16/09/1855 - 31/12/1855

The Fitzjames.- This noble ship, the arrival of which we reported yesterday, is one of the largest ships that has yet entered our harbour. Her admeasurement per register being 25 tons more than that of the Dirigo, emigrant ship, which arrived about 18 months ago. The departure from Southampton took place on the 3rd October, the passage to the Line occupying 41 days. From thence to the latitude of the Cape of Good Hope the run occupied 31 days; and from that point the ship made a most rapid passage, although she had to contend against some strong N.E. winds, reaching Port Adelaide in 26 days, and thus completing her voyage from Southampton in 88 days. No vessels were spoken possessing any interest for these colonies. On December 15, in lat.,44°S., long.121°E., an able seaman named W.Parkinson, while in the act of shaking the reef out of the maintopsail, lost his footing, and, in his fall, struck his head against the starboard davits, and fell into the sea. Every exertion was made to rescue the unfortunate man, but to no avail; it is supposed, indeed, that he was so injured, by coming in contact with the ironwork, that the case was a hopeless one. Register 2/1/1856