THE CRUISE OF H.M.S. NYMPH.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 582, 1 May 1876, Page 3

THE CRUISE OF H.M.S. NYMPH.

From a report published in the New Zealand Herald of the cruise of this ship, we extract the following : “ At Sydney a fortnight rapidly passed by. They then started for the New Hebrides, called at Annatomon Island, and got letters left by the Pearl ; also spoke the Alacrity on her way to Sydney, and, after passing amongst many islands, reached Mota Island ontheßlstof August. Here the cutter was lowered, and two of the officers visited the Mission House, and found large bags of mails left by the Pearl. They learned now for the first time that the Commodore (Goodenough) had been wounded at Santa Cruz. They returned on board, bringing with them a missionary en route to Fiji. Mota is a beautiful island, but has no anchorage. The Nymphe sailed that afternoom for the Solomon Islands, whither she had been ordered, and reached San Christival, the southernmost island of the group, on Sunday, sth September. The Sandfly and Beagle schooners were found here. The natives were very civil, and' name off in their canoes to trade. The officers were continually away shooting wood-pigeon?, of which there are great numbers. The captain and a party tried to get to Philip Isle, but the surf prevented them, The doctors had a patient on shore—a woman who had fallen on a glass bottle and ripped her side open, all her bowels coming out, When the Nymphe left she was in a fair way to recover. The reef on the east entrance to the Makira harbor was found to extend much further out than it is laid down on the chart. It would be very dangeror-s tn any ship approaching from the southward or eastward. After a w ek’s stay, during which the schooner sailed for Sydney the Nymphe proceeded on her cruise. On the 15th, a party landed at Port Adams for a few hours, and shot some wild duck and pigeons. The natives appeared much afraid, and kept aloof. Their appearance was by no means prepossessing. Guadalcanar Island was reached on the 18ih, and we shipped anchor on a coral patch at Tavo. The natives here are described as ‘ the most friendlv of any we have seen, and come on board in great numbers, and cruise about the ship, trading for anything. They have the usual speais, clubs, &c, and numbers of jungle fowls’ eggs, tea for a pipe.’ Here b o ads and bottles are the best ‘ trade.’ At this time the natives were all sick. M’boli Harbor was the n xt place visited. At first the natives here came off to the ship in the usual way, but after the first day or so they disappeared altogether, probably on account of the captain having ordered a m m to be brought on board, a penalty being attached in case of his non-appearance. This apparently caused a general stampede, for no more natives were seen till a day or two before sailing. Whilst, here the captain and party went on an excursion to see the passage which is mis-surveyed on the chart. He believes it to be good enough for any ship to g > through. Itwould save a great nut. .nee if found to be safe. Whilst going (hr u-h the party saw an enormous alligator. (he 97th the Nymphe returned to barn and next day sailed for Sydney, which harbor was reached after an uneventful run of thri-e weeks. After visiting Fiji called at Suva, the Nymphe took Consul Layard to Tongatabu, arriving there on the 12th February. During the stay here, which lasted tin the 20th, the captain and Mr Layard visited King George, who returned the visit, and was received with yards manned and a salute of twenty-one guns. The island is described as having excellent roads, and being almost perfectly level. Though there are many gentle risings, the highest part is only 60ft above the level of the sea. Much shooting and riding was enjoyed in this very fertile island. The neighbouring island of Baooive or Eooa also afforded some shooting, and supplied thirty-five sheep at 10s a head, to be used for officers and men, A few days later the beautiful scenery of Miafu at Yavu was made memorable to the ship’s company by a spot in the loveliest part of it being selected as the burial-place of a young sub-lii utenant, Mr Walter Grey, who died here at the early age of 20. He had been ailing for some time, but his death is described as having been 1 fearfully sudden.’ Leaving Miafu, news was_ com municated to the Nymphe by the Vision of the imprisonment of Colonel Steinberger at Samoa, on board the Barracouta. Exactly

a week after the funeral of Mr Grey, the same sad rites had to be be f ti med at Suva, for the poor rid armourer, J ones Robinson The Tncxt day on w the ship once more ai Levuka. H. re two m*n suiT ring from f> ver were sent to the Hospital on shore. Daring the stay at Levuka there arrived fI.M.S. Sapphire from Sydney ; the barque Bhsrlng also from Sydney ; the bar ; uc Etienne (German), from Samoa ; H. M.S. Barracouta from Samoa, and H.M. gunboat Reuard The Etienne brought eight wounded seamen and marines, one surgeon, and six nurses, belonging to the Barracouta. On the 9th April the Nymphe started on her voyage to Auckland, where she arrived on the 19th. The only incident worth noting on the voyage, was the falling overboard of one of the men on the second day. The cutter was immediately lowered, and the man rescued.”