H.M.S. CALLIOPE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2614, 13 April 1889, Page 2

H.M.S. CALLIOPE.

(By Ki.vcrKic tki-kgkaimi —Cupyrioht.) London, April 11. SrKAKINC, at ii dinner at the Institute of Naval Aicliitects, Lord C!eo. Hamilton, First Lord of tho Admiralty, said the courage and skill displayed by Captain Kane and the'oflicers and men of H. M.s. Calliope on the occasion of the recent hurricane at Samoa were not rare in the British navy, and did not deserve any special recognition.

Our Sydney correspondent, writing on the late disaster, says :—The Sainoan disaster has stirred the springs of our sympathies as well as those of patriotism. The papers contain many letters on the subject. Some advocate a public testimonial to the Samoans, who worked so gallantiy to rescue their shipwrecked enemies. Soma are all on fire with the idea of suitably honouring the courage and seamanship of Captain Kane, of H.M.S. Calliope, the only ship which escaped from tho ill-fated harbour. Harbour it can hardly be called._ It is simply an open roadstead, and with the wind in a certain quarter gives little or no shelter. Captain Kane got away hy leaving the treacherous s,)ot, steaming out bravely in the teeth of the terrible hurricane. It is hard to see why some of the jither vessels could not have dune the like. TVithout going out of our way to blame the dead, it is advisable in the interests of the living, that their mistake should be pointed out, in order that it may be guarded against in future. The States and Germany aro each sending out three more warships, and they will need the benefit of all the instruction that experience can give.