THE Russian cruiser Africa, which arrived in h&rboar yesterday afternoon, and the arrival of which was notified in our last evening's issue, i? one of the class of vessels known as embers or steam corvettes —American built, barque rigged, with engines} of 1,400] horse power indicated, and a crew of about 300 men. The names of the vessels comprising the Pacific squadron are—the Africa, flagship, Capt aleiieff; Asia, Captain Aimoff ; Plastoun, Captain Polianiky; Vestninck, Cap tain Avelac ; Strelsk, Captain Delhron. All except two, the Africa and Asia, were bmlt at Cronstadt and St. Peters burg. Two others were built at Philadel phia, and are magnificent specimens of American shipbuilding. All are heavily armed, and capable of steaming 15 knots an hour. The squadron attracted great atten tion at San Jtrancitc», where it stayed five weeks. The Strelsk and Asia were de tailed for special duties, and consequently left San Francisco before the others, and will arrive in Melbourne from Vladi vostok direct. The remainder left San Francisco on the 10th October, and proceeded to Honolulu and remained six days. The next place of call was the Marquesas, where they were to meet the Tahiti fleet; thence they were to pro ceed to Auckland and Hobait, and finally to visit Australia.
