1881-10-26 — Page 3

THE NEW CHINESE GUNBOATS.

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH-WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26TH, 1881.

THIS DAY, ONE P.M. Owing to the arrival of the English mail operations on the Stock Exchange have been practically suspended this morning, so that there is absolutely nothing of importance. to report Banks are weak at annexed quo tation, but as nothing whatever has been dono in the shape of business, the publis morely of a nominal character. Docks are must not be misled by figures which are also quiet, and although a few shares have chauged hands at 31 per cent premium, the stook is now offered in some places ot 30 for onsh. Hotols are also on the market, but we have notheard offors to sell meet Sugar Raining Company are rather firmor with any response. The shares of the China

apparently be glad to deal at 165 por sharo, than was the case yesterday and buyers would

although up to the present, they have declin- ed to advance on that figure.

SHARES.

Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corpo- ration-109 per cont. promium, Sellers. Union Insurance Society of Canton-$1,650

per share. China Traders' Insurance Company-$1,600

por share... North-China Insurance Company-TIs. 1,125

per share. Yangtaza Insurance Association-Tis. 830

per share,

two 25-ton broooh-loading Armstrong COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. (BY OUR SPECIAL COMMISSIONER.) -guús, one on each end of the vessel; four There can be no question that scienco, 10-pounder brocch-loading Armstrongs, during the past two doondes, has made broadsido; two 9-poundors, two Nordon- gigantio strides more so, probably than feldts, and four Gatlings. The three last- in any equal period of the world's history. mentioned can be hoisted into two largo When applied to the build and equipinout steam launches carried on board; and of lighting ships, this will be admitted by made useful on various kinds of service; overy, one conversant with an interested Agront novelty in the Albiai-gun-car- in the subject, and, fram such, the two re- riago, which, besides occupying very little markable vessels, which recently arrivod space, is fitted with the hydraulic baffor in this harbour olaim special attention.

which entirely proventa recoil, the only They have boon designated "ram oruisors,"

movement of the carriage after discharging and possibly this may be the boat name to the gun being a slight elevation of the arm apply to them, for they certainly cannot on oither side. The big guns are on the be ranked or rated by any of the usual main deck. which is of iron, the midship torms known to naval men; that they are section in which are the cabins, &o., being "rams" is true, and they are fully entitled covered with wood; above the cabins is n to be called "cruisers," for they steam 16

hurricane deck and conning station, boats, knots and are good sea boats. In their do- &e. At a distance from the ship, the big sign and construction, however, the Dlswick guas appear to be in turrets, but on getting builders have sacrificed everything to one

inboard I discovered that they were only idon; thus they have succeeded in sending surrounded by a screen-bullotandsplintor-. forth two of the most formidable vessels of proof-which falls down when neces their tonnage now afloat, but of architec- sary, that is whos the storn gan is trainod tural bounty there is not a line. But this forward or the how gun trained aft. To is the order of the day. Although not yet say that those guns throw a 10-inch shot the age of Old Parr," I romeinber sail-givos no idea to the uninitiated of the size ing ships being put into commission, and cannot help heaving a sigh of regrot when looking back at the magnificent models of bygone days. To my mind, the hand- somest ships that evor floated were the woodon steam frigates built during the ton years between 50 and 60. In the lattor year the Warrior was launelied, and sinco that time naval: construators have vied with each other in producing floating mon-plating is a thing of the past. With re strosities until the dome of ugliness has at length boon reached which it would seem impossible to overstep. The Chao-yung could never be taken for a ship were she placed alongside such a craft na tho Ariadne or durera, the Clio or the Con- stauce, the Lifry, Liverpol, Mersey Phabc, or Forta. The beautiful lino+ of these vessels wore never surpassed in any ago or country, and never will be, although immediately preceding them (omitting, of course, the era of paddle-whigols) there were some very smart sailing soventy fours, frigates, and sloops in the British Navy. One of the last of these I remem ber meating a few miles off the Lizard, homoward bound from the Chinn Station; this was the Calcuts-a country ship, I believe taken home by that woll-known captain."Billy" King Hall, afterwards Admiral and K.C.B. She was making for Plymouth, and, with all plain sail set and a light breeze on her quarter, was a sight that will never more be soon on any sca.

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of the missile, it being an elongated sphere weighing 400lbs., and a battering chargo of 180lbs. of powder gives the shot an initial velocity of 2,000 foot per second, with penetration through 20 inches of iron. Although guns of greater power continue to be mad those figures, alone are suffi cient to show that this battle of ordnance versus armour, is over, and that armour-

gard to the vossols' ramming poor, it would not appear to an onomy that such a mancource woull be put into execution, no spur being placed upon them; but they ram with the bow, which is an immenso stal forging, covered by a superstructure which falls away on having contact. The halls were built at Walker, by Mossra. Mitchell & Co.; the engines were male by Mossrs. R and W Hawthorn; the whole armont is by Sir Wm. Armstrong and Co., and the ships fittings were supplied by Mossra. Thompson and Ga., of London, and Mr. G. F. Bolton. of Newcastle,

K

The crow, a smart hard looking crowd, for Chinoso, appeared to me to bo mostly northern men. The European officers master nine in each craft-death having roduced the number by one since leaving England-eaptain lioatonant, five engi nsers, doctor, utgunnar.. Capt. Clayson late of Her Majesty's navy, and sometime Assistant Coumissioner of Oustoms, is senior of cor and in the Admiral's ship; Capt. Johnstone has the Funwn; Lieut Alançon was also in the English navy, un i distinguished himself in Captain Glover's exprision to oomise, being specially mintioned in daspatches. Mr. James Kirkwood, so will known in China for his scientific attainments, was at home on loave from the Fel-hoo, and was called. upon as it expiration, to superintend the fitting of the machinery in the Admiral's ship, in which he now is chief-engineer; and Me. Wulfen lon is in charge of the engines of the Yung-wei. All those officers are old China hauds, and azo well known at most ports on the Coast.

CORRESPONDENCE.

[We do not hold'iarsolva's responsible for the opinions exprosse 1 by Correspondents).

A VOICE FROM THE STOKE-(TOLE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE "HONGKONO TELEGRAPH,”

Chiness Insurance Company-33071 per

sbaro, sellers.

Man On Insurance Company, Limited-326

per share preinium."

On Tai Insuranco Company, Limited-Tis.

150 per share.

Hongkong Fire Insurance Company-$950

per share, Sollers. Chin's Fire Insurance Company-$280 per Hongkong and Whampoa Dock Company-

shaco, Sellers.

30 per cent: premium, sellers. Hongkong, Canton, and Macao Steamboat

Company-Si par shara premium," Buyers.

Chins Coast Steam Navigation Company-

Tis. 162.par.share.

Sellers.

Hongkong Gas Company-880 per share. Hongkong Hotal Company $105 per share, China Sugar Refining Company, Limitpa- China Sugar Refining Company (Debentures)

$155 per share, Sales.

-

-3 par cent. premium. Hongkong Ice Company-$123 por share. Hongkong aal Caina Bakery Company,

Linita1-850, por share.

Chiness Imperial Government Loan of 1878.

- por cant. pranium, ex interest. Chiness Imperial Government Loan of 1881

134 par cont. premium,"

EXCHANGE.

On LONDON-Bank Bills, TT......... 3/81 Bank Billy at 30 days' sight. 3/83. Bank Bills, at 4 months' sight Cralits, at 4 months' sight

3/91 ...... 3/9 Documentary Bills, 4 months' sight. 9/94 On PARIS-Bank Bills, on dem ind.

Ocelita, at 4 months' sight О1 BOMBAY Bank, T.T. On CALCUTTA-Bank, TT. On SHANGHAI-Bank, T.T. Privato, 89 days' sight

1.69

4:31

223

223

731

787

HONGKONG TEMPERATURE (TAKEN AT MESSRS, FALCÓNER AND CO's REGISTER, QUEEN'S-ROAD)," Hongkong, 25th and 26th October. BAROMETER--1 P.M.

Do.

+ P.. THERMOMETER-1 P.X.

Do.. Do. Do.

„30,016 · .20.976 .83. ..84.

4 P.M...... IP.X. (Wet bulb)...77. BAROMETER.-9 A.M.

4 P.M. Do. ...79. THERMOMETER-9 AM.

..$0.028 76.-

But this is a digression. I must "pips down my reminiscences or I will never arrive at deseription of the gunboats; and Ivory much question wasther any description will convey an alaquito id of these peculiar craft. At any rate, it was not my intention to go far into figuras until, having my attention drawn to some errors which had erept into the re- port published in the Daily Press, and having the official weights and measure.. ments placed at my disposal, on that no- count I determined to do so, although the figures and my devintion from the plain course I started on will draw this article out to an unconscionable length. In tho first place, considering the immenso power of their armament and the quantity of complicated machinery they are fitted with, these are most inexpensive vessels, costing less than £100,000 each. They were de- signed and constructed (hull, engines, and guns) under the superintendence of Mr. Goo, W. Rendel, ons of the firm, who did similar work on the "Alphabeticals."- At Sia, left the Colony on iny usual duty present there is only one other of a pro-

before the mooting was held at which cisely similar type, and that was built för it was intended to decide the form of celo- the Chilians. Built of steel, with twin bration for the coming St. Andrew's Day, screws, they have a displacement of 1,310 Since my return, however. I have read the tons; they measure 220 feat over all, but proceedings of the meeting, and am glad owing to their build the length between to learn that an entertainment has been the porpendiculars cannot be much loss, decided upon bast calculated, to give the and the beam is 32 foot; with the bunkers greatest amount of pleasure to those who full a mean draft of 15 feet is reckoned, invito and those invited. But that is not but the conl space is great enough at half- the object of my writing. My letter is to Oct. speed for 28 days. The engines are a pair protest against the piece of unwarrantable of horizontal compounds, fitted with Mar-impudence on the part of one of the sponk- shall's patent valve gear, with cylinders of 30 and 60 inches diametor, and a 30-inch stroko; and with a pressure of 95lbs., 124 revolutions were obtained, which gave an indicated horse-power of 2,300; theso with the boilers are built on the most approved principles, and with a hull romarkably sharp afterward, and a fine run aft, the vessels did all they were asked to do on the steam triala. The Yung-wei made a run of 40 knots in 24 hours, while the Chao- yung's trial was 15.93, or only 7-100ths in the hour behind her consort, and that decimal less than 16'knots an hour. This is a good speed-good enough to get away from anything dosirable to leave behind. The machinery is extensive, independent of the engines. The big guns are worked by hydraulics, as are also the 40-pounders, there is an engine for the blower, an ar- rangement which serves as a ventilator for the engine-room and stoke-hole as well as a blast for the furnaces; then there is an engine, with a separate boiler, for the electric light, the lamp being fixed on the fore part of the hurricane dock, and being on a pivot shows a light around the com- pass when the approach of torpedo-bonts a suspected in fact nearly ororgthing-is--mak-a-mon suppose it can be con done hy machinery, the greater part of which is three feet below, the water line beside being protected by the enormous coal bunkere. The armament consists of

ers who dared to say that "without the assistance of the gentlemen favouring a banquot, who for years had saorificed their principles. no ball could be given, Does the speaker reokon himself one of the gen- tlemen P If so, las he sacrificed all his principles, or has ho any lott to sacrifice P Few persons in this Colony know better than he who delivered himself of this im- pertinence that a considerable sumalways comes out of the. "stoke-holes," and from men who know they will not be in harbour to participate in the festivity. I've got no wifo or sister in Hongkong to take to the ball, and in the ordinary course of events shall be at sen on St. Androw's Day, but I would be sorry to miss the opportunity of contributing, as I have done for yours, to the enjoyment of my countrymen and women who live the good fortune to live

shore, and their friends whom they will invito. "I was astonished when I read that, referenco to the "stoko-hole; but well. I know that inuny a better man may be found who earns his bread as the ongineer of a steamer than the gentleman who has sacrificed his principles above roterred to. **Meat Facde, an' olaith gleeds, but mannors

Do: Do, Do.

9 A.M. (Wet Bulb)...71. Maximum..................84. Minimum(over night)...75.

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

ARRIVALS.

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Gilham, and Birch. From Malta.-Lieut. 7. H. Simpson. From Brindisi, Dr. Willis. From Singapore.Licut. Cox," Mr. Trotter, and 64 Chinito. From Bom- bay for Yokohams.-Dr. F. Lyons. From Southampton for Shanghai-Mrs. Ram- say, infant child, and amah, Mrs. Farmer, infant and child, and Miss B. Pritty. From Singapore for Shanghai-Mr. Swot- tenham.

DEPARTUD.

Per Yangtao, steamor, for Shanghai, Colonel Hand, and Mr. José Maria Quodes.

Por Catterthun, steamer, for Port Dar- win, &o., 1 European and 20 Chinese,

For Thales, steamer, for Swatow, £o, 1 European and 200 Chine30.

REPORTS.

The Chinoso atoamor Fa-yow reports:-- ber, had strong N.E. galo and cloudy with Left Shanghai at 7 a.m. on the 19th Octo-

high sen to Amoy, arrived at Amoy on October 21st at 4 p.m; loft Amoy on the 21th inst. at 5 p.m.; and arrived at Hong- kong at 11 p.m. on the 25th inst, had Ñ. E. inonsoon and fine weathor from Amoy to Hongkong.

MAILS.

The following mails will close TO-DAY, 26th October,

For Chefoo and Newchwang, per Pala-

din, at 5 p.m.

TO-MORROW, 27th October,-

For Swatow, por Yottung, at 7.80 a.m. On FRIDAY, 28th October,-

For Kobe and Yokohama per Takasago Maru, at 3.30 pm. For Bangkok, per Rajanatfianular, at õ p.m...

On MONDAY, 31st Octóber,

For the United Kingdom and Europe, vin Brindisi, to the Straits Settle meats, Batavia, Burmah, Ceylon, In- dia, Aden. Egypt, Malta, Gibraltar, and Mauritius, por Khiva: printed matter at 2 p.m., letters at 3 p.m. On THURSDAY, 3rd November

For Straits and Bombay, per Avoca, at 2.30 p.m. For Port Darwin, Cook- town, Townsville, Brisbane, Sydney. Melbourne, &o., pór Ocean, at 3.30 p.m.

On SATURDAY, 29th Octobor,-

For Japan, San Francisco, the United States, Canada, Honolula, Peru, &c., por Gaelic, at 2,30 p.m.

On MONDAY, 7th November,-

For the United Kingdom and Europe, via Naples to Saigon, Straits Settle ments, Batavia, Burmah, Ceylon, the Australasian Colonies, Pondicheory, Madras, Calcutta, Adon, Egypt, Malta and Gibraltar, per Sindh, for printed matter at 10 a.m, and letters at 11 a.mi.

According to the recent census the population of Canada has increased from 3,206,288 in 1861, to 4,390,989 in 1881.

The Board of Trade has received despatch from Her Majesty's Acting Consul in the Philippine Islands, re- porting that pilotage, both inwards and outwards, has recently been minde compulsory at Iloilo for foreign-going vessels. According to the scale of rates which have been fixed, every vessel over 500 tons register will havo to pay $50 for pilotage, and an addi-. tional $5 for the Pilot's boat both inwards and outwards.-Japan Daily Mail.

General Tso's resignation has not 25, Avoca, British steamer, 904, Jed him two months' leave of absence. been accepted, but the Court has grant- P. Hassall, Bombay 5th. Oct., and Singapore 18th, Gonoral.-P. & O. S N. Co: Ott. 25. Fu-Tew, Chinese steamer, 970; Crond, Shanghai and Amoy 19th Oct.,

General-0. M. S. N. Co. 26, Ouen-ro, Chinose gunboat, from

Oct.

Canton.

Oct. 26, GWALIOR, British steamer. 1,719, A. W. Adamson, Bombay, Gallo, Po- Pang, and Singapore, 20th October, Mails and General. -P. & 0. 8. N. Co.

DEPARTURES.

Oct. 25. OATTRATHUN, British steamer, for

Port Darwin.`v Oct. 25, TANAIS, Fronch steamer, for Yo

koliams,

Oct. 26, YANGTSE, French steamer, for

Shanghai.

Oct. 26, THALES, British steamer, for East

Const.

The pressing solicitation of the Gone down at Poking as due to a conviction ral to be relieved from his office is set on the part of Tso that the progress party, headed by Li, are once more in the ascendent, and that the conserva- tives have been deposed from the brief power they possessed immediately after the General's return from Hami, Courier.

A Lloyd's despatch says:-Intelli- Galway, Sept. 12, states that Hor Ma- gonce from Balbuckill, dated Clifden,

jesty's gunboat Merlin had struck on a Ireland, in a sinking condition. Another rock, and arrived at Balbackill, Galway,

on a rock at Kilkerrin Bay, after account atates; that the Merlin struck

arriving from Westport with military and police, where she had been with. process-servers, Sho was got off by the aid of the Redwing. Two holes were made in the side of the Merlin, render further asaigtnucce. At the and the Redwing remaros alugalde to Admiralty it was stated that the Merlin has been on shore, but is now safe in Per Gwalior, British sin, from South-Bass Bay. The Merlin a composite ampton for Hongkong. -Major Mooro-gunboat of 480 tons, and carries four Lano, Liout. G. Hodgkinson, Messrs. guns.

PASSENGERS. ARRIVED

Por Arocs, British steamer, from Bam- bay. Mr. J. Patter, and 21 Chinese.

Shanghai, His Excellency the Chief Judge Per Fu-row. Chinese stormer, from of Kwangsi, R. Von Der Leithen, I. M. Customs, and Mr. Reynell in saloon, and jectured why some folk do not want a ball.128 Chinose in steerage.

Every man wats best whar his ain shoe binds him."-Youre, &o,, McDOALS.

Hongkong, 23rd Qot, 1881.

MacEWEN FRICKE & Co.

GENERAL STORI KEETERS

HAVE FOR SALE.

Crosse & Blackwell'e, Celebrated House-

Groceries.

hold Storos.

John Moir & Sons', Colebrated House- hold Storos.

American Stores of all descriptions. Huntley & Palmer's BISCUITS & CAKES, BUTTER Danish & Franch, Philippe

& Carinud's PATES &...

OHUTNIES & CURRY POWDER TEYSSONEAU'S·· FRUITS in juice.

COFFEE, SUGAR, Co., &c.

Wines, Spirits, &c. CUTLER PALMER & Co.'s "CARTE BLANGUE." HEIDSIC & Co.'e MO- NOPOLE, pts. and qts, ADOLPAR COLLIN'S BOUZY CABINET.

MUMM'S (JULES) CHAMPAGNE

pts, and q's..

NEYENS (BODEN) BOUZY,

pts, and qta.

EXTRA SEC, quarts, Charles Hoidsiqoks's WHITE SEAL, pts. and qts. VEUVE CLIQUOT PON- SARDIN, pts. and qts, Theophile Ros dorer & Co.'s VERZENAY MOUSSEUX, pte, and qts.

Kruga CHAMPAGNE, pts. and qts. OUTLER PALMER & Co.'s CHAT- EAU MOUTON, LORMONT, pints,

and quarts.

ARAUZAN (Chateau), pints and quarts, ERMITAGE LUDON. THIBŒUF (Chateau), pints, and quarts. UHATEAU LAROSE (Curoler & Adet's),

pints and quarts.

CHATEAU LAFITE, pints and quarts." IRES GRAVES. pints and quarts. OLD INVALID OLARET. BREAKFAST CLARET, pints & quarts,

St. JULIEN, &o, &o. Breakfast Claret.

Chambertin, Chablis (White), Liebfrau Burgundy, Hock, Sherries, &c. milch, Hockheimer, Niersteiner, Stein-

berger Cabinet, Rudesheimer Borg, Koninin Vistoria Berg, Chateau Yquem, Grand Vin, Haut Sauterne Marsala, Saccone's

Pale Dry White Scal Sherry, Yellow Beal Amontilado Sherry, Cutler Palmer and Co.'s Sherry, Invalid Port (1848), Hunt's Port. Brandy, Whisky, Liqueurs,

1, 2 and 3-star Hennessy's Brandy La Grande Marque Brandy,

Cutler Palmer & Co.'s Brandy, Bouyer Guillot & Co.'s Brandy, 1 to 4 stars: Finest Old Bourbon-

Whisky, bighly recommended, Kinahan's LL Irish Whisky, Jamieson's Irish- Whisky, Royal Glendes Whisky AVH Gio, Swaine Boord &. Cove Old Tom

Gin; La Grande Chartreuse, Green- and Yellow, Maraschino de Zara; Ouragon, pints and quarts; Angostura, Boker's and Orange Bitters,

&c.,

BASS'S ALE, bottled by Cameron and Saunders, pints and quarts.. GUINNESS'S STOUT, bottled by E& J. Burke, pintas and quarts.. PILSENER BEER, in quarts. DRAUGHT ALE and PORTER, by

the Gallon.

Fino ALE, bottled by MacEwen, Frickel & Co. ALE and PORTER, in hosgheads

Mrated Waters.. SODA WATER,

LEMONADE,·

TONIC WATER.

SARSAPARILLA,

*., &c., &o.

The Finest Stooks of CIGARS, CAVITE CHEROOTS, PRINCESA CHEROOTS. PRINCESA CIGARS, AROCEROS, VEGUEROS,

&0 "PERFECTION" All Specially Selected. EMPRESS OF INDIA, and Best NAVY

STATIONERY, BOOKS &C. Franklin Square Library,

Seaside" Library,... Harper's Half-hour Series.

French Novels.

Medical Works.

School Books.

Presentation Books...

Works of referande &et- Stationery for Ladies and Office use, Diroot from the manufacturers the bes

and Cheapest in Hongkong. Special orders in this line excuted on

very moderate terms. Papers ruled to any pattern and stamped

Plain, cameo or relief. Dies engraved to order. Office requisites

of every description. filner's FireProof Safes, Cash and Deed

Boxos, Brushware, Cutlery, Crockery, and Glassware. Builder's Hardware material, Sporang Guns. Revolvers and Sporting ammunition. Sailmaking and Rigging promptly

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