Western Empire, Immigrant Voyage to Victoria 1871

Her arrival was reported in the The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Sat 9 Sep 1871 Page 4 MURRAY AND MURRUMBIDGEE RIVERS. ^[1]

THE clipper ship Western Empire, with Government immigrants and warrant passengers - in all 418 souls - arrived in Hobson's Bay yesterday afternoon. This ship - from her roomy 'tween decks and her sound and seaworthy condition - was chartered last year to bring emigrants out to this colony, and the high character the ship and all concerned gained on that occasion for the admirable condition in which the passengers were landed, led to her being taken up again this year for the same purpose. As if to exceed the reputation acquired on that voyage, the ship has come into port in even better order, and her large living freight is in the best of health. The immigration agent (Mr. Lesley A. Moody) and the senior immigration officer (Mr. D. W. Gosset) boarded the ship yesterday on arrival, and had a thorough inspection of the passenger accommodation. The apartments in the 'tween decks for the single women, married couples, and single men, were found scrupulously clean and evidently had been kept so throughout the voyage, and the lavatories, hospitals, &c., were in equally select order. To this desirable result the passengers themselves had greatly contributed, and no small credit is due Captain Clark, Dr. Barry, surgeon superintendent, and Mrs Bowes, the matron, for their excellent supervision of so large a number of people. Many immigrant ships have come to this port, but for berthing space, fitted up with a studied regard for the thorough comfort and convenience of the passengers, and for an appearance of unimpeachable cleanliness visible throughout the vessel, the Western Empire has not yet been surpassed. Captain Clark has of course had the experience of years in large passenger ships, and Dr. Barry also has had the medical oversight of many immigrant ships, so that it would be indeed singular if the condition of affairs on board were otherwise than satisfactory. The passengers are apparently of a most respectable description, and are classified as follows :-Married persons, 76 ; single men, 92 ; single women, 159 ; boys, 47 ; girls, 38 ; and infants, 6. There were two births on the voyage, and one infant died. Of the voyage, Captain Clark reports leaving Plymouth on June 4, and meeting with moderate light winds to the equator, which was crossed on July 3 in long. 27 deg. 30 min.W. The winds in the trades latitudes were light, and on the 60th day out the ship passed the meridian of the Cape of Good Hope, in lat. 44 deg. S. Very unsettled weather prevailed in running down the easting, and when off the Cape the ship encountered very heavy gales from the S.E. shifting into S. and S.W. , and had several sails blown away. After landing her passengers the ship will be berthed at the railway pier, Williamstown, to discharge cargo. In which there is a large consignment of slates and railway iron.

Sources

1. ↑ Trove, NATIONAL LIBRARY OF AUSTRALIA, The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Sat 9 Sep 1871 Page 4 MURRAY AND MURRUMBIDGEE RIVERS., https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5854776

• Public Record Office Victoria, Unassisted passenger lists, (1852-1923) Record Series Number (VPRS): 947, WESTERN EMPIRE, 1871, https://prov.vic.gov.au/index.php/explore-collection/explore-topic/passenger-records-and-immigration/unassisted-passenger-lists