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VOYAGE OF THE PRIAM 1852 continued
An account of the Priam's 96 day voyage and safe arrival survives in a newspaper article of the Portland Guardian dated Friday 27th August 1852. The particulars were supplied by a cabin passenger, Edwin Fowler, who sailed on to Melbourne. |
NEW SHIP
"The Priam is a new ship on her first voyage and so far as our experience goes, does great credit to her modelers and builders. She is owned by Henry Reed, Esq. of London, and I believe, intended for a regular trader to these colonies. Her commander is Captain Comyn, late of the 'Adelaide' of Hobart Town, who will no doubt sustain the high reputation he has already attained by untiring energy, in his duties as master, and by his attention to the health, comfort and general welfare of his passengers - qualities which were proved in our passage under very trying circumstances."
In short, the Priam was a well-built, brand new ship with an excellent captain and crew. The adverse circumstances faced were unfavourable winds and ill health which kept the ship's doctor busy.
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BECALMED
After a good run out of the English Channel, the Priam sailed south into the Atlantic Ocean past Spain. On the ninth day, the tiny Portuguese island of Madeira was sighted off the coast of Morocco in Africa. The Trade winds failed them sooner than usual and they became becalmed in the tropical sun for twelve days. In the doldrums, the ship sat motionless on an oil smooth sea that rose and fell in a terrible stomach-heaving motion. Without a breath of wind, the sails flapped and fluttered to the up and down movement of the sea. To venture out on deck bareheaded could cause sunstroke which could bring on an attack of hysteria. Fanning did little to relieve the discomfort of passengers below decks who were bathed in perspiration. CROSSING THE LINE
GREAT CIRCLE ROUTE
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Voyage of the Priam 1852 continued ...