And now for the sequel: Within eighteen months after the purchase, this ship—notwithstanding her condemnation by certificates—under the name of the _Retriever_ was sent to Melbourne and put upon the patent slip at Williamstown for examination. After being on the slip for twenty-four hours, the first real examination, for there was neither dock or slip in those days at Port Chalmers, the ship was found all correct, certified accordingly and taken across to Sandridge Railway Pier, where she loaded a first class cargo of wool, hides, tallow, etc., consigned to the United Kingdom. For aught I know to the contrary, the _Retriever_, late _Saldanha_, is afloat doing duty yet! The second instance occurred in 1871, when the S. S. _Queen of the Thames_ was in Melbourne on her first and only voyage. She belonged to the then well-known firm of Davitt and Moore, and arrived here safe after what was, at that time, considered a remarkably quick passage of fifty-two days from London. Just a few days prior to the _Queen of the Thames_ leaving here for England, attention was drawn to the fact that she had no “long boat,” and it was suggested that she should be compelled to carry one in the interest of sea-worthiness. Her commander, Captain McDonald, became quite indignant at the idea of “colonials” daring to interfere with the equipments of his ship. In those days there was no Marine Board composed of shipowners, but there were other means of looking after the interests of “those who go down to the sea in ships,” and consequently the captain was informed that unless he obtained the requisite boat, his ship would not be allowed to clear at the customs. The following are extracts from a bitter letter of Captain McDonald’s which appeared in the _Argus_ newspaper of February 20, 1871:— “The _Queen of the Thames_ and everything about her was planned and built with a special view to the Australian passenger and mail service, and the best skill and experience procurable in Great Britain were enlisted in her service.... Although the Board of Trade, Lloyds, the Emigration Commissioners of Great Britain, etc., passed the _Queen_ with her life boats, and though she and they were highly complimented by all the authorities at home, still _your_ Mr. Gossett is not satisfied with these arrangements. He has discovered the dreadful truth that she has no long boat, and he threatens that he will not allow her to leave the port until she is provided with one.... It seems hard that a non-professional Victorian official should have the power to dictate changes in the vessel’s arrangements, and enforce these changes under such a heavy penalty as the detention of the ship would imply.”