The Russian War Vessel.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1837, 28 May 1886, Page 2

The Russian War Vessel.

It is not a very long time back since “ A Russian War Scare " took place in the Colonies, as the result of which large sums have been expended on the construction of defence works. Affairs ultimately took a peaceful turn and any prospect of hostilities between Great Britain and' Russia, for the time being, passed away. But within the past week the cable messages have brought intelligence that Russia was actively preparing lor war, and so the old feeling of uneasiness in the Colonies was to a certain extent revived. It is somewhat remarkable and ominous that just at this juncture of affairs, the Russian war vessel Vestnik should on Sunday at noon have steamed into Wellington Harbor, and anchored within a little distance of the Queen's Wharf. No previous intimation had been received that a Russian cruiser was anywhere near our coasts. Yet it appears that the Vestnik steamed up the eastern coast of the South Island without being sighted by any steamer or vessel, and got berthed in Wellington Harbor within easy range of the Government buildings, and the chief banks, and warehouses before anyone had the least idea of what the vessel was. Of course so long as Great Britain and Russia are at peace the visit of a Russian war vessel to Wellington need not be regarded as being an out-of-the way event. But then it has to be remembered that the very recent war preparations of Russia have been of the most pronounced character, and no one can foresee what complications may arise in European politics. Let the supposition be hazarded that the cable were now to bring news of a declaration of war having been made between Great Britain and Russia, the Government and people of this Colony would be brought face to face with the ugly fact that a Russian war vessel was inside the Wellington Harbor. Of course the defence works, and batteries, and torpedoes at Wellington might keep a Russian war cruiser from.getting inside the Heads, but in the present case it so happens that the Vestnik is already in, and anchored in such a position that it coaid quickly shell and demolish the Government buildings, and some of the banks and warehouses as well. We do not anticipate that war is going to be decided at once between Great Britain and Russia, or that there is to be any hostile attack by the Vestnik, but at the same time the sudden and unexpected arrival of that war vessel at this time particularly, and uuder the existing critical state of affairs in Europe, is somewhat remarkable. It appears that the Vestnik came from Launceston, which she left on May 15. Her destination now is stated to he Japan, where she is dim in August. She will remain in Welliuplon a few days- probably about a week -nod she is likely to visit New Caledonia. In appearance the Vestnik is a rakishlooking barque-tigged clipper, with an unaustakeable Yankee appearance She has evidently been built for speed," and the size of her yards would appear to show that she can, when required, carry an enormous amount of canvass. Shdeß a com posite vessel—in short, essentially a cwnser, and it is claimed for her that with steam and sail she can do 17 knots an hour. The object of the Vhstnik’s visit to Wellington is said to be ” to effect repairs to the anchors, and general repairs.” The Vestnik is one of the Russian squadron which visited Australia some tour years ago under the command of Admiral Aslanbogoff, and which previously visited Hobson’s Bay. She is a screw corvette of 1134 tons, and is commanded by Captain Waldemar Lang. Her armament, however, has been considerably increased, and she now carries seven Krupp guns -three large ti-inch guns, and four 9 pounders. She has also seven guns of the Hotchkiss pattern, which is generally used in foreign navies in preference to the Nordenfcldt, which seems to be preferred in the English navy. A steam launch attached to the vessel is fitted with Whitehead torpedoes. There seems to have been some considerable excitement in Melbourne with reference to the movements of the Vestnik after she left Port Phillip Harbor. The Age states that a boat party from the Vestnik examined the fortifications near Queenscliffe. Some assertions have also been made about the officers of the Vestnik taking soundings and examining the harbors at Tasmania, but on tho other hand the Australasian denies and casts ridicule on these reports.