TELEGRAMS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3233, 23 June 1871, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

I/Stielton : 22nd— 7.20 a.m., Lord Ashley, from Wellington ; 530 a.m , Wanganui, from Wellington j 6.20 a.m., Wellington, from "Wellington. Napiee: 22nd— 2.25 p.m., Rangatira, for Wellington. The 8.8. Eangitoto, Captain H. Macfeie, left Hobson's Bay at 2 p.m. on the 13th inst, She arrived off the Boulder Bant,. Nelson, at noon on the 20th ; entered the harbor at 9 o'clock the same nie;ht j left for Wellington at 11 p.m. on the 21st, and arrived alongside the wharf at 12 o'clock yesterday. The 8.8. Gothenburg, Captain Pearce, arrived in harbor at 10 a.m. yesterday from Melbourne, via the Bluff, Dunedin, Oamaru, and Lyttelton. She left Hobson's^Bay on the Bth, at 2 p.m., and cleared the heads at 6.15 p.m.; arrived at Dunedin 'at 7.45 a.m. on the 15th; left for Oamaru at 4,30 p.m. on the 18tb, arriving at 10 p.m. ; left Oamaru at 7.30 p.m. on the 19th, and arrived at Lytteltou on the 20th 5 left Lyttelton at 3 p.m. on the 21bI-, and arrived as above. We have to thank Mr Hart, purser, for files. The Flying Squadron, under Rear-Admiral Beaucbamp Seymour, C.8., is to bo at Bermuda early in May. The G-alatea, Captain his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, arrived at Monle Video on March 12. Mr Reed, the late Chief Constructor of the British Navy, it is said, has just received and accepted an official invitation to visit the dockyards and arsenals of Russia. The regulations for the formation of a seamen pensioners' reserve have been receired afc Chatham from the Admiralty. All petty officers and seamen under 46 years of age will be allowed to join now ; but after March, 1872, only seamen, gunners, and trained men will be entered. The men will be called out every -alternate year for thirty days' drill at sea, or st Portsmouth, Portland, Devonporfc, or any Other place that may be specified. A double lmnch took place at Chatham Dockyard on March 25. They were the Scourge and the Snake, iron gunboats. Their dimensions are : — Length between perpendiculars, 85 feet j extreme breadth, 26 feet I|inchea ; burthen in tons, 244. They have no armor plating, and the iron with which thoy are built is not more than fin. thick in any part. Each vessel will carry one of the 18 ton guns, so that they will be able to cope with iron-clad vessels, and be nt a considerable advantage; for while able to fire at along range, so small a portion of the vessel will be above water that a very small object will bo in view of the enemy. The sides of the vessels are only about two feet above the water, with bulwarks above two feet high. The gun will bo at the head of the vessel ; it will be completely under cover when being loaded, and will only be lifted to be fired. The engines will give a great amount of speed, and the email draught will enable the vessels to ascend very shallow rivers. The ship-building trade on the Clyde continues brisk, and during the month of March several contracts for the larger class of steamships have been entered into. The launches during Maroh have amounted to fully over ' the average tcnaage, although less than the corresponding month of the previous year, which was unusually high. Tho Q-erman Lloyds agents for Cardiff reports tlmt the Marquis of Bute, the proj>rietor of the Cardiff Docks, has refunded the dock dues paid for all German ships detained in that port since the commencement of the war Several of our country's vessels have received a sum equivalent to tho whole cost of laying by. The owners of these last wish herewith to express their most sincere thanks to his lordship for his noble and disinterested behaviour towards them. The work of raising the steam-tug Hercules from her position in Humbug Reach, in tho Yarra river, has been entirely successful, and yesterday she was taken up on Wright's patent slip for overhaul and repair. Notwithstanding the difficulties attendant on tho lifting of her, the operation, which was under the supervision of Captain Dent and Mr Ruglan, was carried through in a very short space of time, and every credit is due to all engaged for the manner in which they exerted themselves. After moving her as far as Raleigh's Bar, steam was got up and the engines started, BO that she might steam to the slip ; but, owing to the outside bearings of the starboard

paddle-box being in the way of the wheel tho attempt had to be given up, and she was towed clown to the bay. A special survey wa3 hold by Captains D. M'CaUum and Tuvnev, and tho steamer was also viewed by Captain Payne, chief harbor master, and Captains Fullarton and Devlin. Tho diving operations in the raising of tho Hercules were conducted by Mr In <»ram, and in pumping her out two of Appofd's seven inch centrifugal pumps, imported by Mr H. P. Wolch were employed. Tenders for repairs to the steamer will at once be called for.—" Argus," June 8.