Hi Jeanette.
The month listed on the shipping lists (inwards) on the PROV site is the month the ship arrived, i.e. June.
Here are some mentions of the Shalimar in The Times in 1856:
21 Feb 1856 Court of Exchequer, Feb 20 Parrott V. Pilkington Discontented pbuttenger brought a case against the owners of the Shalimar (belonging to the White Star line) for poor conditions and food on return voyage to England in 1855. Pbuttengers awarded 37l. 10s. Let me know if you'd like more details.
03 Mar 1856 Advertisement for Australian Royal Mails (White Star Line), incl. Shalimar (1,467 tons), Capt. J. R. Brown, to sail 20th. March. I can send you copy of ad if you're interested.
24 Mar 1856 Same ad but to sail 23d Mar.
Note: I could find no mention in Ship News of Shalimar's date of departure from England.
11 Sep 1856 Latest Intelligence "The Shalimar had arrived in Melbourne on the 23d of June, damaged by a gale."
19 Sep 1856 White Star Line Advertisement lists Shalimar to sail to Melbourne 20th Dec.
15 Oct 1856 Ship News Melbourne, July 9. "Shalimar is very leaky, but cannot be docked, in consequence of her being too large for the dock."
Original records held at PROV should provide further info on the Shalimar's arrival in Melbourne. You may be lucky enough to find a description of the voyage (as I did for Reliance in 1850).
As Ken said, Log of Logs (vol. 1, 2 and 3) and definitely worth a check.
Another avenue is reports of ship arrivals in Melbourne newspapers. Not sure where you are, but if in Melbourne, a trip to the State Library newspaper room is well worth the effort.
regards,
Martin Elliget Fig Tree Pocket QLD Australia
(Jeanette Brentnall)
