VICTORIA. [From the Melbourne Argus, Feb. 15.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 899, 15 March 1854, Page 3

VICTORIA. [From the Melbourne Argus, Feb. 15.]

The American steamship Golden Age r 3000 tons, under the command of D. D. Porter, Esq., of the United States' Navy, anchored in Hobson's Bay yesterday morning, about halfpast ten, having come through the Heads at nine o'clock on Monday evening. This magnificent steam -ship has made the passage from Liverpool in 51 days anJ 3 hours; r tinning time. She left Liverpool on the evening of the sth December, and has been detained in port eighteen days coaling ; her running time to the Cape being twenty-seven days and eight hours, and during that r un she was favored with but about four days' fair winds. From the Cape of Good Hope her passage promised to be within twenty-two days, but the coals were found to be of very inferior quality, and it was deemed necessary to run her under very low steam. When abreast of King George's Sound, the wind having been for three days strong from the eastward, with » heavy sea, and every probability of its continuance, Captain Porter judged it prudent to haul up for that port, where a good supply .of coals was in readiness. The running time from the Cape to King George's Sound, was eighteen days and a half. At one o'clock, p.m , on the 9th instant, she left that point against strong east winds and heavy seas, and these continued during the greater part of the run to Hobson's Bay, which occupied the period of five days and seven hours. It is therefore evident, that the Golden Age has experienced very unfavourable weather throughout the passage, and there can be no doubt, but that, under ordinary circumstances, she would have reduced the actual running time by six days. No accident of any description has occurred on board during the passage, and the engine has never been stopped at sea since she first left New York. She has performed the entire distance from England with but little more than one-half of her power ; and supposing coals were now on board, she would be ready to proceed on a return voyage to England in two hours ! This arises from the fact of her needing no repairs or overhauling. The Golden Age brings 145 passengers for Melbourne, and 43 for Sydney. She carries about 5000 letters and a large number of newspapers for Melbourne, as well as a large mail for Sydney. She draws only 13 feet of water, and the vhole of her accommodations are spoken of in the highest term", and her whole management appears to reflect the utmost possible credit upon Capt. Porter, as well as the whole of the officers.