First Australian Voyage Leaves Liverpool
Great Britain departed Liverpool for Melbourne carrying emigrants and other passengers during the Australian gold rush.
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
John Gray Biography and Timeline
Follow John Gray through 31 dated historical records for Great Britain.
John Gray, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
31Distinct records
1 of 1Page
1852–1872Years on this page
1852
Australian Liner Reaches Melbourne
Great Britain reached Melbourne after a long voyage carrying hundreds of people from Liverpool.
Melbourne Visitors Tour Great Britain
Thousands of curious visitors paid to inspect the newly arrived steamship during its first Australian visit.
Gray Joins Ship As Second Officer
John Gray joined SS Great Britain as second officer in time for her first voyage to Australia.
Great Britain Calls For Coal At Saint Helena
During the first Australia voyage SS Great Britain turned back towards Saint Helena to replenish coal after fuel consumption proved greater than expected.
First Australian Voyage Carries Emigrants
SS Great Britain carried hundreds of emigrants to Victoria during her first Australia voyage as demand surged following the gold discoveries.
1853
Long Distance Steam Sailing Demonstrated
Great Britain continued Australian passenger service by combining engine power with sail on lengthy ocean routes.
Gray Promoted To First Officer
John Gray advanced to first officer aboard SS Great Britain during her early Australian passenger service.
Ship Receives Revised Square Rig
An Australian service refit altered SS Great Britain to three square rigged masts to improve economical ocean sailing.
1854
Troopship Conversion For Crimea Planned
Great Britain was selected for conversion from emigrant transport into a troop carrier during the Crimean War.
Gray Takes Command Of Great Britain
John Gray became captain of SS Great Britain in April 1854 and began a long command spanning Australian and military voyages.
1855
Crimean Troops Transported By Steamship
Great Britain carried British military personnel during its temporary employment as a Crimean War troopship.
1856
Military Troopship Service Concludes
After its Crimean service Great Britain returned for further refitting and eventual civilian employment.
Australian Refit Adds Larger Masts
Great Britain received a renewed rig of three larger masts as part of its midcentury refitting.
1857
Indian Rebellion Reinforcements Carried
The ship was used to transport troops to India during the military response to the uprising of 1857.
1858
Passenger Service Resumes After Troop Duties
Great Britain resumed civilian long distance operations after being used to transport soldiers in wartime.
1859
Australian Route Becomes Regular Service
Great Britain continued the established Australian emigrant route with steam and sail operating together.
1861
English Cricketers Sail To Australia
The ship transported the pioneering English cricket team that travelled to tour Australia.
Cricket Tour Voyage Reaches Melbourne
The England cricket party arrived in Australia aboard Great Britain following its voyage across the oceans.
Livestock Provisioned For Australian Crossing
The cricket tour sailing carried live animals for food alongside passengers and crew during its ocean passage.
Sail Only Operation Reduces Coal Use
Great Britain could lift its screw propeller clear of the water when favourable winds allowed it to sail without engine power.
1863
October Australian Passenger Crossing Begins
Great Britain sailed again from Liverpool to Melbourne with hundreds of passengers during its continuing Australian service.
October Australian Passenger Crossing Begins
Under Captain John Gray SS Great Britain remained engaged in the long distance Australia trade in the early 1860s, carrying emigrants between Britain and Melbourne.
December Australian Arrival Achieved
Great Britain arrived in Melbourne after its October departure from Liverpool with a large passenger complement.
December Australian Arrival Achieved
Captain John Gray supervised the passage of SS Great Britain to Australia during the 1860s, when the vessel had an established reputation on the emigrant route.
1865
Passengers Witness Solar Eclipse Near Brazil
Passengers on SS Great Britain observed a total solar eclipse near Brazil during a passage home from Australia.
1868
Australian Return Cargo Includes Gold
A voyage departing Melbourne carried valuable gold alongside other cargo and homeward bound passengers.
1872
October Melbourne Departure Recorded
Great Britain embarked on a return passage from Melbourne to Liverpool during its later Australian service.
Captain Disappears During Ocean Passage
Captain John Gray disappeared at sea during a return passage from Australia and the circumstances remained unclear.
Christmas Return Reaches Liverpool
Great Britain reached Liverpool on Christmas Day after a passage from Melbourne marked by the loss of its captain.
Crew Continues Passage After Gray Vanishes
After Captain John Gray disappeared at sea in November 1872, the surviving crew continued the voyage towards Liverpool, where news of his disappearance became public.
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.