ARRIVAL OF H.M.S.S. SAPPHIRE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1320, 17 March 1877, Page 11

ARRIVAL OF H.M.S.S. SAPPHIRE.

Some twelve months have elapsed Bince one of Her Majesty's ships graced the waters of the Port, and therefore the arrival of the Sapphire on Tuesday afternoon was an event in its way, and caused some little stir. She was signalled about noon, and, under the guidance of Pilot Kelly, fetched the anchorage off Rocky Point at 3 p.m. There she was boarded by Mr Hackworth, Collector of Customs, Captain Thomson Farbour Master, and the representatives of the Dunedin Press, who were very courteously received by Captain Murray and his officers.

The Sapphire v a handsome corvette of composite build, 1405 tons register nett, and carrying 14 guns of which 12 are broadside guns— old style 64-poumlers converted, according to Paliser's method, to rifled cannon. The remaining two are also 64-pounders but are constructed upon the coil principle, and are new throughout They are very handsome pieces of ordnance, and are placed one forwards, the other aft, for bow and stern-chasers, and work upon traverse ways.

The Sapphire was finished and commissioned in 1875, and despatched to the Australian station and arrived within its limits on Ihe 28th December. She has therefore been on the station about 18 months. She is a handsome ship, full but lightly rfcged, rather heavy-looking above water, but evidently of exquisite lines beneath it. One of the new class of corvettes, built expressly for cruising purposes, the Sapphire attains a high rate of Bpeed ; 14 knots under canvass alone have been got out of her, but her average rate is 11 ; whilst under steam alone, with full pressure on, she travels 13 knots. Power was not stinted when her engines were built, for she is fitted with a magnificent compound cf 350 h.p., and 2373 h.p. indicated. About 240 is the complement of officers and men she has on board, including a detachment of marines and light infantry, with two or three marine artillerymen. The Sapphire has just returned from a cruise amongst the Chatham, Campbell, and Auckland Islands. She took her departure from Auckland February 4th for the Chathams, and arrived there on the 1 4th, after a rough and dirty passage. Left again on the 17th. and arrived at Campbell Island on the 24th ; examined its coast for wreckage and castaways. Left March Ist for the Auckland Group and arrived on the 3rd and anchored in Erebus Cove, Port Ros*. She subsequently visited other places, and examined the depots of provisions, ha., all of which had been broken into and rifled of provisions. The depot*, one, and all, required replenishing, but as she had no instructions to that effect only a few Ihing3 were landed at Port Ross. Mr and Mrs Neilson were still there, and still in a state of chronic discontent. They complained about Dr Monkton not having performed his part of the contract in supplying them with provisions, and said they would shortly leave the station altogether. No sign of wreck was observable on any part of the coast inspected. The Sapphire remained ao the Auckland Islands till the B.h inst.,' then left for here, and arrivsd after a light fine weather passage. She has called for orders, but having been under sail alone duriner the greater part of the late cruise her stock of coal scarcely needs replenishing. The Sapphire is one of the fleet of "precious stones"— so termed from the names they receive! built in the years 1873, '74, and '75. Her engines are 350 h.p. , and 2373 h.p. indicated. There are six boilers for the generation cf steam, but it is seldom that more than three of them are fired at a time. We made a cursory inspection of the ship under the guidauce of Surgeon Brownlow. It would be superfluous to say one word about her condition, H.M.s ships are seldom otherwise than strictly en regie, buo are much impressed by the exceeding comfort of the officers and men's quarters on the main deck, and evidences observable on all sides of latest improvements and high class efficiency. The small-aims in use on board the Sapphire are Martini-Henry rifles, and for boat guns she has those handy mountain howitzers proved so effectual daring the Abysinian war. S-he is officered as follows :— Captaiu. Murray, Lieuts G. L. Atkinson, E. W. Burt, G. T. Wingfield, G. H M. Arthur; Navigating Lieut, A. C. Dennys ; Chaplain and Nav*l Instructor, Rev. J. C. Edwards ; Staff Surgeon, Daniel O'Connor;' Paymaster, C. Aylen; Chief Engineer, John L. Harris; Sab-Lieut, F. L. Langdale ; Surgeon, Thomas D. A. ' Broralow ; Assistant Paymaster, J. W. Taylor; Engineer, Thomas G. Woodfield ; Gunner, Q. Uhkmmings ; Boatswain, H. Smith ; Carpenter, A. Goad ; Midshipmen, W. E. T. Riven ; C. K. S. Paine, R. P. Adams ; Assistant Engineer, C. D. P. Taylor; Clerk, F. G. W. Taylor. As typical of the class of cruisers to which ihe belongs the Sapphire is well worth a visit.