Eastern City outward-bound in the Channel off the Downs

Built at New Brunswick, New Jersey, U.S.A. in 1853 and registered at 1368 tons gross, Eastern City, under charter to the Black Ball Line and captained by Captain D. Johnstone, left Liverpool for Melbourne on 10th July 1858 with 180 passengers, 47 crew and 1000 tons of general cargo. Whilst in the South Atlantic, she caught fire between 23rd-26th August, 1858 and was totally destroyed. Fortunately the transport Merchantman, bound from London to Calcutta with troops, answered her distress signals and saved all except one man, landing them safely at Table Bay. The courage of the captain in such dangerous circumstances was subsequently recognised when he eventually returned to Liverpool.