BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 557, 21 September 1869, Page 2

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

ARRIVALS. Wellington. Sept. IS Start, from Wanganui. Sept. 19—Omeo, from Lyttelton. Pout Chalmers.—Sept. IS Rangatira, fL'om Lytteltcn. Hokitika.—Sept. 18 Waipara, from Greymouth. Lyttelton—Sept. 10—Lord Ashley, from Duncdin. Picton.—Sept. 19 —Airedale, from Nelson. DEPARTURES. Lyttelton.—Sept. 18—Omeo. for Wellington. Nelson.—Sept. 17—Beautiful Star, for Wanganui. Sept. 19 —Airedale, for Picton. Port Chalmers.—Sept. 18—Lord Ashley, •for Lyttelton. THE AMERICAN WAR STEAMER KEARSAGE. The following account of the United States war vessel Kearsage, Captain Thornton, lately in Wellington harbor, is from the Sydney JEceiiiiig 2?ew.t:— She is a long, low-lying craft, no more like an English vessel of war than that useful but unsightly machine known as the Dredge resembles a China clipper. Nothing about her gives ono the idea, that eho is other than a peaceful trading steamer ; that is, when regarded from a distance. As for her rig, it may be deemed a compromise between barque and schooner rig. Her masts are low ; her spars small and and as little of standing rigging is used as can be done with. But she looks as though she could make good headway under steam, and as though she was manageable under circumstances in which a more orthodox craft would be comparatively uuwieldly. In a word the Kearsage appears to be admirably adapted for a service requiring great speed, good steerage qualities, and Steady firing in a stern chase. She would be a terror to blockade runners, and could dodge up and down a coast line when a more cumbersome craft would either run ashore or fall a victim to the enemy. She was built, curing the first outbreak of the rebellion of the United States, and was .one of the nine gunboats supplied by the Federal Government within the space of 90 days. The Tuscarora another historical vessel is a twin boat. She carries the same rig and armament that she was originally fitted with, and, indeed, differs in no essential particular from the cvaft which, in little more than an hour, sent the Alabama to the bottom, off Cherbourg, in June, 18fi4. The peaceful aspect which the exterior of the Kearsage presents, like very many other concerns of modern warfare, is delusive. W hen the visitor boards her, he perceives that she is equipped and manned for a fighting ship of formidable power. She is 23Gft in length, of moderate beam for a war ship, and has a flush deck. The same two 11-inch Dahlgren smooth-bores which threw the shells with such accuracy into the Alabama, she carries now. Four 32-pounders (smoothbores) also adorn her decks, besides one 30pounder rifled. She is thus two guns short of the armament she carried when she went into action on the 19th June, 186k A republican simplicity marks the fittings of her cabins, gunrooms, and men's quarters ; but it is accompanied by a comfort that does not always attach itself to more pretentious aiTangements. Cleanliness is an observable virtue on board the Kearsage, and ample provisions for accommodation, ventilation, and snch like considerations is made. The flush deck is traversed by slides for the working of the guns for rapidity and ease. Everything appears to be in its place, ready for use at any moment; everybody is orderly, and seems to know his work. She carries IGO seamen and marines, a-d twenty-nine officers. The Kearsage possesses a propelling strength equal to 180-horse-powcr. When under full speed, she can make from 13 to 14 knots, consuming about twenty-two tons of coal in 5-4 hours. Her engines arc American built, on the newest principle. She does not depend much on the canvas she carries, although it is said she can sail ten knots. She is a good sea boat, whether under canvas or steam. On her starboard may feg seen the bolts to which hung the chain cable against which the shells of the Alabama dashed harmlessly. Capt. Thornton, who was her first lieutenant in that memorable action, is now her commander.