26/06/1865 - 22/09/1865

The Murray, of the Orient Line of Packets, was looked for somewhat anxiously on Thursday and Friday, as in the ordinary course of events on those days she should make her appearance. It was therefore an especial subject of gratitude to Captain Smart's friends when she was sighted on Friday afternoon shortly before sundown; and Captain Johnston, of the Goolwa, was so firmly convinced of the identity of the vessel that he took a passage off in the shipping reporter's boat, and boarded the Murray when a little above Glenelg. Last year she was in command of Captain Legoe, who relinquished charge to his chief officer, Mr.Smart, in full confidence that the early reputation of the vessel would be sustained, and the task has been well accomplished, for not only do the passengers speak in most favourable terms of the master, but extent the eulogy to the officers, in whose praise their testimonials in the advertising columns which fully set forth the particular occasion when all the energies of each were called forth and exerted to the very utmost. The voyage of the Murray from London commenced with a succession of bad weather, against which she beat down to Plymouth, and having embarked passengers, sailed on the evening of July 1st and for several days encountered strong southwest winds, passing the Equator on July 29th in longitude 24° W. Soon after this an incident occured, which for startling effect is uncommonly like an act in a sensational drama; for on August 1st, when in the S.E. trades, heavy squally weather set in, which necessitated the vessel being laid under double reefed topsails, and finding that she would not keep out of the wind the order was passed along to reef the driver. With alacrity the seamen laid along and passed the reef pendant, but had scarcely commenced tying the points before the topping-lift parted and a sudden roll of the ship pitched two seamen over the lee quarter. The lee davits were occupied with a lifeboat fitted with Clifford's Patent, and in two minutes she was lowered with the second mate and a volunteer crew, who pulled towards the spot where the life buoys had been thrown to the unfortunate men. Though under close canvas, the vessel was wore round, with a look-out at each masthead, to pick up, if possible, the lost men, and for two hours the efforts were unavailing. At on time the vessel was within 150 yards of one of them, who had secured a buoy; and Mr.Swan, the chief officer, jumped overboard, with a line made fast to his waist, to attempt his rescue; but the violence of the sea, coupled with the weight of the line, exhausted him so completely that he was hauled on board in a complete state of exhaustion. During the whole of the exciting period Captain Smart conned the vessel carefully, and after an interval of two hours the lifeboat was picked up, she having saved one of the men, but the other was irrecoverably lost. This catastrophe marred the pleasure of the passengers, and for some time a gloom rested on the ship, but it ultimately became partly dissipated towards the conclusion of the voyage. The distance form the Line to the Cape occupied 40 days; but across the southern parallel she made some admirable work, accomplishing the run in 28 days. She arrived at the anchorage last night, and will proceed into harbour this morning. Register 23/9/1865