New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-11-18
MARINE AFFAIRS.


NAVAL.
AT last adyiccs from the Mediterranean Squadron
the United States flagship Wabash had not received
the orders to return to the United states which were
dispatched from the Navy Department about three
weeks since. She is however by this time, preparing
to sail for NewYork, and viii probably arrive here
about Christmas. The Wabash has been two years in
commission, the present being her second regular
cruise. She is a splendid steam frigste, 1920 tuns
burden carries II large guns and 400 officers and men,
She was built at Philadelphia in 1885, and rates with
the Niagara and Roanoke. II will take about 500 900
70 pay oil the ships company Of the Wabash Inc
Vincennes 20-gun sloop-ofwar Of 700 tuns, viii also
be due in the United States in few weeks, from the
Coast Of Africa The steam frigate Merimac, late
flag ship Of the Pacific Squadron, on her way home,
and, with the old sOopofwar Vandala, recently de-
tached from the feet, expected to reach one OF
our naval stations early the year. The slooP-
ofwar Germantown, and the steam frigae Mississippi,
both of the East India Squadron, have served nearly
their specified term in commission the cambridge and
Perry of the Brazil Squadron, have done likewise,
and the Macedonian of the Mediterranean fleet, and
the Powbaian in China, win before SIX months, be
looking out for AFOREMENTIONED orders. Nearly all
these vessels will be replaced by new steamers or
sailing ships of marked efficiency
loss oF THE BRIG KING BIRD.
The schr. Frances Arthemas, Eaton, arrived at Key
for New Orleans She picked up, off Cape Florida,
the officers and crew of the brig King Bird Collins,
master, from New-York for Aspnwall The brig found
cred in the late gale.
APPOINTED, TO THE REVENUE SERVICE.
VIM. Ledyard Ellsworth, United States Consul at
Cyprus, has been appointed by the President lieu
tenant in the Revenue service.
BURNING or TIE SHIP MASTIFF.
From The San Fr0Heisco Herald, oct. p.
BY the arrival Of the British ship Achilles, which
arrived at Honoluu Sept q have news of the
burning of the chpper-shp Mastih, the route from
San Francisco to Hong Kong, via Honolulu. The fol-
lowing of the disaster is furnished by Mr. o.
G.. Harris, one of the passengers rescued by the
Achilles:
The ship Mastiff, under command of VIM. o. John
son, esq., sailed from San Francisco, Saturday, Sept.
TO- having board 20 men, officers and crew; passen-
gers, Mrs. johnson captains wiel, Richard II. Dana
esq. of Boston; George Clifford, esq, and Mr. Shon-
bron of San Francisco; Charles G. Harris and j. ii.
C. Richmond, esqs., of this Cy and l15 Chinese be-
tween decks, The ship was bound to Hong Kong, but
the captain bad agreed to stop at this port TO land
Messls. Dana, Harrison and Richmond. On Tuesday,
the 18th, we raised ship right ahead, which after
ward proved TO be the British ship Achilles, and con-
timed in company with her until Thursday at p. m
wind being very light
Al this time the Achilles, being on lee quarter,
and about five miles distant, the second mate, Mr..
Johnson deserted smoke coming out of the ventiatOr
which were situated in the after part of the ship and
Immediately communicated the fact to the captain and
passengers, who on the quarter deck. The hose
was quickly attached to the force pump situated near
the wheel and efforts made to get a stream of water
10 the fire. but the between-decks being open and
filed with hunks, bedding, baggage, and other light
materials. incidental TO many passengers, the hre
spread with the utmost rapidy that in fifteen min
utes II impossible to see anything between decks
aft the main hatch.
The Captain, with admirable presence of mind, him
lie ard fbp
contained sufficient powder TO have blown all sky
high and was in room directly over the fire. A sig
nal Of distress then set four boats cleared away
and launched without accident. CONSERVATION began
10 manifest itself among the Chinese, and rush was
made for the boats, but they promptly restrained
by the Captain officers and cabin passengers, who,
having anticipated the panic, armed for the pur-
pose. The Captain bad given them to understand that
life would be saved in preference to everything else,
that each should have fair chance Mr.. Bailey the
mattel having stationed himself in the fOre-chans ana
retaining all hs presence OF mind In dreeng inc crew
likewise obeying order implicitly, the Chnamen De-
came, in measure, treasured.
The Captain had taken from the ship, in his boat all
the specie which constituted part OF his cargo,
amounting to about $SO, OOO.
On repairng on board the Achilles, we were
ceiyed by Capt Hart with that cordiaity always man
iested BY British sailor toward those IN distress, and
it would be difficult to determine whether we were
the most grateful that had been delivered from our
peril or those on board the Achilles that they were
able TO receive
The Mastif was iirst-class clipper, of OBS tun
burden, built at Boston in 1856, by Donald Mckay,
ESQ., and fitted mp with all the modern improvements;
cost when built, about 100000 and was insured as
we understand, in ten Boston insurance offices, for
$S0,000.
The claim the part of the captain and crew Of the
Achilles to be allowed salvage money on the specie
saved BIZ that vessel from the burning OF the Masf
came before the Court of Admiralty Sept. 30, Judge
Robertson presiding. Mr. Montgomery appeared in
behalf of the lbeants and Mr. Blair for the respond
ents The arguments concluded and the decision
of the Judge will probably be rendered to-day or
Monday.
One hundred and seventy-four Chinese, being the
passengers rescued from the burning ship Masf
landed at Honolulu September %. The Chinese resi-
dents opened their hearts 10 their distressed country
men, and provided them with food and lodgings. We
understand that those of the strangers who have money
will proceed their journey Hong Kong by the first
convenient opportunity. A considerable number, how
ever, who pennyless, will remain in our commun-
y; and il is probable, they have graduated at the
California Mines they will be smart enough to pick up
decent If not in all cases an honest living here.
SHoPLIFTERs CAUGHT.-lIenry Myers Caroline
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