A HUGE IRONCLAD

Kumara Times, Issue 991, 3 December 1879, Page 3

A HUGE IRONCLAD

A splendid fete will be held at Oastellamaro to celebrate the launch of the Ironclad Italia, said to be the largest war vessel of the kind ever yefbnilt. In length she measures 122 metres (100 ft,), and is 15 metres (50ft) in height at the bow and 17 metros (50 ft) at the stern. Her total displacement will be 11,000 tons—4,ooo more than the Duilio—her length being Gsft greater than tliat of the latter enormous war ship. As the Italia is at present standing on the slips amidst a forest of “ shores” and beams, her full bulk can be seen, and she now produces a more imposing effect than she is likely to present when floating, fully a .eontrod, Jk\ the water. A peculiarity of the construction is ( hat tlm keel and its adjuncts arc flat, like a raft., this shape being adopted, it is said, to cjive the vessel a comparatively slight draught of water, and thus enable her to attain the speed of J G knots an hour, two knots more than the estimated velocity of the Duilio. The Italia’s plates, it may be added, are 21in thick, with a strong teak and zinc backing.

A DARK FAINT. Tlie Court find jury, as well as the spectators generally, enjoy the scene, when a lawyer, in an attempt to badger or browbeat a witness, comes oil second-best in the encounter. An amusing instance of this sort happened a few weeks ago in an Albany courtroom. The plaintiff, who was a lady, was called upon to testify. She got on very well, and made a favorable impression on the jury, under the guidance of her counsel, Hon. Lyman Tremaine, until the opposing counsel, Hon. Henry Smith, subjected her to a crossexamination. This so confused her that she became faint, and fell to the floor in a swoon. Of course, this excited general sympathy in the audience, and Mr Smith saw that bis case looked badly. An expedient suggested itself by which to make the swooning appear like a piece of stage trickery, and thus destroy sympathy for her. The lady’s face in swooning had turned purple red, and this suggested the new line of attack. The next witness was a middle-aged lady. The counsel asked—- “ Did you sea the plaintiff faint a short time ago ?” “ Yes sir.” “ People turn pale when they taint, don’t they ?” A great sensation in court, and an evident confusion of witness. But in a moment she answered, “ No, not always.” “ Did you ever hear of a case of fainting where the party did not turn pale?” “Yes, sir.” “Did you ever see such a case ?” “ Yes, sir.” “When?” “About a year ago.” “Where was it?” “In this city.” “Who was it?” By this time the excitement was so intense that everybody listened anxiously for the reply. It came promptly, with a twinkle in the witness’s eye and a quiver on her lip, as if from suppresed humor—“ Twas a negro, sir.” Peal after peal of laughter shook the court-room, in which the venerable judge joined. Mr Smith lost his case, not to say his temper.