Her first trip to Australia was performed with unusual rapidity. It is true that, on this passage, she encountered very heavy weather: a violent hurricane carried away her topmasts, and for a short time crippled her; but the damage was quickly repaired at sea, and notwithstanding this mishap, the _Suffolk_ arrived in Australia in an unusually short time, and could bear to be favourably compared with some of the finest vessels afloat, which had started at the same time. Captain Martin had displayed such skill, and had shewn such energy in circumstances that were fraught with much danger both to passengers and cargo, that, upon his return to England, the mercantile portion of the city of London presented him with a handsome testimonial as a mark of their esteem. A sum of more than £500 was presented to him. An interesting story stands connected with the first voyage of the _Suffolk_. While she was in a dismantled condition, and her crew were repairing damages, an American vessel, also bound from London for Melbourne, spoke the _Suffolk_, and offered assistance. Captain Martin courteously declined, whereupon the American Captain said he would report the _Suffolk_ on his arrival at Melbourne. Captain Martin replied, that he had better take care the _Suffolk_ did not report _him_. The vessel proved that Captain Martin’s confidence in his ship, and in his own seamanship, was not ill-founded. The American Captain reached Melbourne after what he considered a rapid passage, and the day after his arrival called on the agents of the _Suffolk_ and reported having fell in with her. They thanked him, and asked would he like to see Captain Martin, who was in the next room. The American Captain was much surprised to find that the _Suffolk_ had arrived five days before and reported him.