THE AUSTRALIAN SQUADRON.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 40, 15 February 1894, Page 5

THE AUSTRALIAN SQUADRON.

THE FLEET TO VISIT AUCKLAND*

Advice by the steamer Waihora from Sydney states thab considerable surprise has been expressed there aft the news cabled from England thab the Orlando is to be superseded on the station by another, vessel, the Crescent. A report that the Bonarenture was ,to take the flagship's place was disposed of by a protest from the colonies, and it was then understood that the Orlando would be retained on the station. Late cables are to the effect that the. Admiralty has decided to send the Crescent as flagship, and she is bringing oub also relief crewe for one or two vessels now on- the station. In selecting the Crescent the Home authorities have made a great advance upon the first proposal to send the Bonaventure. The Crescent, though nob an armour-clad, is a first-class cruiser of the most modern clasa. She is larger and ef higher speed than the Orlando. Her tonnagedisplacement is 7,700, as against the Orlando's 5,600.- She is 360 ft long (Orlando 309 ft), and of 12,000-horse power, speed 19*5 knots, as against the Orlando's 8,500----horse .power and 18*5 knots speed. Her armament is not quite as heavy as that of the present flagship. She carries one 22----ton 9£in gun, 12 6in, 17 6-pounder and 3pounder quick-firing guns. • .Other movements of warships are noted. The-Eagebip Orlando, and the auxiliary cruisers T*t»" leave Hobart on the 28th instant for Attckland. i, The Katoomba goes to Sydney «>» the 23rd instahb from. Hobaft, ao<s- M* Royalisb will leave Albany on. the 19th instant for Sydney, via Adelaide. As the Orlando is soon to go out of commission, the visit now; in contemplation will probably be the last she will pay the Waitemata. "■:' '. ■■-'.'■ ■■■ ■-, ■;;- ;-«