27/10/1877 - 11/01/1878

The Torrens has always been a favourite vessel, and rather added a laurel to her wreath by turning up on Friday after a remarkably good passage from Plymouth. She took on board in London one of the most valuable cargoes which has ever been in one ship's bottom to our port, she having one hundred thousand pounds worth of general merchandise. The ship looks as well as ever, and she showed herself to be a fast sailer by her performance during the voyage. She have made over 300 miles a day on two occasions, and on 39 days she bowler off over 200 miles per day. She has had but seven days under 100 miles, and the epitome of the ship's progress show she has kept up her speed in a most remarkable way. As a general rule Captain Angel has always a good word for his crew; but on the voyage just over the sailors turned out a most unruly lot, although not equal to getting up any serious disturbance. After commotion among the men had lasted for a time the master took some decisive steps which set at rest the idea of a future outbreak, and during the balance of the passage the men were tolerably quiet, though on arrival at the roadstead their conduct was scarcely what could fairly be expected. On leaving London the vessel worked down Channel, and having touched at Plymouth took onboard her passengers and made a start with a fair wind. Off Cape Finnisterre she lost a jibboom, and then repaired damages to go on again under the influence of the west wind, which took her down to Lisbon, and from there she has made good progress. On November 28 crossed the line in 28°11'W., and on December 1 was in 10°50'S., 31°38'W. On December 15 crossed the prime meridian in 43°12'S., and on the 18th was off the Cape. She then ran up a heavy score of over 200 miles on every day. The course was kept along on 45°S., and even after passing Cape Leuwin the ship headed in for the main, and never tried northing until Kangaroo Island bore west of north. This manoeuvre is a favourite one of Captain Angel's, and on this occasion stood him in good form, as the vessel went round on the starboard tack headed up the Backstairs Passage, and made a fair wind to the roads. On the Pilot boarding the ship was taken to a berth suitable for her to avail herself of an early morning tug, when she would be at once towed into the harbour.Register 12/1/1878