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The Mystery was built in Newlyn for mackerel fishing and her length was 36 feet, with 32 feet of keel, 11 feet beam, she drew 6 feet of water. At the time of the voyage mining in Cornwall was on a downward turn. Fishing, then as now, was a dangerous industry. Many Cornish had already emigrated to other parts of the world particularly, as in the case of Australia, where there were good mining conditions. It was said that anywhere in the world where you found a hole in the ground there would be a Cornishman in it! There were already families living in Australia who were related to at least two of the men planning the voyage in 1854.

Most of the men involved were related. It is said that the decision to go to Australia was first made one evening in the Star Inn, Newlyn. The men had been discussing the possibility of emigrating and it was suggested by Job Kelynack that they might sell the Mystery to pay their passage. Then one of the men, Captain Richard Nicholls of Hayle, who was married to Job’s sister, Victoria, is reputed to have said ‘No, we’ll sail her, I’ll be the navigator.’ At that time Richard Nicholls was on leave from his post as Captain of another ship. The men continued to plan their voyage at Vine Cottage in Newlyn Coombe, where the Downings, other Kelynack relatives, lived. The crew who eventually left on Saturday, November 18th 1854 were: Captain Richard Nicholls, navigator; Job Kelynack; brothers William and Richard Badcock, Charles Boase and Philip Curnow Mathews, and a Penzance man Lewis Lewis. In addition to Captain Nicholls both of the Badcock brothers were married to sisters of Job Kelynack, Harriet and Nanny.

The following extract appeared in the Shipping Gazette and Sydney General Trade List, dated 26th March 1855:

"On Thursday last there arrived in Simon’s Bay, the Mystery, a small fishing smack of 16 tons, from England, bound to Melbourne. The little gallant adventurer has made an excellent passage of 60 days. On her arrival in Simons Bay, she was considered to be a Table Bay cutter, and on that account was not boarded by the Harbour Master. He did not know the real character of the diminutive craft, until he observed the captain and his crew quietly beaching their bark and hauling her with ease on the shore."

Years later, in October 1874, letter was published in the Cornish Telegraph newspaper. Written by Philip Curnow Mathews who had remained in Australia. He had married Miss English Harvey from Mousehole, Penzance, and become a surveyor in Melbourne.

"Sir,
Referring to a paragraph that appeared in your issue of the 3rd of June, relative to the voyage of the fishing boat Mystery from Penzance, Cornwall to Melbourne, Australia, I would wish (if you can find space in your valuable columns) to make a few remarks in connection with the voyage.
Before doing so allow me to correct one or two errors you made. We never betook ourselves to fishing, as you stated; but sold the boat almost immediately after our arrival at Melbourne and followed other avocations. The Mystery was 16 tons (builders measurement) not six tons, as appeared in your columns. She was 33 feet length of keel and 11 feet 6 inches breadth of beam.
We left Mount’s Bay on the morning of the 18th of November, 1854, with a crew of seven men – Richard Nicholls, Job Kelynack, Richard Badcock, William Badcock, Lewis Lewis, Charles Boase, and myself. Our cargo consisted principally of provisions and water. On March 14th, 1855, we cast anchor in Hobson’s Bay, Melbourne, thus accomplishing the voyage in 115 days, including seven days stoppage at the Cape of Good Hope, where we put in for a supply of water. We were eight days from England to Madeira, and on the 35th day out we made the Island of Trinidad. On the morning of the 17th of January 1855 we arrived to the Cape of Good Hope, being 50 days out. On January 24th at 6 p.m. we got underway from Cape Town and proceeded on our voyage with H.M. mails on board.
Nothing interfered with our progress until February 18th, in lat. 40.5 south, long. 82.25 east, where we encountered a very heavy gale, which necessitated our riding to a raft for nine or ten hours. Riding to a raft is a system adopted for safety. Ships heave-to under such circumstances. On February 23rd another heavy gale visited us in lat. 39.57 south, long. 98 east. We again rode to a raft for four or five hours. On the 5th March we met with another very heavy gale in lat. 40 south, long. 129.19 east, which compelled us to ride to a raft for 12 or 14 hours. The weather was pretty favourable after that date until we got to our destination.
Of the seven men who came to Australia five returned to their native home. I have seen the death of Mr. Charles Boase, one of the crew, in your obituary of the date referred to, making three deaths out of five. Lewis Lewis died in Castlemaine Hospital, Victoria, some ten years ago. I am the only one of the crew now remaining in this part of the world. I would also inform you that the Mystery is the smallest craft on record that ever made such a long voyage. By inserting the above you will greatly oblige one of the Mystery’s crew. – I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient servant, P. C. Mathews."

Philip Curnow Mathews died on the 13th November 1896 and is buried in Melbourne General Cemetery, North Carlton, Victoria. He had no children.

Lewis Lewis worked as a shepherd and died, aged 50 years, on 7th March 1866, he was buried in an unmarked grave at Campbell’s Creek, Victoria.

Of the five who returned to England Job Kelynack returned to fishing in Newlyn and died in Cardiff in 1903.

William and Richard Badcock also returned to fishing in Newlyn, after first working as warder boatmen in the prison hulks in Melbourne harbour. Richard died in 1874 and William in 1906, aged 85 years.

Richard Nicholls returned to work in shipping but in 1868 was knocked down by a horsedrawn cab in London and killed.

Charles Boase returned to Newlyn where he died in 1874.

The Mystery was sold in Melbourne for £150 and was eventually wrecked in Keppel Bay off Rockhampton, Queensland, 26th March 1869, where she was being used as a Pilot cutter, her crew were saved.