What is meant (in “the Shipping News) by; “arrived from the river for… Sierra Leone”. I’ve seen this more often now since reading all the Shipping News columns, but with different ports ?
Thank you all once more for the really good advice you’ve given me. 
MAPS
Simply, it means that the vessel has entered dock from the river. In this case from the river Thames. She would then discharge cargo and begin loading for the next voyage. Occasionally, a vessel might be towed to a different dock to load. Depending on how busy the docks were and what particular commodity she was loading.
I would agree with ShaunJ. Not a Royal Navy issue. The term
Master was not a RN rank.
MAPS Have you checked the "Trove" site for arrivals in Melbourne re MERSEY.
