ARRIVAL OF THE GALATEA.

West Coast Times, Issue 669, 15 November 1867, Page 3

ARRIVAL OF THE GALATEA.

(tboii the s. a, advertiser.) On Tuesday afternoon the weather was close and sultry, and when the mail steamer sailed the mirage on the distant horizon distorted objects into all kinds of queer shapes. At 3 a.m. an alarm was made. The dawn had scarcely shown, before telescopes turned towards' Point Malcolm showed taunt spars and a long hull, above which the two funnels being distinctly seen, left no doubt that the Galatea had arrived. The sun was not far above the hills when the wind blew freshly from about west by south, causing a light sea to rise In this the steamer Goolwa made rapid progress, and shortly after seven o'clock the shipping reporter boarded the Galatea His Boyal Highness made his appearance • on deck, and made various inquiries relative to buoys. Ihe ship lay at anchor off Glenelg in seven fathoms. The vessel was drawing but twenty -two feet, and her navigators had secured a firstrate position notwithstanding that their charts were none of the newest. Their success may in a measure be attributed to the interview with the master of the mail steamer, who was communicated with off Troubridge Island, and by t\ horn a homeward mail was des.patch.ed. The appearance of the Galatea from a short distance is most deceptive, and there are few persons would judge her to be 317 feet long. The iron wire employed for standing rigging gives her a light appearance aloft. Taunt she certainly is, seeing that from the water line to the maintruck is 186 feet. The mainyard between the lifts is 88 feet, or 96 feet from out to out. At eight the bells were struck, the colours were flaunted to the breeze, and abaft the bridge a splendid band played " God save the Queen."