(8) The Acting Minister Superintendent of the Foochow Arsenal reports the launch of a new vessel from the docks under his charge. Its keel was laid in December, 1885, and it was reported as completely Ghished in July Inst. On the Oth of August it was launched and named the Kuang Chia. Tt is 229%. long (English measurement), 83ft. Tin. broad, 25ft. Sin. deep. Its draught is 11ft, forward, 12f6. Sin. amidships, and 19it, Sin, aft. Its gross tonnage is 1,300 tons. Its engines, 1,600 horse-power. its arma-iment, which hasbeen bought from the Krupp factory in France, has arrived at the arsonal, but has not yet been put on board. Its estimated speed is 14 knots or 46 Ni per hour, In three months' time everything will be ready for the trial of the vessel, and the result will he reported without delay. The arsenal is now engaged in building eight ships for the Viceroy at Canton and as he is in a great hurry to in them, and they cannot be completed as rapidly as he desires, this vessel will be lent to him temporarily, as soon as she is fit to go to sea. This arrangement has been already reported and has received His Majesty's sanction.—Approved by Rescript.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.