The Sun.
London, England, 1867-09-13 00:00:00

DESIRUC2ION OF THE ARCADI.

The following is a translation from the Greek of
the report of Captain A. Courantis, late captain of
the Arcadi, on the destruction of that vessel, to the
Board of Directors of the Greek Steam Navigation
Company at Syra

" OMALOS, Aug. 12-24.

"We left Syra on the morning of Sunday, the
6-18th inst., and anchored at Aya-Routneli abut
eleven o'clock the same night. During the run
across we met with no obstacle, but we had
scarcely commenced landing our cargo when the men
on the look-out reported that several of the enemy's
cruisers were in sight, and were making towards the
spot where we lay. In =sequence, after having
put ashore three boats' loads of our cargo, and taken
off three families and 30 volunteers, we were obliged
to steam for Preveli in the province of Ay-Vassili.
We had not, however, anchored in this latter creek
when the appearance of other Turkish cruisers and
the approach of daylight caused us to change our
tactics and put out to sea with the idea of re-
turning the next night towards the coast. We spent
the whole day of Monday, the 7-19th, behind the
small island of Ganda, and at night, about nine
o'clock, were heading for Aya-Roumeli, when
we perceived a Turkish steamer bearing down on
us, which we recognised as the same that had
blockaded the Arcadi in the port of Cerigotto about
three months ago. On seeing her we immediately
turned back, and the Turkish steamer having by
means of various signals given the alarm to the
other vessels of the blockading squadron, opened
fire when she got within about two miles of us.
After an hour's chase, when the cruiser had reached
within musket shot, we replied with our ship-guns,
while our sailors and the volunteers on board,
being all armed, opened a smart and well• sustained
fire upon the enemy. In this way, firing and
fired at, we arrived abreast of Cape Krion
Metopon (Ramshead), when we sighted two other
Turkish cruisers bearing down upon us. Just as we
were doubling the Cape, a shell from the enemy
damaged the shaft of our starboard paddlewheel,
which stopped acting, so that the Arcadi losing her
way on, and lopsided on account of her broken
wheel, began to bear round of her own accord. We
therefore turned head on to the Turkish steamer,
which immediately sent a full broadside into us, and
then, following our movement, ran down upon us at
full speed. The collision took place at once, and if
we had not manoeuvred so as to avoid being taken
full side on, we must inevitably have been sunk ;
bat, as the ship still answered her helm, we managed
to escape the most dangerous shock, so that the
enemy's bow struck us only obliquely on the starboard
bow, which she stove in, both paddle-boxes jamming
against each other. At this critical moment all my
men displayed remarkable coolness and courage ;
axe in hand, they dashed forward to board the
enemy, but uufortun ately she was higher than us, and
only three succeeded in clambering over her bulwarks
and jumping upon her deck, where they fell, riddled
with wounds. Both vessels steamed on in this
way fighting side by side for about a quarter of
an hour, at the end of which the well-sustained
fire of our men had silenced that of the enemy ;
their crew had been swept off the paddle-bridge,
and a portion of them had been driven off their
deck, when the Turkish commander sheered off
from us, and backed his vessel away. But notwith-
standing the retreat of the enemy, seeing that we
were in danger of sinking if we pursued our course,
and that we were in the midst of three fires, after
three hourslafighting, I turned the Arcadi's head to
land, and ran her ashore. We subsequently effected
the landing in safety of the families wo
had on board, the volunteers, and the crew.
Having got all these ashore we set fire to our ship
in order that it might not fall into the hands of the
enemy. In this combat we lost three of our crew
killed and seven wounded ; there were also 10
volunteers wounded. After landing we proceeded
to Omalos.—l am, &c.,

(Signed)

~A. COURANTIS, Captain.

" PA—After three days' march I arrived with
the other officers, the engineers, and the crew at
Omalos, where we have found but little relief on
account of the destitution which prevails here. The
sailors are barefooted and naked, although the
Cretan deputies promised us pecuniary aid.

" A. C."

Foreign inau raoKet List.

MAILS DUE.

Australia and New Zealand, via tiouthamptou Sept.l9.
Ditto, via Marseilles Sept. 13.
Ditto, via Panama •••••••• • •
Brazil, Buenos Ayres, and Monte Vide% Oct. 4.
Ditto, by French packet
Cape Verde, by Brazil paotet ...... . • Oct:. 4.
L;spo of Good lope. Ascension. anti St. ilelens Sept. 27.
China, Penang. and Singapore, via douthampton Se, t. 19.
Ditto, via Marseilles Sept, 13
Falk I a n d islands . Oct. 4
4ibraltar, via Southatapton Sept. 19.
ludm, via Southampton
Ditto, via Mansell es
Italia, EgYPt• .to• • • ''''''''' ...••••
........Sept. 19.
Ditto, blarseilles il.pt. 13.
.llauritius, Cape of 'Good live, and Natal, via
Sept. 19.
Southampton Sept. 13.
Ditt ~ via JiltreCi les
Portugal
........................ ......... ,Sept 1.5
Sewfoundland
Ditto, by privateship to Oporto .
Ditto ditto to Lisbon
[Tufted States, Canada, California, dtc., vy British
packet
Ditto, by United States packet .
Ditto ditto (New York;
Ditto ditto (New York) •
Ditty ditto (Baltimore)
Ditto, by Canadian packet .... Sept. 13.
West Coast of Africa, Madeira, and Teneritfe......Sept. 16.
Weat Indies and Pacific (except Mexico and Baha-
mas) Sept. 13

Cuba and Mexico ....Sept. 'tn.
Bahamas, via New York oat. 9
Bermuda, via llalifax

MARLBOROUGH COLLEGE.—We are informed that
scarlatina has recently broke out in this college, and the
matter has assumed so serious an aspect that the boys are
leaving for their homes in large numbers until the diseasq
hal disappeared from the establishment,

IRELAND•

DUBLIN, Sept. 12.

The magisterial inquiry at Rathfriland was re-
sumed yesterday. Mr. Rea having unsuccessfully
attempted to show that one of the parties accused
was not in the procession, the magistrates decided
that, with the exception of one against whom there
was no evidence, they would send all the defendants
for trial.

The following parties (Roman Catholics) were
then sent forward for trial to the next Downpatrick
Assizes ou a charge of riot and unlawful assembly :
—John Devlin, Thomas Murphy, John M'Poland,
Edward M‘Poland, Patrick Norris, Hugh Francis
O'Hara, Patrick Dyer, Thomas Ilannathy, Joseph
Tumor, Daniel M'Harrison, Arthur Devlin, Owen
Faren, Jas. Chas. Burns, and Jas. Morgan.
Another group of the Catholics who formed part
of the procession from Barnmeen were put forward
charged with riot and unlawful assembly at Augh-
navollogue on the 15th August. Their names are
John Maguire, John Lieman, John Burns, Francis
M'Convill, Hugh Higgans, John Hillan, Daniel
Carr, Jas. Smith, Peter Downey, Patrick Downey,
Michael Downey, Daniel M'Conville, Patrick Brady,
E !ward .111‘Kenna, Michael Sally, James O'Hagan,
John Morgan, John Carroll, and Hugh M'Alinden.
The evidence was to the same effect as that given in
the previous cases. The inquiry was again ad-
journed.
The annual show of the Lisnaskea Agricultural
Society was held yesterday. It was superior in ex-
tent and quality to many of the provincial shows
which have preceded it this season. Another show
of greater magnitude was also held yesterday at
Athy, under the auspices of the County of Kildare
Agricultural Society, in the park which the Duke
of Leinster liberally presented to the inhabitants.
This society is conducted with great intelligence
and energy, and its progress is highly satisfactory.
The show yesterday was better than those of for-
mer years. Special prizes were offered by Lord
Otho Fitzgerald and the Baron de Robeck to
encourage the breed of horses, but as yet the attempt
has not been remarkably successful, the perfor-
mances of the animals which competed for the prizes
being far short of what might be expected in such a
country. There was a splendid exhibition of stock
and agricultural produce, and a very creditable col-
lection of implements by a local maker. In the even-
ing the members of the society dined together in the
Corn Exchange, at which the Marquis of Kildare
presided. In returning thanks for the toast of the
" Houses of Lords and Commons," Lord Otho
Fitzgerald, alluded to the subject of railway
management, and expressed a hope that the Govern-
ment would undertake the matter. The Rev. R.
W. Bagot, the honorary secretary, in responding to
the toast of his health, enumerated cups and ether
prizes which were to be offered at future shows, and
referring to the importance of such societies in re-
ference to the condition of the labouring classes,
exhorted the landed proprietors of Ireland, if they
wished to have contentment established and dis-
affection removed, to see that the labourers were
well housed. Ile recommended the erection of good
houses for them, with an acre or half an acre of
ground attached.
The visit of the Lords of the Admiralty to Cork
has called forth a strong expression of dissatisfac-
tion iii reference to the construction of the Royal
dockyard. The Cork Examiner indignantly com-
plains that up to the present " the works have been a
mere mockery of the hopes they were intended to
fulfil ;" that of the £40,800 voted in the estimates
not one-fourth has yet been expended ; and that the
object appears to be to do as little as possible in
order that the Board may at a future time abandon
the distasteful job without much loss. The First
Lord is appealed to as an Irishman to show his
patriotic feeling by putting a stop to the " Admiralty
dodging." The Cork people have some reason for
being out of humour, as little earnestness has
hitherto been shown in carrying out this Irish pro-
ject, upon which they have set their hearts.
The port of Waterford, which has been steadily
improving for some time, chiefly owing to the
enterprise of the Messrs. Malcohnson, is about to
mike another step in advance by the establishment
of a dry dock near the city. Mr. Stephen, the engi-
neer of the Harbour Commissioners, has examined
a suitable site, and furnished an estimate of the
probable cost, amounting to £42,570, and, subject
to the approval of the engineer-in-chief, the work
will be commenced at once.

THURSDAY NIGHT.

Lord Hubert Canning Burke was returned to-
day for Galway without opposition. He was pro-
posed by Mr. Bodkin, and the nomination was se-
conded by Capt. Blakeney.
A meeting was afterwards held, at which it was
resolved to erect a statue to the late Lord Dun-
kellin.

THE LORDS OF IHE ADMIRALTY IN
LIVERPOOL.

Yesterday, Mr. Corry, Chief Lord of the Admi-
ralty, and Admiral Milne, paid a visit to Liverpool,
their principal object being to take part in the
annual distribution of prizes on board the school
frigate Conway. A numerous and fashionable
company assembled on board the Conway, the deck
of which had been covered in and suitably decorated
for the occasion. In the absence of the mayor,
who was in attendance at the marriage of his eldest
son, Mr. Edward Lawrence, Deputy Mayor, pre-
sided, and amongst those present were Mr. Hors-
fall, M.P., Mr. Laird, Mr. R. Brocklebank,
chairman of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board,
Mr. Beazley, chairman of the Conway Committee,
and other gentlemen. Letters of apology for non-
attendance were read by the Secretary, Mr. Clarke
Aspinall, from Sir John Hay, Sir John Kingcombe,
Capt. Mends, R.N., Capt. Paynterib• " R N Mr. S.
It. Graves, M.P., and others. The secretary also
read the reports of the examiners. Mr. H. W.
Jaynes, late examiner and Mathematical Mas-
ter at the Royal Naval College, said—" I
have examined the papers set for the last Mid-
summer Examination in Navigation and Nautical
Astronomy, and found on comparing the
work done by the students in these sub-
jects with the corresponding papers of last year that,
satisfactory as was the previous examination, a
marked and decided improvement both in the theore-
tical 'and practical parts of nautical astronomy is
shown in the present examination. . . . They
are certainly worth the being inspected by those who
are interested in the progress of the Conway." The
report of Mr. Towson, scientific examiner of masters
and mates to the Local Marine Board of Liverpool,
was equally satisfactory.
The CLIA.IRMAN said it was a source of great
gratification to himself to be permitted to occupy
once more that position. He assured them of the
deep interest the Mayor took in the welfare of the
institution. It must be a cause of great satisfaction
that they were once more honoured with the presence
of the Lords of the Admiralty. It was no mere
accident that they were present, but rather the con-
tinued indication of a settled policy on the part of
her Majesty's Government to take an interest in an
institution the merits of which they had so fully
recognised. He might accept their presence as a
recognition of the fact that this institution was doing
a special—he might say a national—work for the
country. (Hear, hear.) Circumstances ha I pre-
vented this gathering being held at the usual time
in June, but be was pleased to see that this delay
had not affected the attendance of the friends of the
institution. Ile then proceeded to address a few
remarks to the boys on the leading principles which
should regulate their conduct, and then called upon
Mr. Corry to deliver the prizes.
Mr. Corer, who was received with much cheer-
ing, said he learnt from the last report of the Com-
mittee of Management that the institution was
designed mainly to train and to complete the educa-
tion of boys intended for officers in the merchant
navy, and it was impossible for any one in
the office which he had the honour to fill not
to take the deepest interest in such an institu-
tion, having such an object in view. In time of peace
under the continuous service system, and with the
large annual entry of boats into it, the navy might
almost be said to be self-sustaining ; but on the
occurrence of any emergency requiring any mate-

rial increase in its existing strength it was to the
mercantile marine that it must look for the neces-
sary supply of seamen, and the quality of these men
must in no small degree depend on the officers who
had commanded them. This institution, therefore,
having for its object the training of the officers of
the mercantile marine, must command the sympa-
thy of those who had the responsibility of the main-
tenance of our naval power. But, independent of
that, there was another connecting link. 'We had
now a Royal Naval Reserve, and the officers of that
reserve held commissions similar to those held by the
officers of the Royal Navy, and, in the event of
war, would be called upon to share the duties and
responsibilities of those officers. No doul t one day
many of those he was addressing would belong to
that Reserve, and it was important that they should
receive such a naval education as he was happy to
learn they did receive o❑ board this ship, qualifying
them to discharge the responsible duties they might
be called upon to undertake in Her Majesty's navy.
But there was yet a more intimate bond of union
between the Conway and the navy. He understood
that this institution was mainly established by the
Mercan tile Marine Servica Association, consisting
of 900 merchant captains trading from the port of
Liverpool, but that those gentlemen, independent of

their own service, provided for the education onboard
the ship of cadets intended for Her Majesty's navy.
That was au additional reason why he and his col-
leagues should take an interest in the ship. He
could not refer to the preparation given
in this ship for appointments in the Royal
Navy without saying that he was sure the cadets
appreciated as was deserved the generous manner
in which Her Majesty had come forward to
encourage them. (Cheers.) It had been usual for
the First Lord of the Admiralty to place a naval
cadetship of the first class at the disposal of the com-
mittee ; but as this year the successful competitor
had reached an age which disqualified him, he (Mr.
Corry) had conferred upon him a cadetship of the
second class, and through the kindness of his friend
and colleague, Sir Sidney nacres, he had been able
to place a second cadetship in the hands of the
committee. (Cheers.) Alluding further to the in-
timate connexion which existed between the navy
and the mercantile marine, he said he was reminded
that no vessel could be better appropriated for this
double training than the Conway; for an early friend
of his own named Fair entered the mercantile ser-
vice, volunteered thence into the Royal Navy, and
after a distinguished career died when in command
of the frigate Conway on the Cape station. (Cheers.)
He would wish to impress upon their minds that
however great might be the knowledge they acquired
OR board this ship, it would be of no avail unless
accompanied by those high moral qualities which
were most requisite in those who were destined to
command. (Hear.) It would bepresumptuous almost
in him to endeavour to instil this lesson into their
minds, for nothing could be more beautiful than the
language in which her Majesty had impressed the same
lesson upon them. He might be permitted to say that
it was one of the most necessary qualities of a sailor
that he should be strictly sober, since a single act of
intemperance, whether when in command of a ship or
of a watch, might lead to the loss of a ship and of
many valuable lives. (Hear.) He washappy to know
that the instruction given to them on board the Con-
way was well calculated to qualify them in all these
moral and intellectual respects. (Cheers.) The
distribution of prizes was then proceeded with.
Her Majesty's gold medal for general proficiency and
the possession of fearless and manly qualities was
awarded to William Cowley, and the Admi-
ralty nomination to a naval cadetship, together with
her Majesty's prize of a binocular glass and £35, to
J. F. Marshall, and the second Admiralty cadetship
to G. F. Daley. Mr. Horsfall, M.P., Mr. Laird,
M.P., and other gentlemen afterwards addressed the
assembly, and votes of thanks were addressed to the
Lords of the Admiralty, the donors of prizes, the
mayor, and the chairman.

The Lords of the Admiralty, accompanied by the
chairman of the Dock Board, and Mr. John Laird,
M.P., Mr. Horsfall, M.P., and the principal guests,
then proceeded on board the Alert, and made an
inspection of H.M.S. Donegal. On returning to the
Alert they steamed past the transports England,
Queen, Kangaroo, and Peruvian, which were taking
in stores for the Abyssinian expedition. The Eng-
land was ready for sea, and it was expected would
sail in the course of the afternoon, accompanied by
the Peruvian, if she could be got ready in time. The
Alert next steamed round by the Liverpool and
Birkenhead docks, giving their lordships an oppor-
tunity of glancing at the splendid dock resources of
Liverpool, and the great facilities for accommodat-
ing the immense trade of the port. The steel and
iron works and the various shipbuilding yards were
also visited ; and at the shipbuilding yard of Messrs.
Laird Brothers, Woodside, Birkenhead, they had
the means of witnessing the progress which has been
made in the construction of the various vessels which
are being constructed there for her Majesty's service.
The great object of interest is her Majesty's twin
screw turret ship Captain, of 4,272 tons, and 900
horse power, now in course of construction, from the
joint design of Captain C. Coles, R.N., C. 8., and
Messrs. Laird Brothers. This ship combines the
acknowledged power of the turret system for carry-
ing guns of the largest size, with the qualities of a
seagoing cruiser of the first class. She will have splen-
did quarters below for officers and men, as well as a
poop and forecastle, and an upper deck for exercise,
or manceuvring of sails. Her dimensions are, length,
3201 t; breadth, 53ft 2 in; tonnage, 4,272 tons; draught
of water abaft, 23ft Gin; forward, 22ft Gin. The
engines are to be two separate pairs of 900 collec-
tive horse power, driving twin screws, and are in-
tended to drive the vessel at the speed of 14 knots
an hour when all complete and ready for sea. Her
armament is to consist of six guns, four of which
are carried in the turrets and two on the upper deck.
The guns in the turrets are to be 600 pounder 25
ton guns, which are the largest ever made up to this
time, and those on the upper deck at the fore and
after end are to be chase guns of large size. The
ship will be wholly protected by armour from sft.
below the water line to the main deck gunwale,
right fore and aft, thus affording complete protec-
tion, not only to the midship part of the ship where
the machinery and turrets are placed, but also to
the quarters for officers and men. The thickness of
the armour plating opposite the turrets will be Bin.,
which is more than on the broadside of any ship
afloat, and on the remainder of the midship portion
of the vessel to be 7in., slightly reduced towards
the ends. These plates rest on a backing of East
India teak, 12in. thick, through which they are
bolted to the skin of the ship formed of two thick-
nesses of three-quarter plates, the whole supported
by massive framework 10in. deep. The main deck
at the level of the upper part of the armour will be
covered with iron liin. and lin. thick, supported
by very strong beams, and again covered with oak
plank Bin. thick. The turrets, of which there are
two, each carrying 2,600 pounder 25 ton guns, pro-
ject through the main deck, and the upper part,
where exposed to shot, is covered with armour plates
10in. thick, the lower part and all the gearing being
protected by the Bin. armour on the sides. The
height of the centre of metal of the guns in the
turrets will be about 1 1 ift. above the water line,
which will enable them to be fought at sea in
very heavy weather, and they will have an arc of
training from the foremost turret of 154 degrees,
and from the after turret of 156 degrees. The ad-
vantages of a poop and forecastle for a sea-going
ship, as adding to the comfort when steaminc, head
to wind, and affording a certain amountt' of
additional accommodation for officers and crew are
obvious, and they have therefore been adopted in
this ship, as by using the guns of the after turret
for extreme training forward and the guns of the
forward turret for extreme training aft they do not
materially interfere with the extreme training of
the guns, which is the only objection to them. This
poop and forecastle are connected by a centre spar
deck, 241 t. wide, which runs over the turrets, giving
free communication from one end of the ship to
the other in the heaviest weather, and the area of
this deck will be sufficient to admit of the whole
working and manceuvring of the ship without going
on the main or turret deck. The hatchways round
the funnel and amidships are carried up of iron,
forming at once a support to the spar deck and a
system of ventilation permarhaitly ,runked up to
the level of the spar deck, at a heig!it of about 20ft.

above the load water-line. The Captain will be
rigged as a ship with masts on Captain Coles' tripod
system, and will have a spread of canvas equal to
that of the best type of broadside ironclad frigate
of her own tonnage. The general construction of
the hull of the ship is similar to that of other large
armour-clad ships building for her Majesty's navy,
and combines all the recent improvements of water-
tight inner-bottom, wind-passages, and other bulk-
heads ; the fore-end especially is made of enormous
strength, and terminates in a massive wrought-iron
stem formed as a rain for running into an enemy's
ship. The engines are to be two separate pairs,
each pair driving a screw propeller, the outer ends
of the propeller shafts being carried on bracket
frames on the same system as adopted by Messrs.
Laird in several other armour-clad vessels built by
them ; the cylinders are 80 inches diameter,
and 3ft. 3iu. stroke, and the indicated power
is to be not less than 5,400-horse power.
The contract for the Captain, which is for the
completion of the ship, turrets, and machinery ready
for sea, with the exception of rigging and sails and
such like stores, were made in February last, and
since that time great progress has been made
with the ship and machinery, as she is now nearly all
in frame, skin-plating fixed and rivetted, the beams
of main and lower decks are also in place, and the
internal arrangements are in progress. The first
cylinder is bored, the trunks fitted, and many other
parts well advanced. The boilers are erected. The
shipwrights have already commenced placing the
teak backing to receive the armour-plates, the first
of these being now fixed on the side of the ship and
the boring and planing the remainder fairly com-
menced. We may state that the first plate of the
keel was lowered into the dock in the last week in
March, and that since that time nearly 1,200 tons of
iron have been worked into the ship, besides a large
quantity being in various stages of preparation on
the premises. The Captain is being built in the
large graving dock in which H.M.S. Agincourt, of
6,600 tons, and the Euphrates, 4,200 tons, were con-
structed, and it is intended to take full advantage
of the shed with which this dock is covered, and of
the great depth of water on the till to keep the vessel
in until she is completely finished, all the armour-
plates fixed, the turrets and machinery all in place
and ready for trial. In addition to the operations in
connection with the Captain we observe throughout
the works considerable activity and show of work.
Among the other vessels in progress are a composite
gunboat for her Majesty's Government, two ironclad
monitors, about 1,600 tons and 140 horse power,
and an ironclad ram of about 1,320 tons and 3bo
horse power. These three last-named vessels are to
be fitted with turrets on Capt. Coles' system, and
will each carry two 300-pounder 12k-ton guns.
In addition to these there are two paddlewheel
river steamers, of about 600 tons, and a small fleet
of 12 iron screws, of about 50ft. length, fitted with
engines of 15 horse power ; the launches have just
been completed, and occupy one of the graving
docks. The total amount of tonnage in course of
construction at present is about 10,000 tons, and
the engines for all these vessels, amounting to about
2,000 horse power, are being made at the Birken-
head Iron Works.

The party were entertained at lunch by Messrs.
Laird, Brothers, before making the inspection of the
works in progress in the yard; and in the evening
they were to attend a banquet given by the Mayor
of Liverpool in honour of their visit at the Town-
hall. During their stay in Liverpool their lordships
are the guests of Mr. John Laird, M.P.