The Chronicles of Early Melbourne/Volume 2/Chapter 42

by Edmund Finn

CHAPTER XLII.

PORT SHIPPING.

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SYNOPSIS:— Batman and Fawkner the Founders of Victorian Commerce. —Fawkner the First Ship-owner. —Harbour Nomenclature. —Fawkner's First Lighter. —The First Custom House. —Arrival of H.M.S. "Rattlesnake" with Governor Bourke. —Arrival of H.M.F. "Conway" with Bishop Broughton. —Captain Fermaner's Reminiscences. —The First Yarra Steamer. —Despatch of the First Wool and the First Mail for London. —Early Ship Signalling. —The Pioneer Steamers. —The Port Phillip Steam Navigation Company. —Visit of Captain Sir Everard Home. —Launch of the "Jane Cain." —Postscript. —An Old Colonist's Maritime Reminiscences.

B ATMAN and Fawkner were the founders of our commerce, the schooners (the "Gem" of the one and the "Enterprise" of the other) being the first two crafts laid on in the port, so, as Fawkner purchased the "Enterprise," he was our first ship-owner. Batman and Fawkner were also our first traders, because from the beginning they were engaged in trade or traffic of some sort. Batman became an importer, and was for some time the principal merchant or storekeeper, whilst Fawkner was a kind of "Johnny All Sorts," and dabbled in everything. Batman's establishment was a substantial shed-like construction, erected on portion of the site of the now Western Market, where he carried on the affiliated avocations of wholesale and retail storekeeper, shipping agent, bill discounter, broker, and money-lender, in addition to some squatting speculations. His town business was attended to by one or more of his seven daughters, efficiently aided by Mr. Willoughby, his son-in-law. The other earliest merchants were Messrs. W. F. Rucker, S. Craig, J. Hodgson, J. F. Strachan, P. W. Welsh, F. Nodin, and J. M. Chisholm. What the settlement most feared in its babyhood was a dearth of flour. But the shadowy spectrum of an incoming schooner, when descried some miles off Williamstown, would cheer up the drooping spirits of the fistful of a populace to a state of jubilation, and the messenger of plenty was always accorded a heartfelt welcome.

Grimes made the first survey and prepared the first chart of the Bay; but in 1836, Captain Hobson, whilst on a trip from Sydney to Melbourne in H.M.S. "Rattlesnake," instituted a more thorough examination.

It may be as well to state here that the whole of the harbour was named Port Phillip, after Captain Arthur Phillip, the first Governor of New South Wales; and its upper portion or head Hobson's Bay, after the Captain Hobson just mentioned. Two well known localities at the Heads were designated Points Nepean and Lonsdale, the first in compliment to Sir Evan Nepean, of the Admiralty, and the other to William Lonsdale, the first Police Magistrate and Commandant of Port Phillip. The nomenclature of Queenscliff has undergone some amusing nominal alterations. It was first called Whale's Point by Captain Woodriff Commander of the "Calcutta," the principal ship of the Collins Convict Expedition of 1803, in consequence of its formation resembling the head of a whale. It was also known as Shortland's Bluff, after Lieutenant John Shortland, a naval officer, who in 1788 accompanied "the first Fleet" to Sydney as Government Agent. Sorrento, when it formed the infant penal settlement of Collins, was officially known as Sullivan Bay and Sullivan Camp, after Mr. John Sullivan, an Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies. Williamstown was in the first instance named Point Gellibrand, after the Van Diemen's Land lawyer of that name, who figured conspicuously in the land-grabbing negotiations of Batman with the natives, and was the first to perish a supposed victim of Aboriginal assassination.

Williamstown, which would unquestionably have been selected as the chief township but for a want of anything approaching fresh water, was for a brief period a place of more importance than Melbourne. The live stock imported was landed there. For some time no provision whatever was made for the safety of vessels navigating the Bay and river, and the discharge of cargo at the appointed places was accomplished under every imaginable disadvantage.

The First Lighter.

"Johnny" Fawkner—though he could in after years affect the aristocrat when it suited his vanity to do so — was prone to the snobbish indulgence of disinterring a period when he toiled in a saw-pit in Van Diemen's Land, and used to take pride in himself as a "top sawyer." Were there nothing else to be ashamed of in his pre-Port-Phillipian antecedents, no need to blush at this, but when persons seek to make too much capital from humble beginnings, the overdoing develops into the ridiculous. Fawkner was just the sort of man for a new settlement, practically a more useful member of an incipient community than Batman, for he had health, energy, pluck and perseverance; a disposition to be doing something, and a mind so fertile in resources through the vicissitudes of colonial life, that failure in one respect was succeeded by fresh efforts in another. He was the first to place a buoy in the harbour, and, when in 1836, there was a difficulty in discharging the schooners, Fawkner essayed to mitigate the inconvenience. Procuring a whale-boat he placed it on the river as a lighter to convey goods to the few storekeepers establishing themselves around the Western Market square. This vehicle he "skippered" himself, and his first crew consisted of Thomas Halfpenny and John Harrison. Halfpenny has lately told me that the river sailors would be worried almost to distraction by the myriads of mosquitoes swarming and swooping down upon them in clouds. Fawkner wrould grin and yell like a Bedlamite, but, nevertheless, had the comfortable assurance that the venture paid, for his lighterage scale of charges was heavy. Halfpenny declares that for a time Fawkner pocketed the incredibly enormous remuneration of £20 per ton for water carriage from the Bay to the town. Though positive as to this amount, I cannot resist the conclusion that his memory must be at fault, for such a payment appears to be preposterous. In 1852-3—the raving gold fever years—river lighterage did not rise above £7 or £8. As evidence, however, that the Fawknerian enterprise answered its helm pecuniarily, may be cited the fact that the whale-boat was soon replaced by one of ten tons burden, and commanded by Halfpenny, whose chief officer, or rather man of all work, was named Cotter, a brother of Dr. Barry Cotter, historically inscribed as Melbourne's first practising physician. Increasing trade led to improved lighterage accommodation, and Fawkner's second contrivance had to make way for its betters.

The First Customs House

Was a curiously shabby out-at-elbows affair, and the first person who appeared as a public benefactor in his solicitude to provide for the safety of the harbour was the inevitable Fawkner. In August, 1836, it is recorded " that he had beacons placed at his own expense;" and in the first number of his manuscript newspaper, issued in January, 1838, there appears the following characteristic advertisement:—

WANTED by the commercial world at Williamstown and Melbourne about forty beacons (good tea-tree stakes would answer) to mark the channel for the outer anchorage to this town. Whoever shall perform the service shall be entitled to public thanks.

In 1838 the Sydney Government Gazette contained the important notification of a call for tenders for three wooden buoys for the Bay; and in 1839 it was announced that there was to be a floating light near the Heads, and the arrival of a pilot was anxiously expected. The predecessor of the present staid-looking lighthouse at Williamstown was a wooden structure, erected in 1840, though it could not be lighted up until a lamp was transported hither from Van Diemen's Land.

Fawkner's Melbourne Advertiser (9th April, 1838) complained of the wharfage neglect by the Government. At Williamstown, it declares "that persons who land must wade ashore through water and mud, or else pay for being carried through it." It averred that the Fawknerian free beacons or buoys originally fixed in August, 1835 (1836 ?), had been twice renewed at Fawkner's expense, but the boatmen used to destroy them for their own benefit. Masters of craft coming up the river had to send a boat ahead, sounding all the way, and though vessels paid port charges, there was no Government pilot.

In 1839 Melbourne was proclaimed a free warehousing port, though Geelong and Portland were not freed until 1848. Though there were as yet no such nocturnal conveniences as old boilers or gas pipes providing gratuitous "shakes down" for belated vagabondism, the wharf loafer had already come to the front, and a regulation or bye-law was issued a sort of Curfew law-warning off all loiterers after sundown, who were liable on apprehension to a fine. 'This and the other requirements of the time will be best ascertained by the publication of a waif, the first of the kind in Port Philip.

Wharf Rules and Regulations.

1. —Vessels are to remain no longer than six days alongside the wharf.
2. —The Commanders of vessels at the wharf and in the basin, are to keep a watch on board during the night, and not to allow any disorder on board.
3. —No person allowed to loiter on the wharf after sunset.
4. —No nuisance to be committed, and no rubbish or filth to be landed on the wharf.
5. —No timber, or bulky article of any description, to remain within twenty feet of the wharf's edge, nor to continue more than four days on any part thereof.
6. —No wood to be cut, or lime burnt, on the wharf.
7. —Boats are not to be permanently stationed at the wharf, and only to be there for temporary purposes.
8. —No light goods, or such as are subject to depredation, to remain on the wharf after sunset, unless under charge of some person appointed by the owner.
9. —No cattle, sheep, horses, pigs, or goats, are suffered to remain on the wharf, except for the purpose of landing or embarking.
10. —Any person violating any of the above regulations, is subject to a fine of twenty shillings.

This ukase was, with some modifications, extended to Williamstown.

On the 26th October, 1835, the "Norval," chartered by the Batman Association with 500 sheep, arrived in the Bay, and the stock was landed at Gellibrand's Point (Williamstown). In the same vessel arrived 50 pure Hereford cows, consigned to Dr. Alexander Thomson, the afterwards well-known Geelong identity.

In April, 1836, the "Francis Freeling" arrived from Hobart Town with 800 sheep, purchased by Mr. Joseph Sutherland for two guineas each, and they were disembarked on the coast, some half-way between Point Henry and Indented Head. Half of them died through drinking salt water, and the rest were rushed and carried away by the blacks, though a large proportion were subsequently recovered through the exertions of Mr. Sutherland, Mr. F. Taylor, and others of the party.

The "Prince George," revenue-cutter, and H.M.S. "Rattlesnake," arrived with Government officers from Sydney in 1836. Mounts Martha and Eliza were so named by a Rattlesnake" lieutenant, after Mrs. Batman and Mrs. (Captain) Lonsdale.

The barque "Stirlingshire" arrived from Sydney on the 6th October with a curious combination of Customs and Survey officers, a head constable, a detachment of soldiers, and a gang of labour convicts. Mr. Robert Russell (1888) remains the sole surviving member of this remarkable expedition.

In January, 1837, the Indemnity" and "Henry," with sheep, arrived from Launceston. The quadrupeds were landed at a place named Point Henry after one of the vessels. On the 3rd March, 1837, H.M.S. "Rattlesnake" made its appearance with Governor Sir Richard Bourke and his suite from Sydney.

On the 14th September, 1837, the "James Watt," the first steamer, arrived from Sydney, bringing as passengers Captain Fyans (the first Police Magistrate at Geelong), Dr. Cussen (the first Colonial Surgeon), and Mr. John Hodgson (well-known in after years in several public capacities). An advertisement in the first number of Fawkner's manuscript newspaper (Melbourne Advertiser), 1st January, 1838, announced the projected departure in the following month of the fine fast-sailing ship, "Hartley," 400 tons, for London; but this intention was not carried out.

The same publication (15th January) records that on the 21st December, 1837, during a heavy gale, the "Thistle," from Launceston, parted both her chains at Port Fairy, but that "the presence of mind so inherent in our brave seamen was possessed by Captain Mills," who succeeded in getting sail on the vessel, and ran his ship so high on the beach as to save everything on board.

The "Eudora," from Van Diemen's land, arrived 10th November, bringing as visitors two worthy Quaker missionaries, viz., George Washington Walker and James Backhouse, who, during a short stay, exerted themselves laudably to render the few residents God-fearing and temperate, but they did not succeed quite so much as they deserved.

In April, 1838, H.M.F. "Conway" (Captain Bedon) arrived from Sydney, with Bishop Broughton as a passenger. The frigate remained some days in the Bay, and was visited by most of the townspeople, who were much pleased with the courtesy shown them. It is reported that the ladies were especially smitten "by the very kind and flattering behaviour of the officers." On the 18th the captain entertained the two or three Government officers of position in town at dinner, and next day started off with the Bishop for Hobart Town.

I was recently interviewed by an "old salt," who supplied me with a variety of curious information, from which I select the following for present publication:— His name is David Fermaner, a native of Lewisham, in Kent, was bred to a seafaring life, and on 17th March, 1833, he arrived in Sydney, as one of the crew of the ship "Lady Nugent," with convicts. In June he passed on to Launceston, and whilst in Van Diemen's Land, knew Batman, Fawkner, and other ancient historical personages. In 1834, being employed on a whaling cruise, the vessel in which he served put into Portland, and he was there in November when the Henty party landed. During the subsequent years he was engaged in the Intercolonial trade, with an occasional turn at whaling, and on 24th December, 1837, whilst on board the "Thistle," schooner (the vessel in which the senior Henty voyaged from Swan River), she was wrecked in a gale at Port Fairy. The skipper (J. B. Mills), not being much of a sailor, Fermaner, who was mate, did the best he could, but the craft had to be abandoned, whilst the captain, mate, and two seamen named Ferris and Jennings, struck out in a whaleboat for Hobson's Bay, where they arrived in safety. Fermaner was the first licensed waterman at Williamstown, and in 1842 was appointed by Governor Gipps, pilot at Port Albert. As such, and as Acting Harbour-Master, he continued in the Public Service until 1876, when he was superannuated on the plea of old age, though now (1888) over 70 years of age, he is smart, wiry, active, and apparently as capable of work as if twenty years younger. He assures me that the "James Watt," referred to in the shipping chapter, a good sized paddle-boat, was the first steamer that traded between Melbourne and Launceston so early as 1838. Previously engaged between the Clyde and London, the vessel was despatched to Australia to ply between Sydney, Launceston, and Melbourne, but there was not sufficient business, and after making two or three trips to Melbourne, the "Watt” was sent on to China. Captain Fermaner also relates the following circumstances:— A whaling captain named S—————— (name forgotten), whose brother now resides in the neighbourhood of Mount Macedon, wishing to transfer his family with some bullock-drays and stores from Sydney to Melbourne, chartered the schooner "Sarah" (then at Williamstown), for the purpose. When sailing for her destination the "Sarah's" long-boat was forgotten at Williamstown, and the craft herself went her way and was never after heard of. A brig, named the "Britannia," was soon after driven ashore near Frankston, but being got afloat, was brought up the Yarra and refitted for service. As she had no long-boat, the one belonging to the "Sarah" was procured and placed on board. The "Britannia," with a cargo of wool, was despatched to Sydney, but instead of going there she came to grief on the way and disappeared. The long-boat was picked up at sea by a revenue-cutter sent from Sydney in search of the "Sarah" and "Britannia," neither of which vessels was ever after seen or heard of. The "Sarah" and the "Britannia" were two of the five vessels mentioned in Chapter 43 as having been wrecked in or near Bass's Straits in 1839-40, and in one or other of which was the white woman, afterwards detained by the Gippsland Aborigines. Captain Fermaner is now at Williamstown, in charge of the yacht "Taniwha," belonging to Mr. P. Turnbull, the only survivor of a once well-known old mercantile firm in Melbourne.

The First Yarra Steamer

Was not inaptly named the "Firefly," William Pearson, Commander; and on the 28th October, 1838, she commenced to ply as a regular daily trader between the ports of Melbourne and Williamstown. She condescended to carry passengers for 2s. 6d. per head each way; goods 8s. per ton; and towing vessels for £5 per job. This apology for a steamboat was a half-rotten, incommodious old tub, more disposed to buzz than to fly, and with more smoke than fire in its composition. She lumbered away for a time, not much to the advantage of either her proprietary or the public; yet she continued in possession of the river until January, 1840, when her flying was put an end to, her fires put out, and her engine put to more profitable use by being transferred to a sawmill at Brighton.

In November, 1838, a Captain Tobin started business as a private pilot, and his first engagement was to bring the Launceston schooner "Industry," from Launceston, to the Melbourne wharf. The craft drew eight and a-half feet of water, and Tobin got through his work very creditably on the 20th.

On the 3rd January, 1839, there arrived the barque "Hope," from Sydney, with 130 immigrants (including 30 women and 50 children), a detachment of military, and four recently appointed assistant protectors of Aborigines. The four officials imported between them families amounting to twenty-two children, an acquisition in peopling an infant colony.

The first wool ship for England was the "Thomas Laurie," for London, on the 15th January, 1839, with 400 bales, and other cargo valued at £6,500. This vessel carried home the first direct English mail.

In May, 1839, the "Industry" arrived from Launceston with a cargo of flour, just in time to avert a famine, as the stock of flour was almost out, and the price was £59 per ton.

The Louisa Campbell," barque, Buckley, for London, cleared outwards on the 30th May, with 740 bales wool and 25 tons bark. On the evening previous Captain Buckley was entertained at a public dinner in the British Hotel, William Street, at which Messrs. H. N. Carrington, W. Meek, J. Hodgson, P. W. Welsh, C. Williams, and others attended.

It is a remarkable coincidence that the two first vessels sailing direct from British ports arrived in Hobson's Bay on the same day (17th June, 1839), and both grounded coming up from the Heads. They were the barques "Midlothian," from Leith, and the "William Bryan," 500 tons, from London. These mishaps occurred through want of pilots. The Scotchman was in first.

On November 11th the "Strathisla" arrived from Adelaide with 50 Timor ponies.

November witnessed two arrivals which, from the future of some of the colonists who came in each, are deserving of special mention, viz. On the 12th the "Parkfield," barque, from Sydney. Passengers Mr. and Mrs. F. Manton, and 3 children, Mr. and Mrs. James Montgomery, and 4 children, Mr. and Mrs. R. Ocock, and 4 children, Messrs. R. Deane, Parbury, S. A. Donaldson, Jas. Cooke, R. Barry, Brewer, Rose, R. Brown, A. Hogue, W. F. Mollison, Murray, Mason, J. Brown, Chisholm, Webster, Marshall, Sewell, Simpson, N. Black, with 26 in the steerage. 15th.—From Plymouth, having sailed 24th July, the ship "William Metcalfe" (Phillipson) with emigrants. Cabin passengers: The Rev. J. Y. Wilson, wife and two children, Miss Barber, Messrs. John and George Coldham, J. B. Were, wife and two children, D. Jennings and wife, G. Playne, T. W., P., and H. Cobb (3), F. Forbes, G. Thomas, A. Suchet, A. and G. Arden, T. Dunsford, A. O'Mullane, M.D., Surgeon Superintendent. Intermediate Mrs. C. Liardet and five children, Mr. J. Orr, five sons and one daughter, Messrs. H. and J. Scott, R. Wyld, John Matthews, Jane Cross and Rhoda Newell (Messrs. Were and Jennings' servants). Steerage: 157 adults and 28 children, equal to 168 adults.

If the cabin, intermediate, and steerage passengers in these two ships were put together and shaken up, there would be found amongst them, as the sequel proved, as strange an agglomeration, good and bad, as could well be imagined. Some of them acquired high name and fame, and their lives form part of the history of this new country; others of them ran to seed as swindlers and bolters, whilst two of them attained the grey hair stage in the seclusion of Pentridge.

Trade was rapidly increasing, and in the early part of 1840 twenty vessels used to be seen at one time in the harbour; but much inconvenience was felt through the want of an accredited pilot, and ship signalling stations at Melbourne and Williamstown.

On 6th January the brig "Caroline," 200 tons, from Sydney, made her way to the Melbourne wharf, and as she was the largest vessel that had up to that time ventured so far, she fired a salute to commemorate an event so notable.

On the 26th June, 1840, a notification was issued from the Harbour-Master's office, signifying that "after the 1st August, 1840, a plain stationary light would be shown from sunset to sunrise from a lighthouse erected on the extremity of Gellibrand's Point, Williamstown, Hobson's Bay, visible five leagues in clear weather from any safe position to the southward."

The Flagstaff.

One of the eminences which enabled a not unerring peerer into futurity to predict that the Melbourne of no distant date would be a seven-hilled city, is the area now known as the Flagstaff Gardens at West Melbourne. Originally it was known as Burial Hill, from the establishment there of a small cemetery wherein half-a-dozen individuals were provided with a last earthly resting place. It was a bleak, shelterless hillock, away in the country, and absolutely treeless. It was for a time difficult to decide as to the best position for a signal-station. Batman's Hill was suggested, but it was too low, and the timber-growth between it and the beach was then such as to impede the view to Williamstown, where a responding signal-station was to be founded. The site of the now New Law Courts was also mentioned, but the elevation was thought to be insufficient, and so finally the north-western Hill was selected. In September, 1840, was commenced what was regarded as an important public work. The staff was raised and rigged in form like the mainmast of a ship, and on the 13th it appeared in full dress, with the ensigns of various nations flaunting in the breeze from truck and yardarms, and ribbons in profusion coiling round and fluttering from the upper cordage It was a fine Sunday, so the whole town turned out to look at and admire all the finery, dancing in wild confusion between earth and sky. Ere the end of the month it was officially intimated "that from and after the 11th October, the time would be indicated by the hoisting of a black ball, and dropping it at noon." But the elaborate, semaphoric, and chronometrical arrangements contemplated, were speedily disarranged by an amusing miscalculation of the required staff altitude; and when the signalling test was submitted to practical application, the spars were found to be too low for the Bay signalling. Matters, therefore, had to remain in abeyance until loftier timbers were obtained. The unshipped materials were transhipped to Williamstown, where they were raised, and did the flag flying work tolerably well for a while. The code of signals by which the Melbourne establishment was worked, is now to be found only in some three or four old Directories in the colony. They were ten in number, and though difficult enough to be remembered, the old inhabitants were, as a rule, well versed in such nautical lore, as everyone then felt a keen interest in shipping arrivals, especially those from British and European ports, for by such means only was intelligence from the fondly cherished Home-country to be obtained. A ship in sight was proclaimed to the townspeople When the class of vessel was ascertained the flag was by a chequered flag raised to the masthead. struck and a ball hoisted on the yard, and its position east or west told the rig of the approaching visitor. For a Queen's ship the Union Jack was flown in addition to the ball over the indicating flag; and for an emigrant vessel (most prized arrival of all) there was a chequered flag added to the indicating one.

When a vessel anchored during the night, or arrived too late to be signalled in the evening, the ball was lowered; the flag remained on the yard two hours afterwards; and the flags were hoisted as soon as the particulars could be ascertained in the morning, and remained in suspension for two hours. The indicating ensigns were thus distinguished:—

Flags.		Pendants.
1. Red—England.		1. Red and yellow—Sydney.
2. Red and White divided horizontally—London.		1. Red and yellow—Sydney.
3. White and red ditto—Liverpool		3.White, red, and yellow—Launceston.
4. Red and blue ditto—Scotland East.		4. Yellow, blue, and white—South Australia.
5. Blue and red ditto—Scotland West.		5. Blue, yellow, and red—New Zealand.
6. Blue—Ireland.		6. Blue—Swan River, King George's Sound, or any port of Australia.
7. White—Europe (Continent).		7. Blue and yellow—Port of Australia Felix, West.
8. White and Blue, divided horizontally—America, North.		8. Red and yellow chequered—ditto East.
9. Blue and white ditto—America, South.		9. Blue, yellow, and black—Whaling, or South Sea Islands.
10. White and blue, divided vertically—Africa.
11. White and red—Asia.

Many a cherished recollection of times past is associated in the minds of the few surviving old colonists of 1888, with this Flagstaff Hill, as it was the pleasantest outside place in Melbourne for a Sunday or week-day evening stroll. The reported incoming of an English ship would draw crowds there, and they stared with anxious, wistful gaze as the ship beat up the harbour, yearning for the home letters, of which she might be the bearer, of good or evil news, the harbinger. In the June of 1847, quite an unprecedented occurrence took place, for on one day no less than five English vessels arrived. People could scarcely believe it possible, and the next day the newspapers crowed themselves hoarse, and in grandiloquent notes of interrogation, vauntingly demanded if ever such a thing had been known in the Australian colonies, and prognosticating almost incredible consequences for Port Phillip in future. In five or six years after (1852-53), through a totally uncounted agency, Port Phillip waters were rushed by the mercantile marine of the civilized globe, and Hobson's Bay was frequently anchoring ground for hundreds of vessels of every country and flag.

The Pioneer Steamers.

The beginning of December, 1840, witnessed an arrival, the most remarkable of the notabilia of our early shipping annals, for on the 5th, the steamer "Clonmel," 250 horse power, and 500 tons, made her appearance in Hobson's Bay. She was sent from England for the Sydney, Melbourne and Launceston trade, and her coming was hailed as a significant indication of the importance which the Australian colonies were assuming in the commercial mind of the Mother-country. The most exalted notions were entertained as to what the "Clonmel" would do for Port Phillip-notions doomed to be shattered in the wreck of the steamer, which occurred on her second trip from Sydney. She left Sydney on the 1st, and made the passage here in seventy-two hours. The day after her arrival (Sunday the 6th) was scorchingly hot, and crowds from Melbourne had a broiling tramp of it through the burning sands to Sandridge to view the interesting stranger. The "Clonmel" left for Launceston on the 7th, returning on the 14th, and steamed back to Sydney on the 16th, but she did not enter Port Phillip waters again. The fares by her to Sydney were thus notified:— Ladies, £12 125.; gentlemen, £12 125.; on deck, £6.

On the 9th January, three-master berthed there. 1841, the "Augustus" barque, 160 tons register, arrived, being the first The second river steamer was the "Governor Arthur," a small craft, which was laid on between Melbourne and Williamstown, making two trips each day (except Sunday), Fares:— cabin, 3s. 6d.; forecastle, 2s.; and freight, 10s. per ton. In May, a Mr. F. Pitman, one of the mercantile fraternity evinced sufficient public spirit, to have a small stage or platform formed at the wharf or mud bank, to enable vessels to discharge—a privilege conceded only upon payment of £1 10s. each. The same month great fears were entertained for the safety of the "Augustus" (before mentioned), which had sailed from Sydney. She turned up all right, after being thirty-four days out. Provisions and water had run to so low a level with her that on her arrival the last bag of biscuits was nearly eaten, and for three days the only beverage procurable was bottled ale.

A second steamer arrived from London, which shared a better fate than the "Clonmel." This was the "Corsair," 450 tons, via Adelaide, on 28th May, in charge of Captain Fox, an ex-East India Company Officer. She was placed on the Melbourne and Launceston route, with very beneficial results to all parties interested. The "Sea Horse," 500 tons, Captain Ewing, soon followed, as a regular trader between Melbourne and Sydney. The first steamer between Melbourne and Geelong was the "Aphrasia," leaving one day and returning on the morrow. The fares were £1 cabin and 12s. steerage, with a scale of freights, sliding from £1 10s. for a horse to 5s. for a dozen of poultry. She left on her first trip amidst the plaudits of hundreds of spectators, and made the passage in five hours, allowing for some delay in taking in firewood in lieu of coal. The inhabitants of Geelong were so beside themselves on her appearance in the (then) beautiful bay of Corio, that they honoured the event with a feu de joie of musketry.

Attempts were gradually made to erect small premises for boat repairing, and by degrees, three of these not considerable establishments acquired the nominal distinction of being known as docks. One was owned by a Mr. Charles Chessel, another by a Mr. Kell, and a third by a Mr. Kruse. The scanty requirements of the port were efficiently ministered to, and so early as 1842 we hear of a spruce little steamer, the "Vesta," being fitted up at the south bank of the river, and launched there in the presence of several hundred spectators. She was imported by Mr. Frederick Manton, an early merchant and mill proprietor in Flinders Street.

The Port Phillip Steam Navigation Company.

Directors for Melbourne—J. D. Lyon Campbell, P. W. Welsh, Arthur Kemmis, Hugh Jamieson, G. W. Cole, W. Langhorne, C. Howard, J. Graham, and J. Cropper, Esqs.

Directors for Geelong—G. D. Mercer, A. Thomson, D. Fisher, and N. A. Fenwick, Esqs.

Directors for Sydney—W. S. Deloisse, and E. Manning, Esqs.

Secretary and Treasurer—Arthur Kemmis, Esq.

Agents—Messrs. Arthur Kemmis and Co.

This Company was established in January, 1840, with a capital of £20,000. The first steamer, the "Aphrasia," was built at Williams River, New South Wales, and arrived in Melbourne in the early part of 1841. Other vessels were chartered, and during the few years the Company existed, it contributed much towards accommodating and increasing the business of the port.

At end of 1841, the following steamers were in the Melbourne trade:—

The "Sea Horse" (Captain Tallan), twice each month between Melbourne and Sydney.

The "Corsair" (Captain Bell), chartered by the Port Phillip Steam Navigation Company, twice a month between Melbourne and Launceston, suiting as far as practicable her days of departure to the arrival of the "Sea Horse."

The "Aphrasia" (Captain Lawler), the property of the Port Phillip Steam Navigation Company, twice a week between Melbourne and Geelong, leaving the former at 10 a.m. every Wednesday and Saturday, and starting on return same hour on Thursdays and Mondays.

On the intermediate days, the "Aphrasia" plied between Melbourne and Hobson's Bay, chiefly in bringing the cargoes of vessels to Melbourne.

The "Governor Arthur," twice a day on week days only, between Melbourne and Williamstown.

On the 1st May, 1842, the "Vesta," belonging to F. Manton and Co. was put on between Melbourne and Williamstown-on week-days three trips per diem, and a trip to Geelong every Sunday. The following notice from Stephen's Immigrants' Almanack for 1842, in reference to the early Port Philip steam communication, is well worth reprinting, and cannot fail to be perused with interest at the present period of quick and frequent passages and low fares:—

Steam Vessels.—Steam communication between Sydney, Port Phillip, and Launceston. In order to afford every facility to passengers between the above Ports, the following arrangements will be as nearly as possible observed:—

The "Sea Horse" will leave Sydney, 8th, Melbourne, 15th, Sydney, 24th, Melbourne, 31st, of each month.

To agree with the above, the "Corsair" will leave Melbourne, 15th, Launceston, 22nd, Melbourne, 31st, Launceston, 7th, of each month.

Fares:—"Corsair"—Cabin passage, exclusive of wines, spirits, &c., £6; Steerage passage, exclusive of wines, spirits, &c., £3; "Sea Horse"—Cabin passage, exclusive of wines, spirits, &c., £12 17s. Steerage passage, exclusive of provisions, £5.

The Aphrasia" starts for Geelong every Wednesday and Saturday, at 9 a.m. Leaves Geelong every Monday and Thursday, at 9 a.m. Fares.—Cabin, exclusive of refreshments, £1; Steerage, exclusive of refreshments, 10s.

"The Governor Arthur" quits the Queen's Wharf daily at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., and Williamstown at 12 noon and 5 p.m. Fares.—Abaft the funnel, 3s. 6d.; Before the funnel, 2s. 6d.

A pleasurable incident happened on 11th June, 1842, when Mr. Benjamin Boyd, an eminent Sydney merchant, arrived from England in his pleasure yacht, the "Wanderer," 180 tons. She anchored off Sandridge, and many went from town to see her. The owner came ashore, and was made much of, and feasted and fêted by the then Melbourne Club. Boyd's Australian career was brief and brilliant. Of large means and no small enterprise, his intentions in various ways were broad and venturesome, and amongst his projects was the settlement of the territory known as Twofold Bay, where a few ruins, the remains of what was once known as Boyd Town, perpetuate his otherwise forgotten name. In 1850, Mr. Boyd and his "Wanderer" wandered away to California, then giving incipient symptoms of its famed golden eruption, but the master never returned. On the voyage back, the vessel touched at the Solomon Islands, and Boyd's evil destiny prompted him to go ashore on a shooting excursion, attended by a black boy, but nothing after was heard of either of them. They were supposed to have been murdered by the natives, and after futilely waiting for a considerable time and receiving no tidings from the island, the "Wanderer" put to sea and sailed to Sydney. Subsequently, a human scull, declared to be Boyd's, was obtained by a ship-master calling at the island; it was taken to Sydney, where on examination it was conclusively ascertained to be the head-piece of an Aborigine.

Wharf Improvements.

The disgracefully neglected, or rather untouched north bank of the Yarra, was one of the earliest grievances, and so far back as the 11th May, 1839, a public meeting was held, at which a deputation consisting of Messrs. P. W. Welsh, S. J. Brown, and John Hodgson, was delegated to represent to the Police Magistrate (Captain Lonsdale) the absolute necessity for doing something towards rendering the wharf even partially available for landing cargo; and though he promised to do all in his power (which was but little), nothing came from the remonstrance, until the authorities began to feel so much ashamed that a commencement was made in the way of some slight improvement, and in September a few piles were driven as a small beginning. Some trifling change for the better was very reluctantly and tediously effected; but, in 1842, private enterprise endeavoured to remedy, in a small degree, Executive neglect, by Captain Cole and Mr. James Dobson starting the construction of private wharves on purchased land off south-west Flinders Street.

A somewhat rare cargo of live stock arrived in the Bay in October, per the "Georgiana," barque, from Rotty and Timor. She started with a freight of 112 ponies, but no less than 78 were lost during the passage. 3rd December, 1842 (the Saturday after the first Town Council elections), is noteworthy in consequence of its being the first occasion of a steamer pleasure trip down the Bay. The "Corsair" was put on for that purpose, and, as a Municipal commemoration it was well patronised. The fares were-Saloon, 15s., and 12s. 6d. for families; second cabin, 10s. 6d. and 7s. 6d. A déjeuner a la fourchette was included.

On the 23rd June, 1843, H.M.S. "North Star," 26 guns, Captain Sir Everard Home, arrived from China, and the Commander and Officers were welcomed by a grand ball, got up specially in their honour by a private assembly then in being. The festivities came off at the Royal Exchange Hotel, Collins Street, and passed off in an exceedingly gratifying manner.

Towards the end of 1846, the machinery of the old "Governor Arthur" steamer superannuated, was taken out and worked in a new steamer belonging to Captain G. W. Cole; it was called the "Diamond," and plied for years between Melbourne and Williamstown.

On 27th January, 1848, the "Jane Cain" (the property of Captain James Cain, a well-known merchant) was launched from the South bank of the Yarra basin in the presence of some 5,000 persons. For the occasion a sumptuous lunch was provided on board for over a hundred visitors.

In January, 1849, a jetty was commenced at Sandridge; and in a year was completed. It was 400 feet long by 15 feet wide. Its cost was about £1,000, and at high water the small steamers lay at the end in about 8 feet of water.

On the 7th November the "John Thomas Foord," 790 tons, from Plymouth with immigrants, anchored in the Bay. During the voyage there were several deaths from cholera, and she was ordered into quarantine.

In December the keel of a steam dredge, to cost £1,150, was laid down at Chessel's, intended to be employed in deepening the Yarra.

At the commencement of 1850 there was being manipulated behind the gaol the granite stones for a lighthouse tower, under a contractor named Morgan. It was to be of circular form, 13 feet in diameter, and about to feet in height. Several years previously, a jetty had been commenced at Williamstown and the piling was only now finished. It was 220 feet in length, and there was a 6 feet of water depth at low tide for 50 feet.

In 1850, the "Victory," from Glasgow, was stranded off Point Lonsdale. The parties could not agree as to the amount of salvage to be paid, and, under an English Statute then in force, a Board composed of Messrs. R. W. Pohlman, B. Heape, and E. Westby, was appointed to adjudicate, when the following award was made: 115 to the master and crew of the Government schooner "Apollo," £145 to the master and crew, and 250 to the owners of the "Aphrasia" steamer.

Captain G. W. Cole had built at Kruse's yards, a smart little screw propeller named the "City of Melbourne." It was launched on the 20th February, 1851.

Towards the close of the year a well-merited compliment was offered to Captain George Gilmore, of the steamer "Shamrock," a favorite trader between Melbourne and Sydney. He was entertained at a public dinner, and presented with a handsome sovereign testimonial, commemorative of his having accomplished one hundred trips between the two capitals.

No record can be found of the inward and outward shipping before 1837. In that year, the inward tonnage numbered 12,754, as against 13,424 tons outward. In 1851 there were 712 arrivals of 129,426 tons, against 658 departures of 111,005 tons.

Harbor Dues.

The following were the first enforced in Port Phillip:—

For every vessel	under 100 tons		£0 5 0
"	of 100 tons, and under 200 tons		0 10 0
"	200 tons, and under 300 tons		0 15 0
"	300 tons, and under 400 tons		1 0 0
"	400 tons, and under 500 tons		1 5 0
"	500 tons, and upwards		1 10 0

Customs Charges.

For every steam-vessel, employed in the coasting trade, from one port of New South Wales to another 1s. 3d. entry, and 1s. 3d. clearance.

For every vessel registered in Sydney, and so employed, if above fifty, and not exceeding one hundred tons, 4s. entry, and 4s. clearance.

For every such vessel so employed, if above one hundred tons, 10s. entry, and 10s. clearance.

For every ship or vessel, 15s. entry, and 15s. clearance.

Lighthouse Dues.

On every ship or vessel above fifty, and not exceeding one hundred tons, employed in the coasting trade, from one port of New South Wales to another	2	0
On every steam-vessel, the ton register measurement	0	0¼
On every other ship or vessel, the ton register measurement	0	2

Postscript.

An old colonist has favoured me with a maritime memo, written from memory, and full of interesting gossip. Though there may be discrepancies between it and my own published résumé, it will be found substantially correct, and extremely readable. It may also be mentioned that some of the incidents detailed are dated later than 1851, the period when my Chronicles are supposed to terminate:—

"One of the earliest, if not the first, passenger vessel which arrived in Port Phillip was the ship 'John Barry,' from Sydney, which cast anchor in Hobson's Bay, on 1st March 1839, after a fine run of 10 days.^[1] She conveyed to this colony a large number of passengers, including Dr. Patterson, the first Immigration Agent here. A few weeks prior to this, a large number of emigrants had arrived in New South Wales, which caused employment to be very scarce; and, as the new settlement at Port Phillip was opening up then, the Government offered a free passage to any who wished to try their fortunes there. Some hundreds availed themselves of this opportunity and took passage in the 'John Barry,' and among these were natives of England and Wales, Ireland, north and south, with Scotland, including the Highlands. Amongst the Caledonians were five families named Macdonald, and the captain numbered them off as Macdonald No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. There was only one small steamer, named the 'Firefly,' running from Hobson's Bay to Melbourne, and as the terms were too high, the captain landed the men and boys at Liardet's Beach (now known as Sandridge) whence they walked into town; while the women, children and luggage were put in the largest ship's boat and towed up the Yarra by a smaller craft manned by eight sailors. Their progress was slow, and it was 11 o'clock at night before the basin was reached. Much difficulty was experienced in obtaining accommodation, as there was only one small house building in the town then, a two-roomed brick place, situated, and still standing in a lane opposite the Theatre Royal. The new arrivals had many obstacles to encounter, and provisions were high, flour being £70 per ton. A large schooner named the 'Industry,' from Hobart Town, was then lying in the basin. As the population increased, trade improved, and numbers of vessels arrived direct from England and Scotland, bringing many passengers; but according to the land Regulations all the purchase-money was devoted to Immigration. In the course of two or three years so many immigrants arrived from home that employment became very slack, and hundreds were out of work. There was much distress, and the Government gave employment to men, making a road from Emerald Hill to Sandridge. "Many of the immigrants, including a number of young single women, were located in tents near Batman's Hill, and the services of the latter were offered to any one providing them with food and clothing. During 1840 and 1841, several fine vessels made their appearance in the Bay, including a splendid ship named the 'York,' formerly a frigate in the Government service. Very old colonists may recollect the sensation caused in 1841 by the arrival of immigrants by the 'India,' which took fire on the passage from England to this colony. After burning for some hours, and when several lives had been lost, a French whaler hove in sight and rescued the remaining passengers taking them into Rio Janeiro, whence they were sent on here. They arrived in an utterly destitute condition, but the townspeople soon collected sufficient funds to put them in a comfortable condition.

During the dull times it was quite an event when an English arrival took place, and the inhabitants would gather en masse at the flagstaff to watch the vessel drop anchor in the Bay. Shipping was so sparse then, that at one time in 1846, there were only three schooners and one barque at anchor, and the only occupant of the Queen's Wharf was the 'Ellen and Elizabeth,' a small schooner of 28 tons, which then traded to Portland Bay. The largest sailing vessel that came up to the Queen's Wharf in the olden times was the brig 'Britannia,' which had taken fire in Hobson's Bay. She was bought by a ship carpenter named Watt, and brought up the river; but as there were no means of repairing her in this port, she was patched up and sailed for Sydney, but was never heard of again, and was supposed to have foundered on the Ninety Mile Beach, on the Gippsland coast.

"The first steamer that ever ran on the river was the 'Firefly.' She was succeeded by the 'Governor Arthur,' which came from Hobart Town in 1840, and was worked between the town and the Bay and ran for several years. The next steamer was the 'Aphrasia,' from Sydney, a smart article, which was in the Geelong trade for a time, and was highly thought of by the public. She was used as a lighter up to a few years ago. The first steamer built on the Yarra was the 'Vesta,^[2] an iron paddle-steamer imported by the Messrs. Manton, from England, and put together opposite the Queen's Wharf. She was launched in fine style, decorated with bunting, crowded with people, and Tickel's band merrily playing 'Off She Goes.' The largest steamer that came up the river in the early times was the 'Corsair,' a paddle-steamer of about 500 tons, which formerly sailed between Belfast and Glasgow. She appeared at the wharf early one Sunday morning in 1841, and surprised the people by blowing off steam. She had come from Sydney on a trial trip, but never tried to come up the river again, as she was aground for three weeks on the bar at the river's mouth on her way back to the Bay, there being generally only a depth of eight feet of water at that time. What a difference from the present time, when large vessels drawing 17 feet can easily come up to the wharves.

"Ship-building to a moderate extent was carried on in these times. A small steamer named the 'Diamond,' built on the banks of the Yarra, was in the Hobson's Bay trade for years; also a smart schooner named the 'Teazer,' and some smaller vessels. But the most ambitious attempt was the building of a barque named the 'Jane Cain,' a vessel of 292 tons register, and intended for the London trade. When the day arrived for her launch, the vicinity of the Queen's Wharf was crowded by thousands of people anxious to see the great event. The Temperance Band commenced playing 'Off She Goes,' and the vessel began to move; but after running a few feet stuck fast, to the great disappointment of the assembled crowd, who after waiting until dark, slowly dispersed, and the 'Jane Cain' remained on the stocks for several days before she was moved off. She made one trip to England, but as she was too deep to come up the river, she was put into the African trade, and lost sight of.

"The first screw steamer seen in the colonies was the 'City of Melbourne,' 139 tons register, built on the Yarra. The engines had been imported for a mill, and at first did not act very well, for when she started on her trial trip to the Bay she proceeded at a snail's pace, and many thought she would have been a failure; but she did better after a while, and ran to Launceston until she was wrecked on King's Island. She was afterwards usefully employed as a lighter. The swiftest paddle-steamer of the olden times was the Thames,' brought from Hobart Town, and ran successfully in the Geelong trade until she was lost off Point Cook. The first screw steamer from the old country that arrived here was the 'Keera,' which came by way of Sydney. The steamer 'Shamrock' for some years was the only regular trader between Sydney, Melbourne, and Launceston, under the skilful supervision of Captain Gilmore. The 'Christina,' brig, Captain Saunders, was very well known between Melbourne and Sydney. Her genial and much respected commander, who was afterwards in the 'City of Melbourne' and 'Clarence' steamers, was, until lately, a resident of this city. The 'Scout,' a clipper brig, Captain Gwatkin, and 'The Raven,' a fine brig, Captain Bell (both of whom are gone) traded to Launceston; and the schooners Flying Fish' and 'Circassian' (Captain Smith) traded to Hobart Town. There were other vessels in the Sydney and Tasmanian trades, but those mentioned were the most regular traders. It was quite an event to see two brigs, such as the 'Christina' and 'Raven' at the wharf at the same time, and many would look forward to the time when an increased trade would necessitate a ship canal, and perhaps full-rigged ships might be moored at the wharf. One of the former city surveyors of Melbourne, Mr. Blackburn, made a comprehensive plan of a ship canal which has not been beaten by later schemes."

Mr. Charles Chessell has furnished me with the following:—

"I feel myself particularly well qualified to speak on the subject of the shipping of the early days of Tasmania and Melbourne. I had the ship-building yard at Paddock Point, Hobart Town, where I built the 'Maria Orr,' to the order of William Morgan Orr. This was the first square-rigged vessel built in Tasmania. The frame of the steamer, the 'Governor Arthur,' was forwarded from England to Tasmania. She was built for the purpose of trading between Kangaroo Point and Hobart Town, but as her owner thought that the Melbourne trade would be more profitable, I was engaged to fit her with false sponsons to enable her to carry sail across Bass's Straits. After trading between Melbourne and Williamstown for some time, she took fire, her deck and top sides being burnt. I had settled in Victoria in the meantime, and was again called in to repair her. Her trade, however, never paid, and she was eventually purchased by Captain G. W. Cole, who purposed placing her engine in a new steamboat, the 'Diamond,' which was built by me to his order, and was the first steamer built on the Yarra. Before the 'Diamond' was constructed, Mr. John Manton determined to convert the 'Fairy Queen,' lighter, into a steamboat. With this end in view he placed in her an engine from his brother's flour mill; a brick chimney was built to act as a flue. To celebrate the transformation, a pleasure party assembled on board for the purpose of taking a trip to Williamstown. Starting from near the 'Falls,' the current took her smoothly down the river as far as the junction, the engineer and passengers fondly imagining she was a model boat. But, alas for human hopes! a brisk breeze and the incoming tide now met us, and she immediately came to a standstill. After much excitement and discussion it was decided to put about and return to Melbourne, but the current that helped us down now hindered our homeward journey. Those who formed the party, and if now alive with memories green, will well remember the episode of the man who, to increase the steam pressure of this most peculiar marine engine, stood on the weights of the safety valve. They will also see in the mind's eye an excited fireman and passengers pulling the individual off, who was about to give them a gratuitous passage to ethereal regions. The outcome of the trip was that the crew had to track and warp her back to town. It is needless for me to say that the chimney and engine were soon taken out, and she became once more a lighter. The 'Griper,' the first steam dredge built in Victoria, and now used deepening the Yarra, was built by me at Chessell's dock. She was launched in the presence of His Excellency Governor Latrobe. The Elizabeth' was the first schooner built on the Yarra. She was constructed by me to the order of Charles Dean. The timbers of this vessel were obtained from the flat near the Sandridge Lagoon."

1. Another writer—Mr. B. Rose, of Nar Nar Goon—places the "John Barry's" arrival on the evening of the 30th April.—Ed.
2. I am indebted to Mr. J. J. Lander, of Grey Street, East Melbourne, for the following, which differs slightly from the above:— The very first vessel that was ever built on the banks of the Yarra, viz., the "Yarra Yarra" barge, was an ugly square-head and square-stern sort of structure, that would hardly be used to carry out silt at the present day, but which was very useful and profitable at the time she was engaged in the lightering trade between Williamstown and Melbourne. She was built by Messrs. Manton and Walker, who were at that time in a large way of business in Melbourne as merchants, to do their work until the "Vesta" steamer arrived, which latter was not delivered in Melbourne for over two years after she was ordered. Messrs. Manton and Walker had induced a Captain J. C. Lander, who was connected with them in squatting pursuits in New South Wales (as superintendent of a station there, with an interest in the profits) to throw up sheep-farming to come to Melbourne and take charge of the "Vesta;" but as she was so long on the way they had to find him another vessel, and the building and launching of the "Yarra Yarra" was the result. I think the "Yarra Yarra" was launched in the latter part of 1841.—(The Author).