THE AUSTRALASIAN SQUADRON.

Evening Star, Issue 10412, 6 September 1897, Page 2

THE AUSTRALASIAN SQUADRON.

ADMIRAL BRIDGE'S SUCCESSOR.

THE NEW FLAGSHIP.

[Pee Press Association.—Copyright.]

SYDNEY, September 6/ Admiral Bridge has received a cable from the Admiralty announcing the appointment of Admiral Peajsou to. the Australian station'.'with the Eoyal Arthur as the flagship. No reason is assigned for the withdrawal of the Minerva. The former is a first class cruiser, while the Minerva belongs to the second class. '

Rear-admiral Hugo Lewis Pearson entered the navy in 1845; became a sub-lieutenant in 1852, a lieutenant in 1863, a commander in 1872, a post-captain in 1879, and admiral in 1894. He was captain of the gunnery ship Excellent from 1890 to 1893, and was second in command of tho, B line of battleships and cruisers in the Spithead review of 1897.

Theßoyal Arthur, thirteen guns, twin-screw oruiser of the first olass, 7,700 tons, 12 000 horse-power, was launched at Portsmouth by the Duohess of Connaught in 1891. She is known as the Edgar class, the best tvpe of cruiser in the Royal Navy. Her "protection consists of an armor deck of from lin to sin in thickness, with steel casements of from 2in to 6in thick for tho heavy guns. The ammunition tubes are guarded by armor 7in thick, and the conning tower by 12in armor. Her armament consists of two 22-ton guns, mounted in casements fore and aft; amidships, ten 6in guna, quick-firers; besides twelve 6-pounders, five 3-pounders, seven Maxims, and some light guns. She is also furnished with four tubeß for discharging "Whitehead torpedoes, two or them being submerged. She is commanded by Captain Samuel Arthur Johnston, and Engineer James M. O. Bennett has charge of her engine room.