The following is a description of two of the gunboats sent out for service in the Suez Oanal: —The twin-screw gunboats Don and Deo will leave shortly for Alexandria, and are ex pected to be accompanied to the Suez Canal by some ships belonging to the Mediterranean fleet. These gunboats were specially con structed for river service, having a very shallow draught, and with their 18 ton guns aud Gatling weapons are eminently adapted for the duty of protecting and maintaining the free passage of the Suez Oanal. They have coaled and pro visioned to their fullest extent, and are ex pected to be in commitsion at least three years.
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atd.W ZEALAND MAIL.
September 2, 1882.
