H.M.S. CHALLENGER.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXII, Issue 2806, 24 July 1866, Page 4

H.M.S. CHALLENGER.

The Challenger, 18, scraw steam corvette, 1,462 tons, 400-horse power, has lefb Shea ness for her destination as the flagship of Commodore Rochfort Maguire, on the Australian and New Zealand station. Since she has been at Sheerness some extensive alterations and repairs have been effected, aud she has now been commissioned as the flagship of the station mentioned above. Her aroaaineut consists of eight 8-inch or 65cwt. guns, 8 64-pound shunt guns, aud* two Armstrong guns. Since the vessel has been lying in commission in Sheerness harbour the following officers have joined her :— Commodore Bochfort Maguite; Commauder, Charles J. Brown] igg; Lieutenants,, , St. John Hornby, John McM. Boyd, and Bell; Master Henry Vi Slader; Dr. Alexander Watson, M.Dr; Chaplain, llev. Mr. McDowell; Chief Engineer Brown; Naval Instructor, Mr. Fowles ; Lieutenant Koyal Marines, George J. Airey; Ass>istant-Sufgeon George R Pickhorne ; Paymaster M. G. Antey ; Secretary John E. Parish.^ Previously to her departure the ship was inspected by Vice-Admiral Sir Baldwin W.' Walker, X.C.8., Conimander-in- Chief at Sheerness, who expressed himself as highly satisfied. The Challenger takes out several supernumerary officers to fill up vacancies occurring in ships on the station. The ship was to T call at Portsmouth en loute to take, up supernumeraries, and will then proceed to Malta, where she may -stay a short time, after which she will proceed directly to Sydney.