during the (something worse than absurd) ceremony of Neptune's
visit on board.
June 28th. We have had fresh water for the cabins this morning, and we
are assured that the full complement has been issued ; but it is noticeable
that for the first time it has been insufficient for the uses of the dinner table.
The reasonableness of my conjectures respecting the probable feeling that
would arise from a double course of meals, though by no means wanting
other confirmation, has been clearly manifested by this fact.
June 29th. The wind continuing adverse, the probability of a visit to St,
Helena is spoken of by our captain.
July 1st. Probability has become certainty ; we are bound for St. Helena,
and expect to be there to-morrow.
July 2nd. Noon. We are at anchor off St. Helena — taking in coals and
water. July Srd. 3 p.m. The ' AustraUan ' is once more afloat, with her nose to
the Cape, sniffing the land air, for the wind still blows frora that quarter.
July 5th. The deok of the ' Australian ' is less encumbered with loose
lumber, and altogether bears a more ship shape appearance than it has pre
viously done during the voyage. A like reform is visible in the saloon of the
second claas, the fiooring having received another scrubbing, and much of
the passengers' luggage having disappeared.
July 1th, Strong head wind. We are scarcely making any way. We are
not using more than half onr steam-power, being again short of coals.
Evemng. We have shaken out our canvass to beat up against the wind.
Long evenings and bad lights in the saloon, so dim that it is impossible to
read by them. This has been the case for some time past, and raust continue,
we are informed, until we arrive at the Cape of Good Hope.
July Sth. It may be remembered that an address from the second class
passengers to the directors of the Corapany was forwarded frora St. Vincent
for publication in the Times, and that I objected to a particular resolution,
declaring our provisions to be insufficient in quantity and inferior in quaUty.
My objection arose from a sense of not having given them a fair trial. I ara
now, however, in a position to declare that the censures contained in that
resolution, respecting their quality, have been found to be perfectly just, the
pork and beef being extreraely salt, hard, and unpalatable, without nutri
ment and indigestible, and the preserved meats are certainly of inferior
quality, and frequently of unpleasant flavour.

2;}
Under these circumstances, it is not surprising that the passengers should
observe with a jealous eye the serving up at the separate tables of the pud
ding, rice, and other provisions which, though frequently injured in the
cooking, are decidedly of superior quaUty to the meats. An extensive
diminution of the articles last referred to being more visible at the second
dinner to-day than on any other occasion, it was proposed, and unanimously
agreed to, that the forty-two passengers of the second course of raeals should
request permission to see their provisions weighed out to them in an undressed
state, and, as far as possible without obstructing the cook in his general
duties, to superintend their culinary preparation.
Under the ' dietary scale ' for the second cabin, iu the printed regulations,
may be observed the following reraark : —
' It is to be understood that the stores are laid in for the voyage by the
above scale, and that the several quantities marked therein wiU be carefuUv
weighed out to the steward, who wUl supply therewith a suitable table, after
the raanner of the cuddy arrangeraents in sailing vessels ; all second-class
passengers messing at the same table.'
Frora this remark 1 concluded that one or raore of the ship's officers would
sit at the table and perforra the duties of carving, &o. ; but this has been
entirely left to the arrangement of the passengers — which, though nothing
unpleasant has arisen, might have been productive of much dissatisfaction.
Our wishes inspecting our provisions haying been acceded to, the resolu
tion will be immediately acted upon.
July IQth. Evening. The wind continues adverse, but, having sunk to a
gentle breeze, we have taken in all sail, and are once raore on our direct
course. We are, howevei, proceeding at a very slow rate, still using but half
our steam power.
Two days' experience enables me to speak of the change in the raode of ob
taining our provisions with the utmost satisfaction. It is reraarkable that
the eight or ten officials (stewards and others, before referred to) have been
compelled by this- change to apply to the purser before they conld obtain
their dinners.
July Vlth. Evening. We have so nearly consumed all our coals, that it has
been deeraed necessary to put out our fires, and depend on the wind only for
the rest of the voyage to the Cape of Good Hope, a distance, I ara inforraed,
of about 600 railes : and as we are at present becalmed, our position is rather
peculiar for a Royal Mail Steam Packet.
Economy raay be a very good sort of a thing when it is of a positive nature,
but the economy of saving a few coals, and expending ten times their value
in other ways, seems to rae somewhat questionable.
July \3th. We are still becalraed. Some of the passengers are desirous of
knowing what they may expect to have for their Christmas dinner, as ther*
seems a probability of their having to take it on board.

24
The terrible destruction of glass and crockery which took place in the Bay
of Biscay reduced our stock sb considerably, as to leave us with a bare suffi
ciency — just one article of a sort, and no more. We veiitured to hope that
provision against the inconvenience that would necessarily arise from any
further casnality. Would have been made at St. Vinceiat. That magnificent
city, however, not producing such luxuries in sufficient quantity for the en
joyment of its own citizens, could not possibly afford us a ftesh supply,
however much it might have been desired. The apparent abundance which
we witnessed at St. Helena again raised our hopes, but though our necessi
ties had increased, we were again destined to be disappointed.
The saloon tables at each meal now present a curious heterogeneous ap
pearance, being at once covered with plates of all shapes and sizes for our
meats and other substantials, and cups, basins, mugs, tumblers, champagne
glasses, and small wine glasses, for drinking purposes.
The first class passengers appear to be in a like predicament, for it is not
uncoramon to see a first class steward enter our saloon, just as we are about
to sit down to a meal, and slyly walk off with some of the above-named
articles which we had been flattering ourselves were for our accommodation.
July lith. The calm continuing without appearance of change, it was
resolved last night to relight the fires of one of our boilers and steam for a
few hours, hoping thereby to catch the south trade winds. But scarcely had
the engine perforraed a second revolution when sorae part of the machinery
snapped, and after an unsuccessful search for upwards of an hour to dis
cover what was amiss, the fires were again extinguished, amidst the jokes and
jeers of the youthful portion of the passengers.
This raorning a favourable breeze has sprung up, and we are gliding on with
every available bit of canvass set, at a rate of between three and four knots.
July 16th. We have raade such progress since the wind becarae favourable
that we have again lighted our fires, hoping to be able to steam the rest of
the way.
July llth. Unable to reach the Cape by the time lioped for, we have
again put out our fires.
July ISth. Early this morning we cast anchor in Table Bay, after again
stearaing for about twelve hours,
July 22nd. The passengers' luggage has been taken from the fore hold to
make room for the coals which we have taken in. While the coals were
being stowed below, the luggage remained on deck, and was exposed to a
long and heavy shower of rain. The greater portion was covered with
canvass or tarpauling, but many boxes had no such protection from the wet.
The decrease of the ship's stores and the removal of What remained, has
made room for rauch of this luggage in the after hold. The remainder is
piled up to tbe roof of the deck houses, thus occupying a space hitherto
appropriated as a smoking room for the accommodation of the first and

25
second class passengers. By this arrangement the decks have heen kept
clear from coals ; but whether this will recompense the passengers for the
injury their property must necessarily have received by the rain, is a ques
tion I will not attempt to answer. At the present moraent, I know not
whether my own hoies were among the protected or exposed, as I was on
shore while the moving took place, and having j ust come on board, only had
a view of the general scene as I passed below.
1 p.m. We have weighed anchor, and shall in a few minutes bid adieu to
Cape Town.
July 23rd. The tables were marked by the same strange medley of recep
tacles for drink to-day as before we reached the Cape. It is supposed that
there is an abundant supply of all such necessaries somewhere on board, but
they cannot be found just now, and the officers on board have not felt thera
selves coraraissioned by the directors of the AustraUan Royal Mail Steara
Navigation Company to satisfy the passengers' wants, under such circura
stances, by fresh expenditure.
The deficiency of lights in the second class saloon is still a matter of com
plaint, no fresh provision having been made in this respect.
July 2ith. Noon. It has been blowing a gale from the north-east for the
last eighteen hours, and though the barometer now indicates a favourable
change, the 'wind has but Uttle abated. The gale carae on gradually, and
yet found us so ill prepared that casks, tubs, and hencoops were knocking ,
about on deck in a frightful raanner through the night. Nor were we in a
much better state below, boxes, portmanteaus, and other unfastened luggage
being cast about with every lurch of the vessel, so that they who were in
their cabins were constrained to remain there, or proceed on deck at the ira-
minent hazard of having their legs broken. A large iron water-tank which
stood in midships at the fore end of the ' deck-houses,' also slipped from its
fastening, or, as I should more properly say, from its want of fastening.
Had the way been clear, this immense tank (full of water) must have carried
away the bulwarks, with the shrouds and whatever else might be fastened to
them. But the gangway being choked up with such things as the last lurch
had thrown there, no further injury was sustained than the smashing of a
pork cask and a hencoop, the latter misfortune being accorapanied with the
loss of sorae half dozen hens that were found the next raorning in a sadly
mutilated state. A raore serious loss, however, attended us from another
circurastance. A treraendous wave sent the ' AustraUan' so nearly
on her beam-ends, that two of her boats were lifted from their davits
by the sea and carried away. Our jib-boom also broke off close up to the
bowsprit end. There is also another opening in her bulwarks forward, on
the opposite side to that which was occasioned by the sea in the Bay of
Biscay. In the fore part of the vessel, including most of the third class,
they were half up to their kness in water the greater part of the night.

26
the carrying away of her bulwarks having made the deck leaky. Much of
this water found its way into the saloon and cabins of the second class, so as
to daraage our clothes in the cabin drawers, and, of course, the loose luggage
in the saloon has also received damage. .
This, however, I am happy to state, is the extent of the injury done by
the gale, negativing the terrible predictions that have been uttered as to the
fate that would certainly attend us should we have to contend with such a
gale. Having said so much, however, I must further observe that no doubt
was ever entertained of the strength and security of the iron portion of the
vessel. But all above that had been pronounced too slight to stand much
knocking about,
July 26th. The wind has shifted to the west, and has so greatly subsided
that we have ceased steaming, and we are proceeding on onr course by
canvass only.
August 1st. Our progress since my last note has been varied, never, I
believe, having used our full power of steara. A strong west wind has now
induced us fo put ont our fires.
August 2nd. Morning. We have passed a terapestuous night, and it is
still blowing a gale, accorapanied by rain. The sea runs high, but the wind
being aft, the ' Australian ' keeps her nose out of it better than on former
like occasions.
August Srd. Less wind, but continued high sea.
August ith. By daybreak this morning a sail was discovered ahead of ns.
She is now running fast away from us, and being on the same course, she
mest probably passed us during the night.
Night. The wind having veered nearly ahead of us, we have once raore
put on the steara.
August Ith. Noon. Our firemen have struck work ; our engine is mo
tionless ; and, if the vessel has any raotion, it is retrograde, the wind being
dead against us, though fast subsiding to a calm. Yesterday, by some raeans
or other, not clearly understood, the firemen's rations were lost, and the men
have consequently not had anything to eat since dinner time yesterday.
This is the cause of the strike, which, wheresoever the blame may lie, is rather
a serious affair.
4 p.m. The firemen have returned to their work, and the engine is once
more in raotion.
August 3th. My luggage not having been accessible for upwards of three
weeks, I ara sadly inconvenienced by the want of a change of linen. Many
of my fellow passengers are suffering stiU greater necessity than rayself in
this respect.
August lOth. The wind (a mere zephyr) having become favourable, we
have put out the fires of one of our boUers, and are consequently proceeding
at a very slow rate.

27
August 1 1 th. Great scarcity of water to-day. Scarcely a drop appeared
Bt the dinner tables. The chief steward declares that we have our com
plement. August 12th. Not a drop of water at the dinner tables to-day.
The last three days have presented a fine opportunity for bringing the lug
gage on deck ; bnt it has been suffered to pass without such result. To-day
the sea is too rough to expect it.
August 1 Sth, Again no water at dinner, and but few at the second break
fast obtained a second cup of tea or coffee; aud as most ofthe nups, and other
articles produced at our tables as substitutes for cups, are considerably
chipped and broken, the share of mauy did not exceed half a cup. I was
particularly fortunate on this occasion, for it so happened that I had to drink
from a butter-boat eapable of containing raore than half a pint, and a fortu
nate lurch of the ship caused the coffee to run freely from the kettle at the
moment the steward had intended to cease pouring.
August lith. Last night, daring a storm, the engine suddenly ceased
working. This moming the wind has dropped nearly to a calm.
Kain water has been collected in abundance.
Evening. As very little work has been done at the forge to-day, it raust
be supposed that if any accident has happened to the engine it raust be ofa
sUght nature, or else that it is so serious as to be irreparable at sea. It is
more probable, however, that a deficiency of coals is the more immediate
and direct cause of the cessation of steam.
August 15th. I know not whether it is the general custom on board steam
boats to supply the passengers with liquors aud wines in unlimited quanti
ties, but I will venture to assert that a grog-shop on board a vessel bound for
so long a journey as ours, must be a serious evil, especially when the pas
sengers are divided into classes, and a lax discipline renders such division
merely nominal.
August 16th. Most of the passengers' luggage (I believe all that was
wanted) was brought on deck to-day, and exposed to a heavy shower of
lain for about half an honr.
August ISth. No tea and hut very Uttle coffee at the second breakfast
this raorning. There heing a deficiency for the first class, the first class
stewards had helped themselves to our share.
August 19th. 9 a.m. We are just off the entrance to King George's
Sound, but cannot enter, the wind being against us, and oar steam-engine
being still out of repair. Early this morning a few turns were produced,
when sorae fresh accident occurred and it ceased working. A second atterapt
was productive of an accident that might have been of a serious nature. A
portion of the engine struck the roof and forced up two boards of the deck
of the passage, starboard side, between the first and second class saloons.

28
The alarm of two ladies who were sitting on the spot may be more readily
imagined than described.
10 a.m. The weather is sqnaUy, blowing half a gale. We are beating
about, waiting, I suppose, for steam to take us into the Sound.
Noon. Again the engine has been in motion. Having carried us hand
somely, in a very ugly squall, past a rather dangerous point on our lee, of
course we ventured to hope we should soon get into the Sound without
further accident, but just at the entrance the engine again stopped working,
and we cast anchor outside, instead of inside, the Sound.
August 20th. 8 a.m. The engine has again been brought into working
order, and has brought us safely into the Sound.
The ship ' WiUiam Stevenson,' of London, now lying here, having brought
coals from England for ns, made the passage from off the Cape in the same
number of days as ourselves.
Evening. The weather has been so tempestuous that the day has been
lost to us; no one has been able to get on shore, and, of course, nothing has
been brought on board.
August 2ith. i ¦p.m. We are again at sea, five clear days and nights
having elapsed since we first cast anchor. Several tons of coals have been
stowed in the hold under the second class saloon by means of a hatch ahout
a yard square in the flooring of the saloon, close up to the after bulk-Bead ,
a portion of which has been cut away to make an oblique conveyance from
the main deck from one of the entrances to the fire room. Though this
opening has been covered with sacks, the saloon has been exposed to a cloud
of fine coal dust the whole time. Every available spot for the depositing of
coals below deck has been filled up ; nevertheless the gangway on one side
of the main deck is entirely stopped up by a heap of coals higher than the
bulwarks, and several sacks of coals appear on the gangway on the other
side. To facilitate the getting out frora the bottom of the hold such of the mer
chandise and luggage as was required for King George's Sound, much of
the passengers' luggage was brought on deck, and remained there for two
days and nights, the greater part of which time rain fell abundantly. A
covering was certainly cast over it, but finding my own box entirely exposed,
I can testify to the imperfect protection which this covering afforded.
August 25th. The coals on deck are being conveyed below by the viaduct
before referred to. The flooring of the second class saloon is, positively,
paved with coal dust, cemented by grease and dirt of alraost every description*
August 29th. Early this morning we cast anchor in the roadstead of Ade
laide, having made the passage from King George's Sound (about 1,000
miles) iu four days and a half. This is the most creditable performances
between port and port, that has yet marked the ' AustraUan's' passage.
There are several vessels lying here wanting hands to proceed to sea. The

29
high wages offered by the captains of these vessels has induced the whole of
our crew to strike work. They complain that they have not had proper
sleeping accommodation during the voyage, and they now require their dis
charge. An offer of five tiraes the wages for which they originally agreed
has induced about half of them to proraise to work as far as Sydney, where
they are to have their discharge if they require it. These terras, however,
are not sufficiently tempting for the others, and they demand their discharge
— a demand which Captain Hoseason seeras in no way inclined to yield to ;
and the armed poUce which we have on board wiU most probably prevent
them from leaving the vessel.
August soth. Of our eighteen stokers, fourteen have struck work. I know
not what their demand is, but whatever it may be, it is regarded by Captain
Hosesison as unreasonable and wiU not be granted.
10 a.m. The fires of one of our boilers having been lighted by the engi
neers, we have proceeded to sea with but half our crew and less than a
quarter of our firemen. Of course this state of affairs cannot last long,
1 p.m. One of the working stokers has been severely beaten by one of the
stokers on strike. Captain Hoseason having investigated the case, ordered
the assailant to be put in irons. But the man retired among his companions
and defied the oflicers to apprehend him.
The stokers on strike, it appears, have threatened all who may attempt to
fill their places ; and this brutal assault declares there may be some mean
ing in their words. A dozen of the third class men, however, have made an
arrangement with Captain Hoseason to perform the duties of stokers as far
as Port Phillip.
' These men,' they observe, ' struck work to suit their purpose, and we
did not complain. Our purpose is to get to our journey's end as quickly as
possible, and it is unreasonable to threaten us for working for ourselves.'
Every other passenger on board has determined to give these men aU the
assistance they may require.
Evening. Three of the stokers and one seaman have been put in irons.
August Slst. Morning. We have passed the ' Back Stairs Passage.'
The rocks, shoals, and currents of this place render it rather dangerous at
the best of times, but with our short muster of sailors, and inexperienced,
though truly willing firemen, and a head wind, the night has been one of ex
treme emxiety. With the exception of a man who has been marked as a
leader (to whom Captain Hoseason shows no incUnation to enter into terms),
the seamen have all returned to work. Some of the stokers have followed
their example.
September 2nd. For myself and fellow-passengers intending to debark at
Port PhilUp, no further incident need be recorded in this Journal. The
' AustraUan ' is lying at anchor in Melbourne Harbour. The voyage has
extended far beyond-tbei:erm ejected, bnt ¦whether or not this has entirely

so
or partiaUy arisen from circurastances over which the directors of the Com
pany or the managers of the vessel have had no control, I will not attempt to
decide. Steam comraunication with the antipodes has, till lately, been con
sidered impracticable. To a certain extent, therefore, a first attempt at its
accomplishment demands our commendation and support. But the raere cir
cumnavigation of the world by steam-power can interest the public but little,
unless it be accoraplished with equal comfort to the traveller with that
afforded by sailing vessels. Upon this point I have rarely expressed my own
opinion, but have endeavoured to lay before the public such a statement of
facts as raay enable thera to form their own conclusions. Nor should the
probability of remedy in any future voyage of the ' Australian,' or other
steam-packet, be lost sight of, should present evil appear to exist.

'«.-^CRrOC7Y>>- — -

Tvndale & Co., Printers, 3, Queen's Head Passage, Paternoster Row,

YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

3 9002 03097 8101