alexander mccoy (c. 1822 – 29 september 1895), originally from portsmouth, was captain of sailing ship "gem", then captained steamers "leichardt" 1856–1858 and her sister ship "sturt" 1856–1858. he sailed the "leichardt" to batavia 1859, for use as river transport for troops at bangor massam, borneo during the banjarmasin war. he brought the "settler" through the murray mouth 1861, then captained the "maid of the yarra" in the spencer gulf. he was instrumental in founding the adelaide steamship company.