21/12/1875 - 10/04/1875

The Aldebaran arrived shortly after the City, but left home some few days before her, having taken departure on December 21. The Island of Madeira was sighted on January 16, and after some very heavy weather it was pleasant to proceed towards the Line with fair trades. On January 29 crossed the Line in 25° 50’, and after several days’ calm had south-east trades. On March 6 was off the Cape in 40°S., and made a good run across, reaching the meridian of the Leuwin on April 1. Derelict.- About as ill favoured an obstacle as could be desired to meet with on the ocean was seen by the Aldebaran during her passage. It was in 31°30’N., 18°58’W., there she fell in with a large barque, having her maintopsail and foretopmaststaysail sat, but no a soul on board. There was the barque drifting about on the ocean, and a French steamer which had boarded her reported her to be the Annie Kimball, of Liverpool, in ballast. She had been abandoned by her crew, but for what reason it was impossible to guess, seeing there were only 15 inches of water in the pump well. She was a wood ship, and had been newly sheathed with Muntz metal, and it is difficult to suggest how she was left alone on the waste of water. Register 11/4/1875.