Built at Dundee by the owners A. Stephen & Son and launched on 14th June 1866 the Corona was a three-masted barque. She was surveyed by Lloyd's Register, the report of which is deposited at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. An abstract of this survey, together with much other information on early voyages to Australia, appears in Bound for Australia by David T. Hawkins. (Published by Phillimore, 1987)

Rounding Cape of Good Hope Jan 20

S Corona

Though sad we left our native land,
here joyous let us be,
and sing a blythe God speeding to,
our bark across the sea.

Then blessings on our bonny bark,
and still our prayer shall be,
God guide the ship Corona,
in safety on the sea.

Though memories fond we leave behind,
our hearts should go before,
and picture all the happy days,
the future has in store.

Our native land so dearly loved,
we never more may be,
still the shamrock, rose and thistle,
they bloom behind the sea.

Our future home though distant far,
is not a foreign shore,
’tis but a greater Britain,
where natures bounties more.

Though from dear friend we're parted,
there’s friends as dear before,
with eager hands to welcome us,
upon Australia's shore.

Then onwards on our gallant bark,
as fast as e’er ye may,
blow on, blow on, ye favouring winds,
and speed us on our way.

© Trevor Hanson 1-Jan-2006 E. & O. E.