It is doubtful if a ship ever sailed the seas with more beautiful deck fittings. They were all of the finest teak, fashioned as if by a cabinetmaker and lavishly carved. In her midship house, in addition to the galley, carpenter’s shop, petty officer’s quarters, donkey engine and condenser, she had accommodation for 30 passengers.
Like the _Rodney_, she was fitted up with all the latest comforts and conveniences—luxuries they were considered in those robust days. On her forward deck against the midship house were lashed a splendid cowhouse, two teak wood pens to hold 30 sheep, and a number of hen coops which were crammed with poultry, ducks, and geese, the butcher being one of the most important members of her crew.
Her foc’s’le had three tiers of bunks, for she carried a large crew. In 1886 I find that she hauled out of the South West India Dock with 200 passengers and a crew of 51 all told.
She did not stay very long in the Adelaide trade, but from the early eighties was a favourite passenger ship to Melbourne, her commander being Captain Daniel R. Bolt, a very experienced passenger ship commander, who had previously had the _Darling Downs_, _Royal Dane_, and _Holmsdale_. Under him without any undue hurry, she was generally between 80 and 85 days going out, and in the nineties coming home.
Below will be found a typical abstract of her log when running the easting down, taken from her outward passage in 1884:—
August 31.—Lat. 38° 00′ S., long. 1° 52′ W. Dist. 242. Moderate steady S.W. wind, rain squalls. Two sail in company.
September 1.—Lat. 38° 57′ S., long. 2° 47′ E. Dist. 226. Strong, unsteady, squally S.W. to west wind, high sea, royals set.
September 2.—Lat. 39° 07′ S., long. 7° 42′ E. Dist. 230. Variable south wind, squally, heavy rollers from S.W.
September 3.—Lat. 39° 40′ S., long. 12° 49′ E. Dist. 241. Westerly wind, fresh and squally, under topgallant sails, heavy rollers.
September 4.—Lat. 40° 06′ S., long. 19° 05′ E. Dist. 288. Strong gale and high sea.
September 5.—Lat. 40° 24′ S., long. 24° 50′ E. Dist. 267. Moderate W. gale, high sea.
September 6.—Lat. 40° 49′ S., long. 30° 44′ E. Dist. 267. Gale moderating and falling to light S.S.E. wind.
September 7.—Lat. 40° 08′ S., long. 35° 15′ E. Dist. 213. South wind variable in force and direction.