EXPECTED ARRIVELS

Wellington Independent, Volume XIX, Issue 2076, 18 June 1864, Page 2

EXPECTED ARRIVELS

Bangatira, as., from Napier and Auckland, 17th Lord Ashley, s.s., from Otago, Dunedin, and Blurt West Australian, from London PROJECTED DEPARTURES. Wellington. s.s., for Napier and Auckland, thiß-day Bangatira, s.b., for. Lyttelton and Dunedin, 19th The Seizure op the British Steamer Princess.— A private letter from Malaga giveß some details of the seizure of tho British steamer Princess for a breach of the custom house laws. Tho Princess, from England, bound for Ancona, put iuto Malaga to coal, and the master reported her in ballast. She was detuined a day or two whilst the master obtained through the telegraph from his employers in England a credit to enable him to purchase the requisite supply of coaL When the arrangement was completed, the usual inspection of the vessel by the officers of the port took place to verify the description tho master had given of her lading. By a mere accident it wai discovered that she had a false hold on which the ballast was deposited, and that beneath thiß, in the true hold, were stowed a quantity of arms and military stores. The latter are said to comprise the following -.—Six rifle cannon for mountain artillery, 8 guns of heavy calibre, '4ooo Babres, 1000 Miuie rifles, a number of pikes, and 400 uniforms. The master of the Princess is imprisoned, and it is believed that the steamer and her cargo are liable to confiscation for the violation of the law. — "Gibraltar Chronicle." Steam Shipbuilding on the Clyde. — With regard to this important branch of the industry of the West of Scotland, it may be noted that Messw Bandolph, Elder and Co., of Go van, have launched a steamer for the African Mail Company of the following dimensions: — Length between porpendiculars, 255 feet ; breadth 31 feet; depth 21 feet; burden, 1200 tons, old measurement Tho engines are of 250 horse power, nominal, and are on Messrs Eandolph, Elder, and Co's double cylinder principle for economising fuel. There are two cylinders each 60 inches in diameter, and 3ft 6in stroke, steam jacketed, and -fitted with surface condensers. The boilers are tubular and calculated to sustain a working pressure of 40 lbs. on the square inch. This fine vessel, which is a Bister Bhip to the M'Grogor Laird, built by the same firm for the same company two years since, has been named the Calaba. Tho African Mail Company is about to make an extonsive addition to its fleet. The Lafayette, the first of the steamer* built on the Clyde for the French Compagnia Generale Transatlantique, is expected to make her first appearance at Havre early next month. Tho Lafayette, which will be commanded by Captain Duchene, is 353 feet in length, 45 feet in width, and 30 feet 4 inches in depth. Her burden is 3,400 tons, and is fitted for the accommodation of 300 passengers, while 1,000 tons of coal can be stowed away in her bunkers. She* is fitted with lateral balance beam engiues of 850 horse-power. The Washington, launched in June for the same company, is I rapidly advancing ; and the third hull ordered on the Clyde will leave the builder's yard in a few days. The Washington will bo commanded by Captain Bocande. Launch op a Danish War Vessel.— On Wednesday afternoon an armour-plated frigate, intendad for tho Danish Government, was launched from tho building yard of Messrs J. and G. Thomson, atGovau. Tho length of the vessel is about 280 feet,- and she is of 8,500 tons burden and 600 horse-power. She is covered from stem to stem with armour-plates four and a half inches thick, upon a strong backing of teak and iron plating. The launch was witnessed by a large number of people on both banks of the river, and was couducted without the occurrence of any mishap.—" Scotsman." Ok Board the Alabama.— A resident at Singapore thus describes the Alabama: — "Singapore, 23rd December, 1863.— T0-day*! went down to the new harbor and saw the Alabama, visitors being admitted on board. This celebrated cruiser came in here to coal and victual, for which purpose the Government allowed her forty-eight hours furlough, and they certainly made the most of their time. She is a beautiful boat, built of wood, very long and narrow, her greatest beam being thirty feet ; barque rigged, with a short thick funnel between the fore and main masts, from the latter of which she files no end of a pennant When you go on board you are disappointed at the lack of discipline; the officers, a coddish-looking lot, dressed in shabby grey and gilt uniforms, seeming to be little cared for by the sailors, who for the most part seem to be very like British Jack tars, and were sitting about at their ease, declining, I believe, on the score of their being volunteers to do more work than they think necessary; consequently the vessel is dirty, with the exception of the engines and guns, which are in beautiful order. Comfort seems quite at a discount, and altogether the whole thing strikes you as having a devil-may-care look, quite what one expected to find. This vessel, as you know, was built by Laird, of Liverpool, who certainly gave them value for their money, and it is marvellous how great strength has been combined with perfect symmetry of shape. She is over 1000 tons, lies low in the water, and carries all her guns on the upper deck, three on each side — thirty- two pounders I think — and two Urge pivots, one fore and tho other alt, the former of which throws 110 lbs. two miles. Her engines are below water-mark, with tho coal bunkers around the sides, so that the engines will be about the last part to Butter in any action. Her usual speed when cruising is about ten miles an hour, but when chased or chasing she goes from fifteen or twenty, and Bails well under canvass. The cutwater is not marked, so that it is impossible to Bay how many feet she draws. I did not see the captain, but his cabin is a rum little place in the shape of a horso'B shoe, next to which comes the chief olficers mess-room, with their cabins along the two side*, then the engine-room, or rather the space above the engines, after which and up to tho bowß is the 'tween decks occupied by the men."