ARRIVAL OF THE " CONSTELLATION."

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VII, Issue 374, 18 June 1880, Page 19

ARRIVAL OF THE " CONSTELLATION."

Dxjblin, April 20, 1880. — The Constellation arrived at Q ueens town this morning at nine o'clock, and received orders from the committee to proceed to Galway immediately. She experienced fearful weather on her voyage across the Atlantic. Her chain plates on the port and starboard sides were both started, and her masts slightly sprung. The captain says that he must lay up for a few days for repairs. The Duke of Edinburgh has ordered Admiral Hamilton, at Queenstown, to furnish a tug to tow the ship around to Galway if the captain wishes. The weather is stormy from the west. A Bmall part of the cargo must be unloaded at Queenstown, as there is danger that it will be spoiled. The Lord Mayor of Dublin and Mr. W. Lane Joyce, ex-Lord Mayor, have been appointed as a committee by the Mansion House Committee to go and welcome the Constellation.

The Mayor of Cork and Mr. Shaw, M.P., with the Harbor Master and American Consul, boarded the Constellation this afternoon. The Mayor said that if the Constellation would stop at Queenstown, he promised it a warm reception. Personally he felt great sstisf action that the ship had arrived there. Mr. Hepworth arrived to-night, and a consultation will be held in the morning. Great admiration is expressed for the splendid seamanship and magnificent trip made by the ve-sel. The captain pressed her all the way and has arrived just in time to make good that part of the cargo which would have been almost useless if it had come later, namely, the potatoes. The officers will be splendidly received. The Mayors of Cork and Dublin mean to show them every attention. The ship is at the government moor-

ings off White Point. She received a great ovation along the foreshore and from large crowds on the Admiralty Pier. The captain and officers will be entertained to-night by Consul Brooks at the Queenstown Consulate. London, April 22. — Lord Mayor Gray, of Dublin, has invited the officers of the frigate Constellation to a ball at the Mansion House. The officers have accepted. All the Irish railways have generously offered to carry the goods free, but there are very many places which the railway cannot reach. The old Constellation looked dirty and battered, exhibiting

plain signs of her fearful voyage. Another gale would most likely have carried away the main-mast. But no American could help feeling pride in her splendid sailing qualities, and the fine seamanship which had carried her through so many gales. The American officers were objects of curiosity and admiration, especially the captain, whose manly and handsome presence caused him. to be described as

the type of an American sailor. When the Lord Mayor arrived on board he was introduced to each officcv. After the party had been wtpwn through the ship under the guia..:;ce of Captain Potter, Mr. IF <# th and Mr. Billings, they went to the captain's cabin, where Mr. Gray briefly and formally extended a welcome to the officers. In a graceful speech he thanked them and their country for their generosity in coming to the assistance of the starving peasantry of Ireland. He invited the officers to a ball and reception at the Mansion House, at a date which would be described later. The

captain responded in a few words, accepting the invitation. Mr. Hepworth also briefly expressed thanks in behalf of the committee. A great result is hoped for in the introduction of the new seed potato, while the canned soup and flour will do much good to the sick and

aged as a change of diet. Both will be used to a great extent for hospital purposes among the sick and along the coast, famine fever having broken out in many places. Queenstown, April 24. — The Constellation lies at Queenstown, surrounded by English gunboats. After a consultation between her officers and Messrs. Hepworth and King Harman, it was arranged that the Imogene is to go to North Donegal, the Hawk to West Donegal with the Islands and headlands, the Goshawk to Sligo, the Amelia to northwest Mayo, the Bruiser to the West Galway coast, the Orwell to the West Galway Islands, the Valorous and lively to South Galway and its Islands. The object of the committee is to give the greater part of the food to those places where it is difficult to find provisions at any price, such as on the Islands. It is evident where meal may be bought it is better to send money. This is what the committee is doing. The unloading began to-day. The Imogene, coming alongside about one, took aboard 150 assorted barrels and started immediately for Skibbereen, Cork. She will return for her other cargo for Donnegal. As she departed her captain ran the American flag up the forepost. Other gunboats, including the Lively, did the same. After the fleet has been loaded, the remainder of the cargo will be distributed by rail. It is expected that the Constellation will be entirely cleared out by May 15 or 20.