THE INFERNET.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 279, 4 May 1875, Page 4

THE INFERNET.

The Wellingten Post of the 29th of April gives the following description of the French corvette s.s Infernet, just arrived in Wellington from Sydney, via Picton :—'J he Infernet is a handsome corvette of 2000 tons measurement, constructed specially with a view to high speed. Her lines are very fine, particularly in the entrance, although the straight stem and square stern somewhat detract from her appearance, and give her a curious angular look. She ia built of wood, with an iron turret forward, in which is mounted on a traversing platform a five ton breech loading rifled gun of 16 centimetres calibre, throwing either shell or solid shot around a radius of about 270 degrees. So as not to impede the scope of this bow chaser, the foremast is of iron, and on the tripod principle, with two iron " legs " extending from the foremast head to the ship's side, where the backstays and shrouds are fastened. Thus, if it be required to range the gun abaft the beam, all the shrouds and stays can be cleared away in a very few minutes, leaving the mast supported by its two iron legs. The main and mizen masts are wooden, the latter looking disproportionately light and too close to the main mast for symmetry. The versel is barquerigged, without royals or bowsprit, her jibstay being brought to the ship's head ; the latter arrangement also prevents the range of the bow gun being impeded by a mass of head sail. This gun, by the way, carries a conical ball of about 1001 b weight. The machinery in connection with the breechloading apparatus and the turret turntable and traversing stage is as delicate as the works of a watch, and like everything ou board is in beautiful order. The other eight guns are broadside muzzle-loaders of 13 centimetres calibre. The engines are splendid specimens of machinery of 450 horse power, capable of driving the ship through the water at great speed when required, her fine model of course contributing much to this result; A handy iron steam launch is carried on deck, and can be lowered in surprisingly short time. All the appliances on deck and below, the quarters for officers and men, and everything connected with the ship, exhibit a combined neatness and smartness which gives her the appearance of a sort of cross between a frigate and a mail steamer. Her crew numbers 210 men. The Infernet made a stay of two days at Picton, and will remain five days in this port, next proceeding to Auckland, and thence to the islands of the Pacific.