John Finlay Duff

John Finlay Duff (1 April 1799 – 18 May 1868)[1] was a ship's captain and businessman in the Colony of South Australia.

On his next voyage to Australia, the barque Africaine left London Docks on 28 June, but without Captain Duff, who was to be married the next day at St Botolph's Aldgate.

Africaine left for the mainland on 6 November, Duff having decided not to wait any longer, encountered William Light's brig Rapid at Rapid Bay, and Light was welcomed aboard Africaine, then moved on to Holdfast Bay, arriving before the Buffalo.

Duff was immediately commissioned to set sail for Hobart for urgently needed supplies, incidentally making useful business contacts in Van Diemen's Land.

Both had substantial land holdings; Duff purchased one of the original town acres at the corner of Currie Street and West Terrace and larger properties near the city.

They returned to South Australia as fellow-passengers on the Asia with Dr. George Mayo, with whom he developed a long-lasting friendship, arriving in July 1839.