>From The Courier [Hobart, TAS], 27 March 1855 - SHIPPING NEWS. HOBART TOWN THE BLACK BALL CLIPPER OCEAN CHIEF. More than usual stir has been created in the port by the arrival of the Ocean Chief, the first of the Black Ball line of clippers despatched by Messrs. James Baines & Co., of Liverpool, under the Bounty system. The universal attention bestowed upon this noble craft has induced us to throw together the following particulars: She left the Mersey on the 11th January, passing the Rock Light at 2.30 p.m., the steamer having her in tow left on the 12th at 2 p.m. ; From the 11th to the 17th January she experienced very heavy gales, accompanied by rain. On the last mentioned day the Ocean Chief sighted a fleet and exchanged signals with the ship Vision at 9.30 a.m., Madeira lying then S.S. West distant 50 miles. Every ship was standing to the westward, except the Ocean Chief, but as soon as this vessel passed the fleet every one tacked and stood the same way as the Ocean Chief, lat. 33° 43' north ; long. 17° 16' west. On the 18th she spoke the clipper schooner Sverge, a private vessel belonging to Sir John Tobin, 13 days from Liverpool, on her passage to Benin. On the 26th February by the violence of the wind the mainsail was split to pieces, the gale on the 28th being most terrific and squally, and it was as much as the ship could do to stagger under double-reefed main topsails, until about ten at night, when the squalls moderated. There was no other circumstance of note to be mentioned as having occurred during the voyage, and this splendid vessel, her passengers in good health, and herself in good condition, came to anchor in the stream off Hobart Town about half-past five on Sunday night. This gives her but 72 days 7 hours from anchor to anchor. [The Ocean Chief sailed from Liverpool 11 January 1855, arrived 25 March, 370 adults and 114 children under 14 in steerage. 10 deaths and 8 births. Captain T. J. Tobin of Black Ball line.] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dennis Ahern | Immigrant Ships Transcribers Guild, Irish Maritime News Acton, Mass. | http://immigrantships.net/newsarticles/newsarticles.html - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -