The p.s. Lyttelton, from Nelson, &c.,. arrived at the wharf on Thursday, but did not sail again yesterday, in consequence of the heavy sea on the bar. The s.s. Aairray, Captain Palmer, arrived yesterday afternoon from Nelson, Westport, and Hokitika. She crossed the bar iv fine style, running in through a very heavy surf. She will go North to-day, and will take with her any passengers who may be proceeding home via San Francisco. The Aborigine, from Melbourne, is at anchor in the roadstead, and will be brought to the wharf to-day, should the sea on the bar go down during the night. The ketch Brothers and Sisters, Perkins, master, fro:n Westport, was brought in on Thursday by the p.s. Dispatch. The s.B. Gothenburg, Captain Pearce ; from Melbourne, arrived at the Bluff at nine o'clock on Thursday night, bringing late English news, which was telegraphed from ■ Adelaide as she was about to leave. The Gothenburg will probably leave this roadstead, for Melbourne, this day week. The Resaca (so called from one of the battle fields of the Mexican war), which lately arrived in Auckland Harbor, is a screw-steamer of about 900 tons, and being built at the close of the American war, has not born a share in that struggle. She has been for some three years in the Southern. Pacific, looking after the interests of American commerce, and has just paid a visit to Fiji, enquiring into a case of wrong with that paternal care and vigorous prompitude for which the American Government is distinguished, in protecting the interests of citizens. She does not seem intended for so much steady fighting as for swift and decisive action. Viewed from the front, she is remarkable for the sharpness of her bows, while the tall masts slanting backwards, as is wont in the Americau navy, give a rakish air of swiftness that is very striking. She bear 3 the signs of having been cruising in topical seas, and will be vastly improved improved in outward appearance by the painter's brush. By the courtesy of Lieut Barclay, and other officers we were made acquainted with the internal organisation of the ship. There are three eight-inch smooth bore Dahlgreen guns on either side, one smaller gun on the forecastle, and one smaller still aft, intended chiefly as a boat gun. , But the great point of attraction is an enormous rifled pivot gun forward, being a favourite American patent, called a "Parrot Gun," and corresponding in American estimation with our Armstrong guns. By a system of wheels and tramway, it is capable of sweeping every point of the compass, and with its enormous range, the llesaca would be a dangerous enemy to encounter. All parts of the American vessel are of course 011 «i smaller scale than those seen in the Flying Squadron ; but notwithstanding the unfavorable circumstances under which she was viewed, there is a marked appearance of neatness, airness, order, and completeness. — N.Z. Herald, 20th nit.
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Bibliographic details
Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 734, 1 October 1870, Page 2
Word Count
494Untitled Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 734, 1 October 1870, Page 2
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