THE STORM KING This fine clipper ship arrived in Brisbane Roads at 8pm on January 17, on her second voyage to this port with immigrants, after an excellent run of 83 days from the Lizard.
This passage out,
in point of speediness was surpassed by the previous one, and her last homeward journey was accomplished in 88 days to London Docks. On the present occasion she was unfortunate in meeting adverse winds after rounding the south-east of Tasmania.
Ships important leaders:-
She is still commanded by Captain G Holden, who appears to be as great a favorite with his passengers judging by how they parted with him on Wednesday. The immigrants were under the superintendency of Dr R.G.Roper who is making his first voyage in that capacity. Miss Wale acted as matron, and had charge of the single women.
Overview of births, deaths and illness
This passage, as regards the passengers, has been a pleasant one generally and there has been but little sickness, and that of an unimportant character. Three deaths of infants have taken place from infantile disorders, and there have been 3 births.
Arrival details
The Settler was engaged to bring the passengers to town on Wednesday, the government steamer Kate being laid up for repairs. She left Rall’s wharf about 7 am and returned to the Queen’s wharf, about 4.30pm.
Changing of the guard
Those who were acquainted with the late chief officer of the Storm King, Mr Ralls, will be pleased to know he has been promoted to the ship Marlborough, also belonging to the Black Ball Line. Mr Lindsay has succeeded Captain Ralla as chief officer of the Storm King.
The Storm King had on board 342 souls equal to 317 1/2 statute adults.
The nationalities of the passengers are –
English 233; Scotch 22; Irish 84; natives of other countries 3. Of these there were 102 assisted, 81 free, and 56 remittance passengers.
Occupations
Among the free and assisted passengers are to be found persons of the of the occupations named below.:-
Female domestics. 45; farm laborers, 55 ; shepherds,3 ; plumbers,2; gardens, 3; butchers,2; miners,3; quarryman,1; blacksmiths,10; hatter,1; curriers, 2; carpenters, 15; wheelwright, 1; shipwright, 1.
Men women & Marital status
There are 37 married men, 38 married women, 142 single men, 82 single women. 17 boys, 20 girls, 3 male and 3 female infants.
Captain Holden has furnished us with the following details of his passage:-
The Storm King left Gravesend on October 21, 1969 and next day passed through the Downs. The pilot left ship off the Owers on the 23rd October. She took her departure from the Lizard at 10pm on October 25, wind at the time form west southwest. Across the Bay of Biscay she had strong southerly winds, which carried her as far as 60 degrees N. She passed to the westward of the Madeirs, Canary, and Cape de Verde Islands and sighted the Island of. St. Paul. From 6.0 N she had very light variable winds, and did not cross the Equator until Nov 16. She had fresh south-east trades and sighted the Islands of Fernando, Narone, and Trinidad, and on December 9 crossed the Meridian of the Cape of Good Hope. The easting was made between 44th and 46th parallels of South latitude, and on January 5 she rounded Tasmania, being then 72 days out. From there she had a dead beat against a northerly wind until she was off Sydney. There she fell in with a southerly burater, which was accompanied by high running seas. Off Cape Byron, when the decks were filled and the port lifeboat was torn out of the davits. This was the only accident of consequence on the voyage. (although I will later describe an incident that was not told to the media of the day) At 8 am on the 17th she sighted Cape Moreton and at 11 am rounded to and received Mr Sholl the pilot, who then took charge and brought the ship up to Brisbane Roads, where she anchored at 8 pm, having accomplished a very fine fair weather passage in 83 days.
The following vessels were spoken by the Storm King.
November 5, ship City of Athens from Glasgow to Calcutta 17 days out 9.20N 24.0W
November 6 Edward Caldwell from Canopee Is to Queenstown. 77 days out, 11.7N and 29.33 W
November 8 sighted the Richard Brandon , steering south.
November 11 ship Howard from Madras to London 78 days out in 6.0 N & 31.0 W
Nov 24 ship Scalcote from London to King George’s Sound 23.0S 28.13W
Nov 24 Dunbar Castle from London to Port Phillip Bay 82 days out
Nov 25 ship Klutherin from Liverpool to Bombay 54 days out ?1.24S 27.17W
December 23 Ship Queen Bee from Otago to London 89 days out 41.24S 86.36E