ARRIVAL OF THE SPANISH TRAINING SHIP.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8544, 26 July 1893, Page 6

ARRIVAL OF THE SPANISH TRAINING SHIP.

INTERVIEW WITH CAPTAIN VILLAMIL.

The expected arrival in Lyttelton of the Spanish Training Ship Nautilus has during the past few weeks created considerable interest at Port. At an early hour yesterday morning the signalman at the look-oat notified that the vessel was approaching the Heads, and soon after daylight she was taken in charge by the Harbour Boards tug. and dropped anchor in the stream. As there is no saluting battery at Lyttelton, no salutes passed between the ship and the shore. As the vessel lay iv the stream with the brilliant colours of Spain floating from the fore, main, inizeninaat, md peak, she looked exceedingly well. Tho three flaps were flying in honour of it being a saint's day. The Nautilus was originally an Aberdeen clipper, named the Carrick Castle, and was purchased in London in 1886 by her present commander, on behalf of the Spanish Government, to be used as a training ship. At present she is on a cruise round the world for the instruction of the midshipmen and apprentices on board. She is a full-rigged ship, with high raking masts, and looks every inch tbe exceptionally smart sailor she has proved herself. Among other perforinaucea, she did the run from Melbourne to Sydney in the exceptionally good time of forty-three hours. The Nautilus is commanded by Senor Don Fernando Villamil, of Fernandez Cueto, j assisted by Don Joaquiu Barriere, Zanaciua | Perez, second commandant, and Don Claudio Alva y Gonzalez, who ranks as lieutenant. The other officers are Jose Nunez Quijano, Don Manuel Somoza Hartley, Don Mateo Garcia de los Reye3, Don Jose Miranda Cadrelo, Don Alvaro Guitian Delgado (who are officially designated officers of the navy); Dr. Don Salvador Guinea Alzate, medical officer ; Don Joaquin Coello Pardo, paymaster; and Don Jose Ma Gonzalez, chaplain. The crew numbers 182, of whom fifty are midshipmen learning navigation. She carries five guns—two rapid-firing 6-pounder Nordenfeldts, made in Spain, two revolving guns, and one Hotchkiss. The vessel was taken in tow again shortly after 10 a.m,, and was moored at the men-of-war buoys by noon. As soon as she was moored a party, consisting of Mr Francis Arenas (Spanish Vice-Consul at Christchurch), his Worship the Mayor of Lytteltou (Mr J. F. Brice), Mr F. Waymouth (Chairman of the Harbour Board), Mr Hood Williams (Secretary), Captain Clark (Harbour Master), and Mr Bellliouse (Secretary of the Reception Committee), proceeded on i board and welcomed the Commander and his officers to Lyttelton. They were most cordially received, and spent a very pleasant hour on board. The Commander speaks English, though not as fluently as his native tongue, and Mr Arenas very kindly acted as interpreter ' for the party, who found Commander Villamil to be an entertaining host. Commander Villamil was some five years ago captain of the royal yacht of Spain, and before that commander of another training ship, the Almansa. He has all his life been among training ships and boys. The other training ships of the Spanish Government are mostly Bteamers. On board the Nautilus there is no steam, with the exception of the steam launch used when in harbour. The vessel started for Ferrol on December Ist, and has been to the Canary Islands, Brazil, Cape Colony, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle and Wellington. She was at Adelaide three weeks, aud a month at Melbourne, and three weeks at Sydney. The stay at those places was much enjoyed by the Commander and his officers. The Newcastle coal mines were visited, and in-

spected. Fi-oni Lyttelton she will go to Valparaiso and Callao, passing through the Straits of Magellan, by way of instruction tor the young men on board. . : In the course of a very pleasant chat Commander Villamil expressed Ins great partiality for the English character, especially, as he had found io in the colonies. He had beeu gteatiy surprised to find such a fine genial race of Euglish people as he had met with in the Australian colonies. He eaid the statement made from Wellington that he had expressed a determination if ever he retired from the eea to come and settle in New Zealand, was incorrect. What he had said was that he hoped to visit New Zealand again in another ship. Among other things, he said, from what he had seen of New Zealand he considered it the finest colony iv the world. He much preferred it to Australia, although that was a splendid country. : The towns in New Zealand were much better situated, being more central with regard to the surrounding country. He had visited Napier, and was much pleased with that district. He had also paid a visit to the Maoris, and had been greatly interested in them and the similarity of their language to the Spanish. He complained that he had literally no time to himself while in the colonies. There being no interpreter on board ; and he being the only person in the ship ' who could speak English to any extent, everything was brought to him with the result that be could scarcely get time for j needed rest. In face, at the time of speaking he had not slept since the previous day. As soon as the visitors were gone he would have to hold an examination oi the midshipmen. In addition to his other duties he was writing a history of the voyage, so that it will be seen that he is indeed a busy man.' In reply to enquiries the Commander stated the vessel would probably remain at Ly ttelton for three weeks. At other ports, however, his stay had occasionally been prolonged, and it might possibly be the case here: . • .. ■

The official reception takes place onboard at 2 p.m. to-day. These taking part in it must proceed to Port by the 1.25 p.m. train. The ball takes place on Friday next. J