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Steamer 'Sophia Jane' in Moreton Bay

'The Sophia Jane' arrived at Moreton Bay, on the 11th May 1839, and on the following morning proceeded up the river to the settlement, where she arrived on the Monday; on the following Thursday she left the settlement and proceeded down as far as Moreton Island (the entrance to Moreton Bay), under the lee of which, owing to the strong southerly gales, she was compelled to remain until Sunday at noon, when she weighed anchor and proceeded to Shoal Bay, the entrance to the Big river, arriving on Monday. In taking the bar she grounded, but was shortly afterwards got off without receiving any damage save the loss of a quarter boat, davit, and anchor; here she procured wood and water, and proceeded on Thursday to Port Macquarie, arriving at noon on Friday. At Port Macquarie she again took in wood and water, and at nine o'clock the same evening weighed anchor for Port Stephens. The wood procured at Port Macquarie turned out to be so green that it would not yield sufficient heat to raise the steam; the Captain was consequently obliged to unship the paddles and try to make way under canvas, but the wind being very scant the vessel drifted bodily to leeward, which rendered it necessary to bear up and steam in for Port Macquarie, arriving at 7pm. On Saturday and on the Sunday a fresh supply of wood and water was procured, and at 8 o'clock in the evening the Sophia Jane stood out for Port Stephens, arriving on the following day at 5 pm. Here also a fresh supply of wood and water was procured, and at 11 o'clock the same evening the vessel proceeded to Newcastle at which port she arrived on the following morning at 8 o'clock. Having taken in a supply of coals the Sophia Jane proceeded on to Sydney, and arrived here at 10 o'clock on Tuesday night. Captain Griffin of the Sophia Jane joined the King William and would proceed in her to the Big River.