No greater proof of the popularity of the _Sobraon_ and her captain can be given than the length of time both officers and men stayed in her. James Cameron, who was foreman shipwright at the building of the _Sobraon_, served as carpenter on her during the whole time that the ship was afloat—service 1866-1891.
Thomas Willoughby, formerly with Captain Elmslie in _Cospatrick_, from 1864 to 1867, transferred with his captain to the _Sobraon_ and served throughout, first as butcher and later as chief steward—service 1866-1891.
James Farrance served 16 years as A.B. and boatswain. Thomas Routledge served 10 years as sailmaker.
This length of service on the part of her petty officers is, I should think, easily a record.
And amongst well-known seamen who learnt their craft in the _Sobraon_ were—
Captain R. Hoare, apprentice to chief officer, 1872-1882 (a commander in the Orient Line and Elder Brother of Trinity House).
Captain F. Northey, apprentice to chief officer, 1867-1869, and 1874-1882 (afterwards commanded the _John Rennie_).
Captain A. E. Baker, apprentice to chief officer, 1887 (afterwards commander in the P. & O.)
Captain Elmslie also had his first and second sons with him. C. T. Elmslie, the eldest, as apprentice before going into the P. & O. and Captain A. G. Elmslie from apprentice to chief officer, 11 years from 1880 to 1891.
The _Sobraon’s_ crew usually consisted of captain, 4 officers, 8 apprentices, carpenter, sailmaker, boatswain, engineer, 2 boatswain’s mates, 26 A.B.’s, 4 O.S.’s, 2 boys, 16 stewards and 2 stewardesses—total all told = 69.
Only one voyage was made in each year, the sailing date from London always being the latter end of September and from Australia early in February.
From her immense carrying capacity, the cargo was invariably a good source of revenue. Owing to her regular sailings there was never any difficulty in getting a full hold, and this applied especially to the homeward run, when her cargo consisted chiefly of wool and wheat. It was, however, as a crack passenger ship to Australia that the _Sobraon_ was most celebrated as she never formed one of the fleet which raced home to be in time for the February wool sales. Indeed, on the homeward run she usually touched at Capetown and always at St. Helena, these breaks in the passage being very popular with passengers.