Hi Mariners, I am trying to learn more about the subject vessel and its crew. In the Sydney Morning Herald, 17 July 1854 p.2 it is indicated as being chartered by the Government Emigration Commissioners. >> Emigration to Australia.-The ship Marshall Bennett, with Government emigrants, left Southampton last week for Geelong. The Navarino will shortly leave the same port with Government emigrants forAdelaide. The Government Emigration Commissioners have chartered the Black Eagle for Melbourne, the Moffatt, for Portland Bay, and the Confiance for Adelaide. >> I have it on TSL, sailing from Liverpool 25th June 1854, arriving at Melbourne 19th October 1854, 1,853 tons, old measurement. http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/aust1850s.shtml Then this Ad in The Argus, Monday 13 November 1854 p.1 For Callao direct.-The fine AI clipper ship BLACK-EAGLE. 1468 tons register, J. Gemmell, Commander, will positively sail for the above port on Tuesday, 14th Inst. Has a few cabins still disengaged.. DE PASS BROTHERS and CO., agents. Here is the 1854 arrival on the Argus Friday 20 Oct. 1854 p.2 ... SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. ARRIVALS. October 19. - Black Eagle, ship, 1468 tons, John Gemmell, from Liverpool 16th July, with 301 Government emigrants. D. McCosh, Surgeon Superintendent, John Gemmell, agent. I have her sailing again to Geelong, in 1857 but I couldn't find a detailed arrival report so I'm not sure whether John Gemmell was still the master and her tonnage is now shown as 1,250, new measure. http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/1858-1859.shtml I do believe I have found the right John Gemmell, as Mate in 1851 Name: John Gemmell Estimated Age: 28 Birth Date: 5 May 1823 Birth Place: Paisley, Renfrewshire Issue Date: 19 May 1851 Issue Port: Glasgow Certificate Number: 40.437 ... then Master 21 May 1853, Certificate Number 8.424 I then find him In the 1871 census for Kent with a wife and the first two of his children born in the Seychelles, the others in Kent. The birthdates of the children fit well with the two Australia trips. I cannot find him or his family after that, and absolutely nothing about the BLACK EAGLE, or any of her crew, so if anyone is able to expand on my knowledge about this vessel or any of her crew, I would appreciate it. Thanks, Sue -- TheShipsList Website http://www.theshipslist.com/