This fine steamer, recently arrived from Liverpool, having been built there by Laird, especially for the Clarence River and Sydney trade, arrived from her first trip, Thursday at 7 o'clock. The passengers speak highly of her comfortable accommodations and sea-going qualities. She sailed from Sydney to Grafton at 5 p.m., on Saturday the 3rd instant, and at 11 a.m., on Monday, arrived off the Clarence River Heads. Although having to contend nearly the whole of the way with a strong N E wind, Captain Wiseman sailed close along the bar, and was disposed to enter, but just at the time the pilot signalled that the tide had turned, consequently it would be unsafe. She had, therefore, to lay off till 8 a.m. Next day, when she crossed the bar, and reached Grafton at 11 a.m.

The inhabitants of the township, who are all more or less interested in the ship, assembled in great great numbers on the banks of the river and gave the worthy Captain three times three hearty cheers which were duly responded to by those on board.

It was intended that she should leave for Sydney on Wednesday, but, at the request of the local shareholders, it was deferred until Saturday. On Thursday she steamed with a party of seventy down the river, as far as the Elbow. A sumptuous luncheon was provided, and several toasts were proposed and responded to. At 6 o'clock the vessel returned to the wharf, all being highly delighted with their day's excursion. During the day, to show the estimation in which Captain Wiseman is held by the inhabitants, and the confidence they have in his judgment and ability, as shown daring the many years he commanded the William the Fourth and Phoenix steamers, sailing to this district, a purse containing seventy-five sovereigns was subscribed and presented to him, with a suitable address.

The Grafton sailed on Saturday the 10th, at 7 a.m., reaching the Heads at 10 o'clock. The sea was not so rough on the bar at the time but that the passage might have been made, but as Captain Wiseman had been so long absent from the river, he was anxious to judge for himself, by close observation, the present state of the bar for his future guidance. Unfortunately, the following day, Sunday, there was a strong S.E wind, with a heavy swell from the east, the sea beating heavily across the Heads, rendering it impossible to attempt the passage, and continued in this state until Sunday the 18th, on the morning of which day, at 7 o'clock, she put to sea, arriving at the wharf next night at 7 a.m. ; this performing the distance from the Clarence Heads in 36 hours, the last ten hours against a strong southerly breeze.

This vessel must be a great acquisition to the district, inasmuch as combined with her fast sailing qualities, she can carry under hatches, 220 bales of wool, 300 sheep, 14 horses, &c., &c.

The William the Fourth crossed the bar on Sunday morning last. The Tom Tough, Maria, Erin, Sarah Ann, and Sable Chief, remained bar bound.
Shipping Gazette and Sydney General Trade List of 26 Mar 1855.