The cargo she had on board when she left Metung, (Gippsland Lakes) her last port of call, consisted of 25 tons wattle bark, 20 bags maize, 14 empty casks, 40 bales wool, 55 sheepskins, one box tools and 20 packages furniture. In all estimated about 44 tons. With regard to her draught of water when on the fatal voyage, it is alleged that she was drawing 9 feet 6 inches aft, and 5 feet 9 inches forward. Complete list of the persons on board the _Alert_ at the time of the disaster. DROWNED— Albert Mathieson, captain, age 35, married, no children; residence. St. Vincent-street, South Melbourne J. G. Hodges, chief officer, 32, married, no children; Yarraville. J. Mattison, second officer, 43, single; South Melbourne. J. Thompson, chief engineer, 48, single: South Melbourne. J. Kilpatrick, second engineer, 33, married; one child; Williamstown. J. Dodd, steward, 32, married, one child; Carlton. T. Thompson, A.B., 45, married, two children; South Melbourne. J. Williamson, A.B., 27, single; South Melbourne. J. Arthurson, A.B., 25, single; South Melbourne. J. Coutts, A.B., 42, married, three children; South Melbourne. W. Thompson, fireman, 30, single, Williamstown. D. McIvor, fireman, 28, single, Balaclava. J. Newton, saloon passenger, 29, single; Beechworth. W. Stewart, steerage passenger, 60, married, seven children; Collingwood. — Page, steerage passenger, Steiglitz. SAVED— R. Ponting, cook, 30, married, no children; South Melbourne. [Illustration: Sailing ship] CHAPTER V. THE VOYAGE. The hapless vessel can no longer steer. Free from the floods that burst in dread career O’er her trembling hull, she dips in each sea, And then she sinks! fill’d solely from the lee. _Anon._ The subjoined narrative is given, as nearly as possible, in the words of Robert Ponting, the sole survivor.