The _Samuel Plimsoll_ was launched in September, 1873, and christened by Mrs. Boaden, wife of Captain Boaden, in the presence of Samuel Plimsoll, Esq. Captain Boaden left the famous _Star of Peace_ in order to take _Samuel Plimsoll_ from the stocks. She came out as a double topgallant yarder and was specially fitted for emigrants.
On her maiden passage she took out 180 emigrants. Leaving Plymouth on 19th November, she had poor winds and very light trades to the line, which was crossed on 11th December in 29° W. The meridian of Greenwich was crossed on 2nd January, 1874, and the Cape meridian four days later. Her best run in the 24 hours was 340 miles, and between the Leeuwin and the S.W. Cape, Tasmania, she was only four days. On the 17th January she overhauled and passed the _Alexander Duthie_, and finally arrived in Port Jackson on 1st February.
Whilst loading for London she was thus advertised in the _Sydney Morning Herald_:—
100 A1, 1444 tons. reg. R. BOADEN, late of the _Star of Peace_, commander.
This magnificent vessel has just completed the passage from Plymouth in 73 days, and having a large portion of her cargo stowed on board will leave about 7th April.
As this vessel has lofty ’tween decks and large side ports, she offers a good opportunity for intermediate passengers, of which only a limited number will be taken. Carries an experienced surgeon.
For freight or passage apply to Captain Boaden or to Montefiore, Joseph & Co. Wool received at Talbots.
From the very first _Samuel Plimsoll_ proved herself a very fast ship. Her best performance was 68 days to Sydney from 190 miles W.S.W. of the Bishops, when commanded by Captain Henderson, who had been chief officer on her first two voyages, and left her to command the _Wave of Life_, _Moravian_ and _Thermopylae_, eventually returning to her as commander in 1884.
_Samuel Plimsoll’s_ logs show that she revelled in the roaring forties. In 1876, when in 41° S., she ran 2502 miles in eight days, her daily runs being 348, 330, 301, 342, 320, 264, 340, 257. In 1883 she averaged 278 miles in 13 consecutive days, her best being 337. In 1895, when homeward bound, she ran from 49° 50′ S., 179° 05′ W., to 55° 25′ S., 79° 59′ W. in 15 days, 29th November to 12th December, her daily distances being—244, 286, 263, 259, 261, 273, 302, 290, 257, 253, 274, 264, 314, 235, 245—equalling 4020 miles.