Hi David , not sure about books , but had a look at deserters in 1854 - could not find James - on Trove , and surprised to find that sentences were from 1 to 12 weeks with hard labour. Appears others were discovered before their ship sailed and were put into custody on their ship.Found the following on Trove
SMH 19/5/1854 Mail closing this evening Crescent City for Callao.
Sydney Illustrated News 3/6/1854 Departure today for Callao, Crescent City.
SMH 25/4/1854 Advertisement for the Sailing of the "Crescent City" for the Peruvian Goldfields.
SMH 23/2/1854 a story - very long - about the new Panama Steam Route to Australia and the Pacific , including the "Crescent City".
The C.C. was a steamer with fast times
Cheers
David