What would have been the best route to take to travel from England to Australia in 1880's?

Question

Say why and what would have been a bad route and why. What was a common route. Tell me about ships that did a bad route. Just lots of info and state a source if possible.

Answer 1

There is a band of wind called the Roaring Forties that runs around the bottom of the world. Sailing with those winds, instead of against them, is the logical way to go. Therefore, south through the Atlantic to ~40 degree south, and hang a left under the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa and across the Indian Ocean.

A couple of pleasant stops at Rio and Capetown and a fast trip across the bottom of the world.

Answer 2

If I were in no hurry and wanted to save money, I'd probably book passage on one of the clippers sailing between Southhampton and Sydney. My reasoning would be to take an opportunity to ship on a great ship in the dying days of commercial sail.

If I needed to be in Sydney by a certain day, I'd take one of the P&O Steam Packets sailing around Good Hope. Smelly and sooty, but they kept regular schedules.

If I were in a real hurry, I'd take train to Dover, a ferry to Calais, and another train to Marsailles. From Marsailles, I't take another P&O Steamer for Sydney via the Suez Canal. I'd expect to arrive at least one to two weeks ahead of the steamer rounding Good Hope, and perhaps a month ahead of the clipper.

Doc Hudson