THE ROYAL NAVY AND MAIL-STEAMER MELBOURNE.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 714, 16 February 1853, Page 3

THE ROYAL NAVY AND MAIL-STEAMER MELBOURNE.

{FVom the " Times," October 14.]

The " sweet little cherub" who presides over the destinies of seamen evidently confines his attention to the interests of the merchant service. The able- bodied mariners who ship for a voyage on board any of her Majesty's vessels must take their chance, and struggle on to their port of destination as best they may upon the most inefficient compounds of wood, iron, and canvass that the world ha 3 yet seen. There is really no disguising the fast—there is a fatality over Queen's ships. Call the result melancholy, call it ludicrous, call it expensive—call it what you will, ships constructed at the most reckless cost for the public service will not go through the water with the same conditions of speed and security as vessels belonging to private owners. We will not assert just now that anybody in particular, from the Duke of Northumberland down to the veriest apprentice in Devonport Dockyard, is in fault; we only look at the simple, unmistakable result. The ships are, no doubt, excellent good ships, constructed on the most scientific lines—the power of the engines is nicely adapted to the proportions of the hull—the officers in command issue precisely the necessary orders, and their ship's company obey their directions in the most zealous and efficient manner; but the ships wont sail or steam in the required direction. That is all that is amiss about them. As an illustration of this assertion, we would call attention to an announcement from Plymouth, which we received last night by electric telegraph, and which will be found in another portion of our columns this day. It is to the effect that the Melbourne screw steam-ship, in getting under way in Ilamoaze yesterday morning, ran between two hulks, fouled cne of them, and did herself very considerable damage. The brief announcement, talks of jib-boom, catheads, and anchor carried GW iy, of shattered davits, of chain cable run out, and so forth. Of course, as the vessel is now the property of the Royal Mail Steam Navigation Company, the Government people will say they have nothing to do with the catastrophe. We cannot certainly fix them with the direct responsibility of an act which, after all, may be simply an accident; we simply say, here is another Government vessel in trouble. It will be remembered that the Melbourne was originally built for the Queen's service, but after a vast expense had been incurred, Avas declared incapable. She was then handed over to the company above-mentioned, and, under their auspices, steamed away from Gravesend on Friday, the Ist of October. The account of the disasters she met with in the Channel, and how the water rushed-in at every seam, has tern already before the public. On Friday, the Bth, she reached Plymouth, and, after undergoing a thorough repair at tha hands of tlie dockyard people, started again yesterday on her voyage. It is our duty to lay the result of this experiment before our readers. The Melbourne has been true to her parentage, and bids fair to distinguish herself even amidst her staggering sisters of the Royal navy.