FURTHER TARTICULARS OF THE DISASTER IN CHINA.

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 208, 18 October 1859, Page 4

FURTHER TARTICULARS OF THE DISASTER IN CHINA.

Melbourne, Wednesday evening. The Southampton, arrived at Adelaide from China, reports that the British naval forces were repulsed while endeavoring, under Admiral Hope, to force the passage Peiho River. 64 were killed and wounded. Admiral Hope seriously and Captain Vansitart dangerously. Five gun-boats were sunk.

THE GREAT EASTERN IN MOTION. The Great Eastern made a move on the ,Bth of August in the right direction. Some 300 or 400 visitors, composed of members of Parliament, merchants, and distinguished engineers, assembled to witness the first trial of the gigantic paddles and screws of the big ship, which, in their united efforts, exerting a power of 12,000 horses, are to propel her at the rate of twenty-three miles an hour. A luncheon was afterwards served, over which Lord Stanley presided. At half-past one the engines were at work—"there was no noise, no vibration, nor the slightest sign of heating, and the tremendous frame of iron, work sprang as at once into life and motion with as much ease as if every rod and crank had been worked for the last ten years." The engines turned slowly, six revolutions per minute, a minimum speed, but sufficient to test the strength of Trotman's anchors with which the vessel is moored, and to bring forth a " pungent atmosphere" from the fostid Thames. The Great Eastern's outward garniture is complete, theJnternal arrangements not so far advanced, but the chief saloon has been furnished by Mr. Crace in traceries of gold and color, mirrorsy gilding, carpeting, and silk cur-> tains, at the cost of 563000. The whole ship will be fitted regardless of expense. Four double cranes will enable her to hoist on board 5000 tons of coal in twentyfour hours; she carries twenty boats "about the size of sailing cutters;" and she is expected to make the voyage to Calcutta in thirty-three days, 5 and to carry 9000 or 10,000 persons, including-crew, affording to each comfortable living room. Lord Stanley, in proposing the toast of the day, made an eloquent speech, in which he dwelt upon the importance of the undertaking for our possessions in the East. vMr. Campbell acknowledged the toast, and said that if the great ship had been completed two years ago, hundreds of lives and literally millions of treasure would have been spared in the late mutiny in India. Mr. Jackson, M.P., and Mr. Scott Russell also adressed the meeting. Mr. Brunei was absent from indisposition. The nautical instruments for the Great Eastern which have just been completed by Mr. John Gray, of Liverpool, have been publicly exhibited in that town. They consist of two large compasses, and a patent binnacle, much above the ordinary size and very neat in workmanship. In connection with the binnacle is an apparatus for the adjustment of compasses, as sanctioned by the Board of Trade. It is stated that the Great Eastern will start from the Thames on her trial trip on the 22nd August. Instead of going out into the Atlantic, as originally intended, sho will proceed, first to Cherbourg, next to Portland, and then to various other parts of our own coasts.