When appointed to transport convicts to Western Australia in 1855, William Hammond was still considered a new ship, and had an A1 rating.
William Hammond left Portland on 24 December, but shortly afterwards a sailor named John Gollately fell overboard while trying to stow the jib.
Another sailor, John Deady, attacked the Chief Mate, David Kid, saying it was his fault the man fell overboard.
The only other incident occurred on 28 January, when Kid was found to be drunk on his watch, having accessed the stores of rum without permission.
Convicts transported on board William Hammond include: The ship's log of Captain Horatio Edwards is extant, as is George MacLaren's surgeon's journal for the voyage.