THE AUSTRALASIAN SQUADRON.

Colonist, Volume L, Issue 12159, 6 February 1908, Page 2

THE AUSTRALASIAN SQUADRON.

VISIT OF WAESHIPS. Three warships of the Australasian Squadron arrived from Wellington at the outer anchorage yesterday afternoon — H.M.S. Pioneer ' at 12.30 p.m., JrI.M.S. Pegasus at 2 o'clock, and H.M.S. Pyramus at 5.30 o'clock. The Pegasus left Wellington on Sunday morning, and the Pyramus on Monday morning, and the crews of both vessels have been doing gunnery practice in tbe Bay. The Pioneer left Wellington at 12. 15 a.m. yesterday, arriving as stated above. H.M.S. Challenger is expected to arrive here at any time now. H.M.S. Prometheus, which visited Nelson last year, left Wellington on' Saturday at midday, and proceeded to Westport. The Pegasus (Commander Geo. C. Quayle) and the Pyramus( Commander Thos. B. Michell) are thirdclass cruisers, each with a ment of 2135 tons, their engines being of 5000 horse power, and speed 21 knots. The Pioneer (Commander Chas. B. Miller) is also a third-class cruiser, with a displacement of 2200 tons, engines of 5000 horse power, and speed 20 knots. The armament of the vessel consists of eight 4-rnch r guna, eight 3-pounders, and two machine guns each. The Pegasus was launched in 1897, the Pioneer in 1899, and the Pyramus in 1898. H.M.S. Challenger is a secondclass cruiser, carries eleven guns, and has a displacement of 5808 tons, and her engines are of 12,500 horse power. She is commanded by [Commander Chas. Tibbits, M.V.O. The squadron is expected to stay in the Bay until next Wednesday. The warships are flying their flags at half-mast as a mark of international mourning in connection with tbe assassination of tbe King of Portugal and tbe Duke of Braganza.