The 700-ton ship Dauntless made only one voyage to New Zealand, during which Captain Moore had a trying experience, and died in Auckland shortly after the ship's arrival. the Dauntless left Kingston on December 31, 1864, and arrived in Auckland after a tedious passage of 135 days.

the Dauntless experienced light winds, varied by heavy gales, throughout the voyage. The sailors on several occasions threatened to mutiny, as they were dissatisfied with the provisions and the miserable accommodation provided. They also considered the vessel was unsafe, and demanded to be landed at the nearest port. The crew succeeded in getting several of the passengers to support them, and when off the Cape of Good Hope threatened to take the life of Captain Moore. He then broke into a case of rifles consigned to the Colonial Secretary, and he, with the officers, went about with arms. Three men were eventually put in irons, and handed over to the police on arrival at Auckland. Considering the unsatisfactory state of the accommodation for the steerage passengers, and the inferior food supplied, it is no wonder that twenty deaths occurred before the vessel reached her destination. There were also seventeen births and two marriages during the voyage.