DEPARTURE OF THE FLYING SQUADRON.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVI, Issue 3891, 10 February 1870, Page 3

DEPARTURE OF THE FLYING SQUADRON.

1 At last the Flying Squadron has left our shores. At the time appointed for the departure a large concourse of people had assembled on the Queen-street Wharf, the Britomart Barracks, and other places commanding a -view of our harbour, where-a full view of the movements of the fleet was obtainable ; and we are sure that a finer sight has never been presented to the people of Auckland than that of yesterday. At 1 p.m. the 'Liverpool' ran up the signal for all vessels to prepare to proceed to sea. The wind was blowing strong from N.N.E., and there was, therefore, a dead beat down harbour. At ten minutes past one the ' Liffey ' tripped her anchor, and proceeded down harbour. At 30 minutes past two the • Scylla' also got underweigh, and followed in the wake of the 'Liffey,' which vessel was making good progress, being by this time off the North Head. The ' Scylla' »oon proved herself to be a far better sailer than the • Liffey' by rapidly gaining upon her. At this time the 'Liverpool' again signalled the remaining shipa to get up steam, finding it a difficult task to get away. At five minutes to four the ' Liverpool' tripped, and began to move down the harbour. As she did so the Naval Volunteers at Fort Britomart fired % salute of eleven guna. The 'Endymion,' 'Phcebe, ' and ' Barrosa'followed closely in the wake of the flagship, and in this order down the harbour. The ships -wera accompanied by the p.s. 'Boyal Alfred,' on board of which was a large crowd of people, who, on passing each of the vessels, gave them three hearty cheers, which were cordially returned by those on board the fleet. The ships rounded the North Head at 4.30 ; and it was then seen that the * Liffey' and ' Scylla' had had made splendid progress, being then off the Wade. Soon after passing the reef the ' Liverpool' and the other three ships made sail, and by nightfall were seen to be making a board towards Cape Colville. They would, no doubt, owing to the wind being dead ahead of the course they have to steer, bring up for the night at the Kawau, and proceed on their voyage to Japan this morning. As the ships were proceeding down the harbour the Colonial Government p.s. ' Sturt,' i Captain Fairchild, came in from Tauranga, and, as she passed the shipa of war, she dipped her ensign, a compliment which was promptly acknowledged by the 'Liverpool,' 'Endymion,' 'Phoebe,' and 'Barrosa,' aa they passed. During the short stay of the Squadron in this harbour both the officers and. men have earned for themselves the good opinions of the Aucklanders, and we are sure that all unite in wishing them God-speed on their voyage to Japan. Thus quietly departed the strongest fleet ever seen in these waters, which has left behind it on the minds of the colonists an ineradicable impression of the greatness of that maritime power which could detach such an armament from its fleet to serve merely as a school for sailors ; and which will always bo remembered in New Zealand as having afforded its inhabitants an insight into the comparatively quiet and inoffensive though thoroughly efficient character of the modern British tar.