The _Thyatira_, Thompson’s first composite ship, was also a very ticklish vessel to handle when wool-laden. On her maiden voyage she went out to Melbourne in 77 days, but took 96 days to get home, during which passage she gave her officers much anxiety owing to her extreme tenderness.
Captain Mark Breach’s First Encounter with his Owner.
Captain Mark Breach, one of the best known of the Aberdeen White Star captains, entered the employ of the firm as second mate on the newly launched _Thyatira_. The _Thyatira_ was on the berth for Melbourne when he joined her. On his second day aboard he was superintending the stowage of cargo in the hold, when old Stephen Thompson came down to have a look round. The _Thyatira’s_ owner happened to be smoking a fine meerschaum pipe, and young Breach, being completely ignorant of the identity of the visitor, immediately went up to him and informed him in no uncertain language that his lighted pipe was dead against all rules and regulations. Mr. Thompson, without disclosing his identity, at once apologised and returned his pipe to its case. Presently when the visitor had departed, the mate asked Mr. Breach what he had been talking to Mr. Thompson about. And one may well imagine that the new second mate was somewhat scared when he learnt that it was his owner to whom he had been laying down the law. However, the mate comforted him by telling him that Stephen Thompson had been very pleased and prophesied that he would be a good servant to the company.
Mark Breach afterwards served as mate of the _Miltiades_, then commanded the _Jerusalem_, _Aviemore_, and finally the famous _Patriarch_.
The _Thyatira_ was a very favourite ship and made some very good passages. She and the _Jerusalem_ both loaded tea home from China on more than one occasion, and made passages of under 110 days in the N.E. monsoon.
_Thermopylae’s_ career I have already dealt with fully in the _China Clippers_. Her sail plan was cut down twice in her old age, thus taking off a good deal of her speed in light weather, but even then there were not many vessels which could give her the go-by, either in light or heavy weather.
The second _Centurion_ was launched in the spring of 1869, and measured:—Length 208 ft.; beam 35 ft.; depth 21 ft. Captain Mitchell overlooked her building and was her first commander. She was a very fast ship and he always hoped to beat the _Thermopylae_ with her, but never succeeded.