Year: 1879

VICTORIA, b. G., March ~, 1879.


The United States steamer Alaska, which left
San Francisco on the evening OF the 21st inst,
arrived in the Royal Roads here last evening
and anchored this morning off the port of
Esquimault. The passage from San Francisco
was very rough. We were in a gale almost con-
tinually from the hour OF leaving until yester-
day afternoon. High sea and incessant rain
increased the discomfort The ship rolled gen
orally about 33 degrees, but on several occa-
sions the Instruments indicated A degrees


On Tuesday afternoon last were caught i'll
n terrific hurricane from the southeast. Captain
Brown had ordered everything made taut on
and everything else in the shape of fastenings
would now give way. Captain and officers were
all on duty We were in u storm unusually
severe for the Pacific After endeavoring to
keep on course for several hours it became
evident that the ship was making but little
progress. As there had been no observations
taken since Friday, the date of our departure,
the ship was shove to-" and under sufficient
canvas and steam she was kept for eighteen
hours face to the gale. The officers for the most
part were on duty for nearly forty-cight hours,
and were glad of the partial rest afforded while
the steamer was being coaled to-day.


NAVAL CoURTEsIEs.


AS the Alaska neared Esquimault, where the
British naval station is situated the customary
national salute was fired and replied to by the
English. number of large merchant vessels
were anchored in front of Esquimault, being un-
able to reach Victoria, three miles distant, owing
to shallow water ia the inlet which forms the
harbor. The city had pretty appearance when
Lit up by occasional sunshine this morning, the
residence Of the Governor-standing out
in bold relief The weather has been
very severe here this winter, and according
to the statements of traders who have visited
the steamer the business of the port is not good.
Considerable disappointment is expressed ut the
delay in completing the Canadian Pacific Rail
road. The usual visit Of courtesy was paid by
the British officers from the dockyard and naval
hospital during the morning, and, after pleas
ant chat, invitations were extended to the
officers Of the Alaska to visit the Englishmcn
and their cOmmandant at the magnificent look
ing government brick buildings in the city.


PREPARED FOR FIGHTING AT sIrKA.


Very little positive news could be obtained
here concerning affairs in Alaska, but there was
a general feeling that no time should be lost by
Captain Brown in reaching the far Off Territory.
1t was decided that as soon as the coal and pro-
visions were on board this evening the steamer
should leave for Sitka. The Alaska goes prepared
twelve guns she has on board 16O Springfield
brcechloading rifles, 10000 rounds Of
cartridges and Gatling gun, with
full equipments for use on shore. English
officers here, who have received information
from the Osprey, think the presence Of SO large
United States vessel as the Alaska will pre-
vent the Indians from attacking the whites, if
hostilitics shall not have begun before her
arrival. 1t is understood that the Indians can
only muster force of about one thousand at
the most and that many of these bear arms of
the most primitive pattern.