Melbourne.-

Arrivals.-

December, 1852

Departures

December, 1852

27. Eliza and Ellen, for Sydney ;
27. Orestes, for Madras,
28. John Taylor, for London :
28. Herculean and Eliza Frances, for Sydney :
28. Marion, for Hobart Town.
29. Sappho, for Sydney,
30. Clarence and Mercury, for Launceston
30. Abrota for Ackyab :
30. Gloriana, for Madras;
30. Esther, for New Zealand ;
30. City of Lincoln, for Callao :
30. Gem, for Hobart Town.
31. Fanny, for Ceylon;
31. Vixen, for Launceston;
31. Mary Stewart, for Sydney ;
31. Louisa, for Adelaide.

Geelong.- Arrivals:

December, 1852

Departure:

--------------------

The Persian arrived yesterday, from London September 22, having on board 619 Government emigrants. 34 deaths having occurred on the passage, from fever, diarrhea, &c., and several cases of the former being still amongst the people, it was deemed advisable by the assistant emigration officers to place the vessel in quarantine, until the matter was further inquired into by the assistant colonial surgeon.

The Constance, as if in emulation of the barque formerly commanded by Captain J. B. Godfrey, and celebrated for her quick passages, has likewise made a very good run from Liverpool in eighty-four days. The voyage, we believe, has been a most agreeable one to all parties. Some time ago the Constance spoke the Amoia, from Halifax, Nova Scotia, bound for this port.

The Allison, we regret to state, has been ordered into quarantine by the medical officer at Williams Town, several cases of fever having broken out within the last few days. All public intercourse with this ship will necessarily be at an end - Argus.

The Great Britain.- There is to be a lunch on a grand scale on board this magnificent steamer to-day, to which the Governor, Bishop, Heads of Departments, Officers of the 40th Regiment, the Press, and at least two hundred ladies and gentlemen are invited. It is expected to be a very brilliant affair.- M. M. Herald.

Eight deaths occurred on board the Posthumous; those of the passengers arrived are perfectly healthy.

The Velore from Bristol, bound to Melbourne, was spoken by the Persian, on 16th October, going into Rio for water.- Argus.

The Persian was released from temporary quarantine on Monday afternoon, a few hours after her arrival, the sickness on board appearing to be nothing beyond a low ship fever.

The Candahar returned to port on Tuesday, with loss of jib-boom. She reports several vessels outside dismasted, among which are the Chatham, Scindian, and Abel Gower. The south-westerly gales prevented this vessel from making Cape Otway, and in consequence of provisions and water becoming scarce, Captain Loss deemed it best to return to Hobson's Bay. The Diana, brig, bound for Adelaide, also put back on the same evening.

Symptoms of fever have developed themselves on board the Allison; she has been ordered to the Heads, there to remain in quarantine.

Captain J. B. Reynolds proceeds this morning to the west of Swan Point with the lighters Martha and Elizabeth and Adelaide Packet, with upwards of 20 hands, to land the cargo of the St. George, now on shore at that place. Argus.

Wreck At The Heads.- The ship St. George, Captain Davidson. (late of the Posthumous,) from Plymouth 6th August. with 240 immigrants, and an assorted cargo, arrived off the Heads on Tuesday. Standing in under easy sail she got on some rock off Point Nepean, and struck heavily for a few minutes. The force of the current carried her clear off the rocks, but so leaky that the pumps could not keep the water under. The captain then stood to the eastward, and got inside of Point Lonsdale, when a pilot came on board - there was now seven feet water in the bold in spite of incessant pumping ; he decided to take her into Swan Bay, and have her beached, which manoeuvre was safely effected yesterday (Wednesday) morning. Captain Davidson immediately started to Melbourne in the Victoria for the purpose of getting the assistance of one of the river steamers, to takeoff the immigrants. The ship is described to be in a perfectly safe position, beached in Swan Bay, and the captain is confident he can float her into harbour after discharging a portion of the cargo. The whole of the cargo will be damaged as far as the water can injure it.- Geelong Advertiser

The Great Britain: Notwithstanding the extreme heat of the weather, the Great Britain was visited yesterday by many hundreds of people. The river steamers were crowded to excess, and at the charge of five shilling per head each way, must have been doing a profitable business; the Thames halfpenny boats were never more uncomfortably or dangerously crammed, and we have heard the visit spoken of as the severest pressure ever undergone. Yet most of those who trod the decks of the giant steam ship experienced both delight and astonishment, and by them the presence of the Great Britain in our Bay will not soon be forgotten. We are informed that the Great Britain will most probably make at least another voyage to the Australian Colonies, and that she may he expected again in June or July. From enquiry at the agent's we learn that 3000 tickets were issued for viewing this vessel. Many persons who had not procured tickets were admitted upon paying at the gangway, and the sailors of the ships in port upon the payment of one shilling each. Altogether 4000 persons are computed to have visited the ship. Her mail will close at 12 o'clock on Monday. and she will sail about three o'clock in the afternoon.- Argus.

English Shipping.- The Tancred, for Adelaide, sailed from Liverpool on the 26th, the Ben Nevis on the 27th and Catherine Mitchell on the 30th September, for Melbourne. The Baltimore, 650 tons, Athlone 800 tons, Africa 1,350 tons. General List 1,100 tons. Lucie Marie 1,200 tons, and Edmund 1,800 tons, were to leave Liverpool for Melbourne between the 15th and 26th October. The Anna Elise, 850 tons, was laid on for Sydney direct.- Melbourne Herald.

The John Williams, Mission vessel, has been absent about twelve months, cruising among the South Sea Islands.

The Colonist, from London, arrived at Hobart Town on 27th December.

The Joshua. for London, cleared at Melbourne on 30th December with 83 passengers, 1061 bales wool, 64 sheepskins, and 5733 ounces of gold.

The steamer Australian arrived at Port Louis on the 11th November, and sailed for London via the Cape of Good Hope on the 13th. The ship Georgiana is laid on at the Mauritius for Adelaide, Port Phillip, and Sydney.

The Catherine Jamieson has had rather a tedious passage from London, in consequence of contrary winds. She reports having spoken the Delgarno, from Port Phillip, bound to Bombay, with a fair wind, off Cape Otway, on 30th ult.

The Chusan.- The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamship Chusan arrived in Melbourne on 31st ult. after a passage of 76 hours, during which she experienced heavy gale of wind from the westward, and lost some of her sails, the barometer being as low as 29.10. The Chusan was to sail on Monday last.

The Rose, steamer, reports the Salem, barque, as having left Newcastle for San Francisco 5th instant.

The Hamlet left the Land's End on the 27th September, making her passage in 99 days. She has had very heavy weather during the last 14 days, off the coast.

The Emma has had an excellent run from Port Phillip, having left the Heads on Sunday evening and anchored in the Cove before six o'clock on Thursday morning. The St. George was lying aground upright when the Emma passed, and she appeared to have most of her passengers on board.

The Beejapore has made the passage from Liverpool in 85 days - the shortest run on record - bringing 911 immigrants. Unfortunately 56 deaths have occurred from meazles and fever during the voyage, and one death took place only three days ago: there are between 30 and 40 cases of sickness now on board. The vessel has been placed in quarantine.

The Equestrian, from Hobart Town, is originally from Plymouth, with convicts, and has brought on to this port a detachment of the 11th regiment, which formed the guard on the passage out. They were received on landing by Colonel Bloomfield, the Adjutant, and the band of the regiment, and escorted to the barracks in the usual manner. The Waterlily was to sail from Hobart Town on the 3rd instant.

The Rattler, from Plymouth, arrived on Thursday, bringing 254 bounty immigrants, viz., 57 married couples, 33 single women, and 8 single men, the rest children of various ages. 7 deaths and 7 births occurred during the voyage ; of the former, three were caused by diarrhoea, one consumption, l disease of the heart, and one of the brain; there was also one sudden death. The immigrants are of a mixed and rather superior class. The ship is remarkably cleanly. A general appearance of comfort was manifested throughout. The Rattler, on the 3rd December, spoke the Countess of Elgin, in Lat. 48°18' S., and long. 31°14'30" E., out 70 days : and the Time, barque, on the 6th December, in Lat. 41°33' S., long. 36°9' E., both bound from Plymouth for Port Phillip. There are about 150 tons of general merchandize on board the Rattler.

PAGE 14 for 8 Jan 1853

The Etoile Du Matin.- This schooner left this port on the 25th May for a cruise among the South Sea Islands. Great fears are now entertained for her safety, as the several late arrivals from the Islands do not bring any tidings whatever of her.

In the manifest per Luciparas. 4 casks 1 hogshead to J. Montefiore should have been J. Mountford.

The Whitby reports the Camila for this port as leaving Kiapara on the same day.

The Change reports the Ann Lockerby to sail from Manila, on the 17th, and the Augusta about the 24th of October, both for Sydney direct; also the Foster on the 21st, for this port via Port Phillip. The Achilles, hence 19th July, and Mary Bannatyne, hence 12th of August, arrived at Manila, on the 5th and 7th October On September 16, in latitude 15°28' N., longitude 118°45' E., at 6 30 P.M., on the passage from China, to Manila, The Change experienced a violent shock, as of an earthquake, which caused a violent vibration on board, and at 9 P.M., same day the effects were repeated; on the vessel's arrival at Manila, it was ascertained that at the same date an earthquake had occurred in that town, but of longer duration. The Change was about 90 miles off shore at the time of the shock.

The Rajah Wallie.- We are requested to state that this vessel is to be sold by auction, at Melbourne, on the 20th instant.

In the shipments of gold published in Mr. Lloyd's circular in last Saturday's Shipping Gazette, per Phoenician read 48,959 oz. and per Saladin, 10,000 oz.

The Eagle, Steamer.- Captain G. A. Griffiths, late of the Louis and Miriam, has been appointed to the command of this vessel.

The schooner Despatch was sold by Mr. Newton, at auction, on Tuesday, to Mr. Swinbourne, for £895, cash.

The Waterloo has made a fine passage in 98 days. She brings a large assorted cargo. The following vessels were spoken by her. November 2, in latitude 1° 17' S. longitude 27° 12' W. Sea Nymph, for Melbourne, 41 days out, November 11, in latitude 28° 5' S., longitude 25° 0' W., Constance, from Liverpool, for Port Phillip ; December 2, in latitude 45° 19' S., longitude 40° 1' E., Persian, from London, for Melbourne. The passengers speak in high terms of the ship, and Captain Green's kind treatment. They are about to present a handsome piece of plate to the captain as a memento of his urbanity and gentlemanly conduct to all on board.

The Robert spoke the Southern Cross, barque, from London, bound to Hobart Town, in latitude 8° 46' N., longitude 22° 44' W., on the 23rd of September.

English Shipping.- The Douglas, hence May 8, with 11,753 ounces gold, entered inwards at London on 21st September. The Ganges, from Sydney June 13, with 17,852 ounces, gold: and Medway, from Melbourne 28th May, with 65,051 ounces gold, arrived in London previous to the 4th October. The Ben Nevis sailed from Liverpool for Melbourne on 27th September. The Hamlet sailed for Sydney September 21.

The Velocity went into Twofold Bay to land passengers, seven of whom left the vessel, then she took in 100 bales of wool for the following consignees, viz. 23 bales, H.W. Hamilton ; 33 bales, Flower, Salting, and Co.; 14 bales, Thacker and Co. ; 24 bales, Campbell and Co. ; 6 hales, W. Walker and Co. The Gipsy, schooner, left Twofold Bay for this port in company with the Velocity, she brings wool and passengers. There is a fair quantity of gold by private hands.

The Marmora reports the arrival of the Berwick Castle from England via Hobart Town, with pensioners.- The Moa was to leave on the 21st ultimo for Sydney.

The Carnatic, from Plymouth, via Melbourne, another of Messrs. Green's vessels, arrived on Saturday, bringing forty of Mr. Sydney Herbert's needlewomen.

The Rajah Wallis, screw steamer, came into port on Saturday from Melbourne. She is an American vessel, and appears a particularly clean and compact ship The cabin accommodation are very comfortable, and her engine of 240 horse-power, will give an average speed of eleven knots.

Her Majesty's ship Hercules, Commander Baynton. is to embark a sergeant, corporal, drummer, and 17 privates, of the Royal Marines, who are to be selected from men of good character, fitted for the service on which the Hercules is to be employed - that of conveying emigrants to Australia. It is uncertain whether this ship will, as originally intended, proceed to the East India Docks, as it is doubtful whether the entrance is sufficiently large to admit her. If this difficulty should be verified she may then either be fitted for the emigrants at moorings in the Thames, which would involve the additional expense of taking the artificers to and from the ship; or she may be fitted at one of the public establishments at the expense of the Australian Land and Emigration Commissioners. It is thought, also, she will obtain her cargo of timber from Swan River. Hands are entering for her daily, she is progressing fast in her rigging and general fittings. The riggers of the yard are working on her. Times September 20.

On Tuesday morning, the Six Sisters. a Dutch vessel, chartered by the Government, was towed down the river from Deptford to Gravesend, whence it sailed with upwards of 300 emigrants for Geelong. Port Phillip. The vessel was accompanied by a chaplain (the Rev. Thomas Pownall Boultbee, M.A., Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge, and late curate of Cheltenham), a surgeon-superintendent (James Hannan, Esq.,) a schoolmaster, matron, &c. London Paper. October 2.

The noble ship Shackamaxton, commanded by Captain West, son of the veteran who has charge of the Atlantic, steamer, is now ready for sea. She carries out to Australia about 630 souls. Liverpool Mail, October 3

The quickest western passage ever made by a screw steamer, has been performed by the screw-steamer Glasgow, the time being 12 days 19 hours, thus eclipsing the Great Britain's last run across to America. The shortest eastern trips to Europe by the same kind of steamers were made by these two vessels - the Great Britain accomplishing the voyage in 11 days 6 hours and 45 minutes, and the Glasgow in 12 days and 19 hours - Liverpool Mail, October 3

A large party was given on board the Great Britain, at Melbourne, on the 28th December.

Emigration.- The number of emigrants from this port for Australia appears to be on the increase. During the last ten days the departures have been almost daily, and among them is to be noted the largest which has ever sailed out of the Sound for the colonies. The Bombay registers 1270, and carries 1800 tons, is commanded by Captain Thomas Flamank, and started on Saturday for Melbourne. She is a two-decked ship, 180 feet long, with a beam of 38 feet on the main deck, and of 42 on the lower deck. She embarked in London 313 and 1/8 statute adults, or 396 souls, chiefly from Middlesex, Oxford, Surrey, Buckinghamshire, &c., and in Plymouth about 244 statute adults, or 308 souls, principally from the west of England, making, with her crew of 68, a total of upwards of 770 persons in one ship. Prior to her departure the ship and the crew were officially inspected by Lieutenant Carew, R.N., Her Majesty's emigration officer, who, in conjunction with Mr. W. H. Foulds, Superintendent of Embarkation, mustered the emigrants. Two medical officers, Mr. Evans, superintendent, and Mr. O'Brien, assistant-surgeon, have been appointed to attend to the sanitary condition of the passengers, who form almost a colony in themselves; and their spiritual wants are under the guidance of the Rev. David Seddon, who, with his family, has left the vicarage of Mottram, in Shropshire, in the expectation of taking duty in the new cathedral at Melbourne. A selected schoolmaster (Mr. Gilchrist), and the head matron (Mrs. Smith), go in the vessel, to guide and instruct the emigrants, who are a fine, strong, healthy class of people, chiefly in families, some of which extend to twelve persons. The ship, which belongs to Messrs. Dunbar and Co.. of London, was, while in port, under charge of Mr. James A. Wilcocks, agent for emigration, by whom 140 of the emigrants were selected. The Bombay is a remarkably substantial vessel, having been built of teak, at Moulmein in 1808, for the East India Company. At that time she had a crew of about 180 hands, and carried 32 guns, 18-pounders, which were never used for any more sanguinary purpose than that of occasionally dispersing a shoal of whales. In 1826. she conveyed to Europe the Dutch Governor-General of Java and family, at a cost of £2,500. In 1833, Captain Hyde, who then commanded, made a passage in her from the Lizard to Java-head in 78 days, which he is said to have accomplished chiefly by saving 1500 miles between the Equator and the Cape of Good Hope, after losing the south-east trades. In 1846 she because the property of her present owners, who have employed her in the India trade and in the conveyance of troops. Woolmer's Gazette, September 4.

Collision On The River.- The steamer Prince of Wales and the Argo, for Port Phillips were in contact on Thursday, while at anchor in the river, in consequence of the latter breaking her shear. The Prince of Wales lost funnel, quarter-boat, bulwarks, &c., but the Argo does not appear to have sustained any damage.

Liverpool Journal, 9 October, 1852.

The Beejapore, Captain M'lay, whose arrival we reported yesterday, embarked 967 Government emigrants, at Liverpool, of whom 342 were children. Of the adults, about one half are from the Isle of Skye, and about 200 are Paisley weavers. Fifty-six deaths occurred on the passage, of which 55 were children, principally from scarlet fever and measles. The other death was that of an adult from apoplexy. Eighty was the number of cases of measles which occurred on board, and 20 of scarlet fever. At the present time there are only 13 patients under the doctor's hands, all children suffering from measles, but most of these are in an improving state. The fever first emanated from the depot at Plymouth, in which, unfortunately. the emigrants resided previous to their embarkation. It is supposed that the ship will be released from quarantine about the end of next week. She reports having spoken the following vessels:- November 4th, Priscilla. Liverpool to Moreton Bay, in latitude 5° 44' N., longitude 23° 40 W.; on the 7th, Travancore. Plymouth for Swan River, in latitude 4° 20' N., longitude 21° 49' W. ; on the 17th, Regina, London to Port Jackson, in latitude 21° 30' S., longitude 27°50' W. ; on the 27th. Condor, Liverpool to Port Phillip, in latitude 33° 26' S., longitude 17° 58' W. ; on the 28th Alipore, Dartmouth to Melbourne, in latitude 35° 39' S., longitude 15° 13' W.

The Australian Mail Packets.- Plymouth, October 9. The Australian Royal Mail Steam Navigation Company's iron screw steam ship Melbourne, Commander James Arthur Cox, which left Gravesend on Friday, the 1st instant, arrived here on Friday, the 8th. She was appointed to sail from Plymouth with the mails on Sunday the 4th. Her detention has caused some anxiety to a considerable number of passengers, who have been waiting her arrival at this port. It appears that the Melbourne left Gravesend at 5 P.M. on Friday, getting through the Queen's Channel the same night. On Saturday she passed the Downs as far as Beachy Head, where she met a fearful gale from S.S.W. to W., the barometer being at 29.6. The mizen topsail was set with difficulty the steam was kept going easy, and the vessel's head brought up to the wind on the starboard tack. In this position a heavy squall rolled her main and mizen topgallant-masts over the side. About 5 or 8 P.M. it was reported to Captain Cox that a large quantity of water was on the gun deck, and all the pumps were put to work. At 10 P.M., by a sudden lurch, the deck spars were set adrift ; and at 12, there being no decrease in the water, the ship, after a consultation, bore up for the Downs, where she anchored with 120 fathoms of chain, the barometer being at 29.10. It was not until Sunday, about 4 P.M., that the water was got out of her. The leakage came in through the lower ports and the water-closets ; the lower ports are each fitted with two half-doors, one opening upwards, the other down; the latter were said to be caulked at Woolwich, but it will be readily perceived that any attempt to caulk one half the ports must be insufficient, especially in a ship constructed like the Melbourne. When the ship plunged in heavy weather the sea was forced up through the soil pipes of the two closets on either side of the bow, and of the two on the larboard quarter. These closets will be removed, and other accommodations adopted. The intention, in caulking the lower halves only of the lower ports, was to give extra ventilation in the tropics, but the ports will now be fastened, and caulked above and below, and ventilation will be attained by brass scuttles and by cowl pipes from the deck.

The engines of the Melbourne are new, by Rennie; the crank shaft bearings got heated coming down channel, and it was also found that the wooden cogs of one of the wheels were rather thrown out of order by the water used in lubricating the ironwork. With these exceptions the engines are in capital order, and perfect throughout. It is understood that the directors are prepared to make every reasonable allowance for the inconvenience to passengers caused by the detention of the ship. On Saturday morning she was placed alongside the Vigo, hulk, in Hamoaze, and, instructions from the Admiralty having preceded her, the Port-Admiral, the Commodore Superintendent, Mr. Edye, the master builder, Mr. Mills, master-attendant, and Mr. Stuart, engineer, made every arrangement for the prompt repairs of the ship, which, it is hoped, will be ready for sea by Tuesday evening. Letters posted in London on Monday (this day), will be, therefore, certain of conveyance, and letters on Tuesday will probably be in time.

The Australian, belonging to the same company, which left Plymouth. on the 5th June, was due at Sydney on the 14th September, and should now be on her homeward passage, between St. George's Sound and the Cape. The Sydney, which left on the 3rd of August, will be near St. George's Sound on her outward passage.

It is understood that the directors are negotiating with the Government for the establishment of a monthly, instead of a bi-monthly, postal communication with the Australian colonies - a most desirable measure now that the traffic is so much increased. By the agreement with the directors the commanders of these steamers can, in the event of losing seamen at the colonies, obtain hands from any of the ships belonging to Her Majesty's navy. At 7 o'clock this evening, a meeting of dissatisfied passengers, convened by public advertisement, was held in the Royal Hotel, Mr. Robert Mellor. second cabin passenger, in the chair. Mr. Marshall, secretary to the company, Captain Cox, Mr. Walcot. jun., shipping agent in London, and Mr. Wilcocks, the company's agent here, were present, and gave such explanations as induced the proposer of a condemnatory resolution to withdraw it, and caused an expression of satisfaction from all assembled. Times, October 11.

SG & SGTL Pages 13-14 for 8 Jan 1853

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