As the distance to Australia—_i.e._, some 12,000 miles as ordinarily taken—is only about 900 miles less _via_ the Suez Canal than by the Cape of Good Hope, steamers are employed on both routes. On the 12th May, 1875, the _St. Osyth_ left Plymouth for Melbourne _via_ the Cape, called at St. Vincent for coal, and thence steamed continuously to Melbourne, reaching her destination on the 27th June. Her full steaming time was about 43½ days, the average speed attained being over 11½ knots per hour. This passage, although considered most remarkable at the time, has since been surpassed. The _Lusitania_, of the Orient line, in 1877 made the passage to Melbourne in 40¼ days, including a detention of 1¼ days at St. Vincent while coaling. Her actual steaming time was almost exactly 39 days, her average speed being only a trifle under 13 knots. The _Cuzco_, of the same line, during the summer of 1879, made the homeward passage from Adelaide to Plymouth in 37 days 11 hours, including all detentions. In the _Orient_, which was the first vessel specially designed and constructed for the Australian direct steam service, a most noteworthy step in advance was made. She was launched in September, 1879, from the yard of Messrs Elder & Co., and on her completion was tried for speed, when she attained a maximum average speed of 17 knots per hour. She has made the passage from Plymouth to Adelaide, _via_ Suez Canal, in 35 days 16 hours, and the same voyage _via_ Cape of Good Hope in 34 days, 1 hour, steaming time. [Illustration: S.S. AUSTRAL.—ANCHOR LINE. LENGTH, 455 ft. 0 in. BREADTH, 48 ft. 0 in. DEPTH, 37 ft. 0 in. TONNAGE (GROSS), 5,588 tons. BUILT BY MESSRS ELDER & CO., 1881.] The _Orient_ was followed in 1882 by the magnificent _Austral_, whose high promise was suddenly blighted for a time by an unfortunate accident. While coaling at her moorings in Sydney harbour by night, the water was allowed to flow into the ship through her after coal ports, carelessly left open and unwatched, and she thus gradually filled, and sank to the bottom. She has since been raised, brought home, and restored to her pristine splendour. She is presently engaged in the express service of the Anchor Line between Liverpool and New York, her performances being such as should gratify all concerned. The _Austral_ on her trial attained a speed of 17·3 knots, and has made the passage from Plymouth to Melbourne, _via_ the Suez Canal, in the unprecedented time of 32 days, 14 hours steaming.