THE STEAM SHIP CHUSAN. (From the " Melbourne Argus," July 31.)

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 663, 21 August 1852, Page 2

THE STEAM SHIP CHUSAN. (From the " Melbourne Argus," July 31.)

AimivLD— July 29. Y. ts. O. C. screw Btenm-slnp Chusoni 700 tons, llwiry Down, commander, from Southampton May 15th, St. Vincent Mny 30th, Cape of Good Hope June 29th. Passengers, cabin — For Melbourne : Capt. Koisall and son, Dr. Adams, Lieut. Kossalt, Lieut. L. Kitbath and Portuguese servant (two officers of the Hungarian army), Messrß. Clurke, Andrews, Moore, Ravenshaw, 11. L. Davis, Clifford, Kruger, G. Appell, Walters, Etcljell, Brown, Sampson, Olding, Hewitt, Prestwicke, Whitcher. For Sydney : Lieut. Col. Le*wia, Lieut. Pascoe, R. N, Lo Compto do Chahrillan, Motis Moufflard, Moris Maf'piake, Messrs. Neato, Beattie, Gore, Cabrow, nnd Darling. The arrival in our Bay of the Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company's steftmibip Cliusan, is an event of historical importance, for we mny now regard the long promised, and oh vexatiously deferred steam communication with England, as an established fact. Our renders aro alieady nwnre that tyro contracts for Mail Rcrvice liave been entered into by the Home Goyernmont, one with t lie new Australian Steam Company, for a steamer by the Cape of Good Hope, onco in two months, nnd the other with the Peninsular and Oriental Company, for the altornnto six months of the year by way of Capo Lcuwin, Singapore, and Egypt. This laiter contract does not properly come into pfl'ect until April next, but the Peninsular and Oiiental Company, with a spirit which has generally distinguished its proceedings/ decided upon anticipating the time fixed for the commencement of the service, and despatched the Chusan to open the line, so that after the arrival of tits Australian Company's steamer Australian, due in about a fortnight, the Colonies will have a regular monthly steam communication with England, and the merits of the two lines will be at once tested. Tho Chusiin is an iron screw steamer, of 700 tons, and fJO-hono nominal power (working up to 250). She ta a beautiful model, barque-rigged, and has all the appearance of a man-of-war. She is nrmed with a long 32-pounder nbaft, and a long iB-pounder forward, and lii-pounder carronados on the main deck. We are informed thut she is a fine sea boat, nnd a thorough clipper, having run as much «s 14 knotl pej hour under canva6only. Unfortunately, for the greater pint of tho voyage out blio has had light and baffling winds, and as she has been under full steam for only a small portion of the voyage, this, and eight days stay at St Vincent and tho Capo of Good Hope Lave somewhat retnrdfd her arrival. JJotwoon the Capu of Good Hope nnd Cape Otway tho Chusan fell in with Some very heavy weather, during which her qualities as a first-rate sea-boat were amply proved. On tho 13th instant, when in longitude 74 U X, tho barometer falling hh low as 29 degrees, she experienced ft very sorero gftle of wind, compelling Cnptaiu Down to heajre the sl>ip t tp for twenty-four hours,

during which time, with a fearful sna running, she lay to, shipping little or no water. And again, running before a wind mnking Cnpe Otway, under whole topsails and foresails, she averaged fourteen knots nn hour. On making Otway Light at 4 a.m., 29th July, the breeze increased to a heavy gale, with a tremendous sea running — took in the square sails, and hauled up to the northward and eastward, on rounding the Capo, under full steam and reefed fore and aft sails. An unfortu nate casualty occurred during the gale off Cape Otway, which cast a gloom over the termination of an otherwise prosperous voyage. In furling the main topsail, one of the seamen lost his footing and fell from the yard into the sea. The engines were immediately stopped, and tha ship brought to the wind, and at the imminent risk of their lives, considering the fearful sea that was running, the chief officer, Mr. Bencraft, Lieutenant Pascoe, R.N., (as passengers) aud four hands most gallantly volunteered and lowered the quarter-boat to try to Sfive him. The attempt was unavailing, for do sooner was the boat in the water than every exertion of her gallant crew became necessary to preserve their own lives. It was two hours before the boat could be picked up, during which time Captain Down and all on. boaid were under thn most painful anxiety for her fate. Wo are happy to add that a very handsome subscription was immediately m.ide by the passengers to reward the brave fellows who manned the bout. The Chuaan brings a heavy mail, and £70,000 in sovereigns . Her accommodations for passengers aro of a very superior order ; the cabins nre large, and well-ventilated, and uniiHUully lofty between decks. Captain Down has received very handsome letters from his passengers, which we have muoh pleasure in making public. We welcomo the Chusan to our waters, and wish her a prosperous caroer. Jler datis aie from Southampton 15th May, 6 p m. ; St. Vincent, Capo do Verde, 30th May ; Cape of Good. llopo, 29th Juno.