THE CUSHING – LIBERIA ENCOUNTER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 101, 30 April 1898, Page 5

THE CUSHING - LIBERIA ENCOUNTER.

The reported disabiement of. 'the torpedo boat Cushing is somewhat surprising and some doubts may be reasonably entertained fat^tb whether the American version that the boatput into Key West "owing to straining1 Tier machinery is not on this occasion more reliable ' than the statement cabled by-.Eeuter that she was disabled in the encounter.

The Gushing is one of the few vessels of her class in the rUnited States' Navy arid "has been in commission about, six years» Her tonnage; is 105 and she is fitted with one ; bow tube and two deep, tubes for dynamite, shells, while, two small quick-firing rifie guns are also carried. With, the exception of a very thin 'turtle back' steel covering over the bow the boat has no armament. Even the magazine is unprotected save by being placed below the water; line. It is this lack| of protective armament which makes' the account of the encounter, doubtful, for did the gunboat do her any injury it seems probable that the Cushing, without steel protection, would be sunk. . • .. '•;": ... r The Ligeria is one of the numerous small gunboats which the Spanish Government built for Cuban ; waters, ■with: a^view to assisting in the subjection of. the insurgents. '; .

H.M.S. LINNET.

H.M.S. Linnet; which.it is reported will watch, the naval! encounter between the Spanish and American

Pacific, fleets,: is One .of.' smallest English vessels of \/ar on the China: Station. She is a twin,-scr.ew:'b'oat"oi;; 750 tons displacement niid 87p.'^liprs'er power,1 and- ranks as," a second-ciasa gun vessel.! The Linnet wus recommiasioned in Hongkong in April, '95, and is commanded by Caj)tain John E. ■Bearcroft.' '• •' ■::. ' ■<■-~ r-"- \-,i '