THE GERMAN SQUADRON IN THE PACIFIC.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5581, 31 March 1886, Page 2

THE GERMAN SQUADRON IN THE PACIFIC.

The German squadron in the Paciflo comprises I the following war ships .—The Bismarck, cruising frigate, 2000 tons, 20 guns. Admiral Enorr; the Oneieenan, ornising frigate, 2500 tons, 16 guns, Oomoiauder Valolßj and the Olga, oorvetto, 2100 tons, 10 gunp, Commander F. Bendemann. The squadron arrived at Sydney from Zanzibar. The Admiral's ship, the Bismarck, to all intents and purposes, is an ironclad, although the officers call her a ornising frigate. She is constructed wholly 4ud solely of iron, the plnteß being of great thickness. Sho wa<j built at Kiel in July, 1878, and is a sister ship of tho Stock, Moltke and Blnoher. Her keel •as hid down in Ootober, 1875. In length the Bhip m ueiirea 74) metres, her beam is 13} metres, ■na her draught when loaded 6 metres. The vessel it* ship-rigged, nnd consequently has a grand ■pread of canvas. This in anything like favourable weather is most invaluable, as a speed of seven or etgfht knots can be attained without the nse of Steam. Tho engines, by F. A. Kgells, of Berlin, ore 2AOO horsepower. They are protected from f/knt and shell by coal bnnkers, which extend along either side of tho midships. The hull is divided by i^ht bnlkhoods into water-tight compartments. Tbh Bismarck is a four-decked ship. The batteryit on the 'tween decks, but there are several bmau gqns on dock. The latter are generally nsed for wflnf ing purposos.— Auckland Btrald.