| Description | The log book records her second voyage, sailing from the East India Dock, London to Cape Otway, Victoria Western Australia, via the Cape of Good Hope and the South Indian Ocean. Also charts the return voyage from Melbourne, Australia to London via the Pacific Ocean and Cape Horn. Contains daily account of journey, recording wind direction, longitudinal and latitudinal readings, nautical miles travelled, islands passed and sightings of other vessels. Includes personal comments on progress, weather and crew. Gives summary report at end of each voyage. The final report includes lists of the ships "spoken at" on the return journey, the passengers on board and the cargo (wool, copper and gold). A note on the front inner cover records the ship's complement.
The vessel was owned by John Duthie & Sons, shipbuilders and shipowners in Aberdeen between 1816 and 1925. The Australian was built in 1866 and was skippered by James Duthie. James was the eldest son of John Duthie, who, along with his brother Alexander had taken over their brother William Duthie's shipbuilding firm. Following Alexander's death, the firm was renamed John Duthie and Sons in 1863. |