The _S.S. Alert_ left Melbourne at mid-day on Saturday, December 23rd, 1893. Proceeding down Hobson’s Bay we called at Portsea and Queenscliff, and finally cleared through Port Phillip Heads at 5.30 p. m. We had moderately fine weather along the coast and rounded Wilson’s Promontory at 4 a. m. on Sunday. Four hours after, we reached Port Albert, lay there all day, discharged cargo early Monday morning (Christmas Day), and sailed at 7.30 a. m. for Gippsland Lakes. Had moderate sea and cloudy weather along the “90 mile beach” and got to Lakes entrance about 4 p. m. Proceeded up the lakes, called on the way at Metung and Paynesville, and arrived at Bairnsdale, our destination, at 8 p. m., in the midst of a heavy thunderstorm. Next day, Tuesday, being Boxing Day, no cargo was put out. On Wednesday, 27th, discharged all cargo and shipped a small quantity of wattlebark, wool and some cases of furniture, the latter belonging to Mr. Deasy, inspector of police. We sailed same day at 2 p. m. for Melbourne, having three passengers on board, one, Mr. J. Newton, in the saloon, and two in the fore-cabin, whose names I did not then know, but I have since ascertained their names were Stewart and Page. There were several other passengers expected but they did not turn up. On the way down the lakes, we called at Metung and shipped a little more wattlebark, making our cargo as I have since been informed, in all about 44 tons. Just before dark we passed out through the Lakes entrance. Outside we met with misty weather, a smooth sea and a light breeze from the south-west. At 2 o’clock on Thursday morning (28th), I was awakened by the stopping of the propellor—I slept in the stern sheets immediately over it—I went on deck to see what was the matter, and was informed that, owing to the thick weather, the red light on Cliffy Island could not be picked up. We lay “hove to” for nearly four hours, then, as the wind rose and lifted the fog we found we were well on our proper course. The ship was again kept on her way and we rounded Wilson’s Promontory a little before 7 a. m. Soon after, the wind chopped round from south west to south-east, enabling us to set the trysail and staysail. We passed through between the islands all right and then fell in with a heavy rising S.W. swell and a choppy sea from S.E. This caused the vessel, being very light, to get very lively and take on board large quantities of heavy spray. At 8 a. m. the crew came for their breakfast, but the steward told me that no one in the after part of the ship wanted any breakfast. I was not surprised at this as I had often seen the _Alert_ make things so lively that no one on board required anything to eat for the time being. I went forward to ask whether the two steerage passengers wanted breakfast, but they would not have any. About 11 a. m. when off Cape Liptrap, the sea was very much higher, but we did not give much heed to this as we had always found it a bit rougher when passing headlands.