THE RVSSIAN CORVETTE KYNOA.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 24, 30 January 1888, Page 5

THE RVSSIAN CORVETTE KYNOA.

The Russian corvette Rynda arrived at Sydney on January 22nd from Vladivostock, via Yokohama, Japan, Hongkong, Manilla, P6rt Moresby, New Guinea, and Newcastle. The Rynda is quite a modern ship; she was built in St Petersburg in 1885, consequently she has only seen two years' service. She is constructed of steel, her plates being 2in. in thickness. Her dimensions are 365 ft. long, 42ft. beam, and 18ft. deep aft and 15ft. forward. The Rynda is a very taking ship, her lines are good, and indicate plenty of speed when under a pressure of canvas. She is barque-rigged, and can spread a large amount of canvas. She haß a stern similar that of H.M.S. Rapid. Her engines are of the most modern principle. They are horizontal, and are capable of developing a horsepower equivalent to 3,000 horses, and upon a very moderate consumption of coal daily a speed of 15 knots an hour can be maintained. She has good boat accommodation ; there are 10 of them, besides two steam launches. The electric light is to be found throughout the ship, besides which the Rynda is supplied with two very powerful search lanterns. The principal cabin is aft, and is a most comfortable and luxurious apartment; many of the officers find quarters here. The Rynda mounts 23 guns —10 largo and 13 small ones—all of "which were made by Oboukoff. She does not look a very formidable enemy, but still she is a first-class weapon of war, and, for her size, is not in any way to be underrated. In the event of her services being called at any time into requisition, the Rynda should prove a most formidable rival; the very best workmanship has been put into her, and she has been constructed on the most modern and improved principles, more especially as regards defence purposes. The following are the Rynda's officers : — Post Captain Avellan ; chief officer—Commanderßergman; lieutenants—A. Ebeling, K. Niloff, Count N. Tolstoy, J. Lang, Prince M. Poutiatine; sub-lieutenants —Gk Falk, Count M. P. Tyrtoff, W. Shatelaine, F. Kulstrom, Prince S. Shihmatoff, A. Astashey ; navigating lieutenants—B. Jakuboosky, W. Grigorietf; chief engineer, J. Boleslavsky ; engineering lieutenants— A. Federoff, L. Stratonvitcn, J. Ossossoff; surgeon, P. Burtzeff; chief of the artillery, N. Frofimoff and Lieutenant A. Vershinine ; clergy man, P. Agafaugel. Also there is on boardasalieutenan tH. I. H. Grand Duke Alexander Michaelovitch of Russia. The whole of the officers and crew are from the Imperial Russian guard. Cleanliness and order are observable all over the ship, and the Rynda comes into port in the roost perfect condition. The most rigid discipline is kept. The crew, which number 350 all told, are a strong healthy-looking set of men. There is a band of 20 performers on board.