Ox the 7th of February last took place, on the coast of New Zealand, one of those melancholy but impressive events, happily of rare occurrence, the wreck of a British man-of-war. When we read of the wreck of a merchant-ship, or even, after one of our winter's storms, of the stranding of a score of our crazy coasting-vessels, with, perchance, the loss of fifty of the unfortunate men whose homes they were, we think it sad enough; but we are so accustomed to the "oft-told tale" that the event is accepted almost as a matter of course, and we only wonder how men are found to follow a calling which at the shrine of every gale offers up so many victims.

And even when we occasionally are shocked by the wreck of a sea-going passenger or emigrant ship, and our feelings are harrowed by the account of perhaps hundreds of men and women—ay, and of little children—going down together to a watery grave, we bring ourselves presently to conclude, however much we lament the fact, that as such accidents always have occurred from time to time, so they always will occur, and that they must be accepted as inseparable from the navigation of the sea. Then as to the vessels themselves, we remember that they are almost invariably insured, and that the loss will be scarcely felt amongst the number of the underwriters on whom it will fall.

But with what different feelings do we hear that a " man-of-war "—a splendid frigate, and the larger portion of her officers and crew, have thus come to an untimely end! The loss we feel to be a national one ; •and relying, as we habitually do, on the perfection of the whole machine, and the skilfulness of its management, it is altogether unexpected, and so much the more affects us.

In the present instance, none of the elements of safety appear to have been wanting : the ship herself was one of our latest and most beautiful specimens of naval architecture, and one of the fleetest ships in the royal navy. Although only termed a corvette, her tonnage was equal to that of many of our line-of-battle ships of thirty years ago. She was well officered and well manned; and her commander, Commodore BURNETT, was one of the, best officers in the service. That she was in a state of high discipline and in every respect a credit to the country, needs no further evidence than the noble manner in which the brave fellows, one and all, appear to have borne themselves through this their last earthly trial and then met their fate.

Indeed, what grander—we had almost said what sublimer—scene can be well conceived than is here presented to our mental gaze, as we picture to ourselves the noble ship, one of the finest works of man, heaving, and surging, and groaning, as in her last agony, before the ever-advancing waves.

Her brave commander, aided by his officers, cool and collected to the last, giving such orders as seemed, in the hopelessness of their case, to admit of execution. The disciplined band of heroic men, quailing not at the fate before them, but only eager to perform the last act of duty, and many of them perishing in its performance; the noble efforts of some to save the lives of others: and finally, as the masts with their clinging crowds of human beings fell into the yawning sea, the last and parting cheers which testified to the unbroken spirit and the manful resignation of those who gave them.

As we feel how nobly such a crew would have maintained their country's honour against a foreign foe, we comprehend that it is no ordinary loss which that country has sustained.

The Orpheus was a screw corvette of 1,700 tons burden, and 400 horse-power engine, mounting 21 heavy guns, and having a complement of 260 officers and men. She sailed from England in the spring of 1862 on her first voyage, she having been only launched in the previous year. She proceeded to the Australian station, and on the 30th January, 1863, sailed from Sydney for New Zealand by order of the Admiralty, arriving off the harbour of " Manukau," near Auckland, on the 7th of February. The harbour, it appears, was approached by the Orpheus with a fair wind and in fine weather, but aformidable " bar " stretches across its entrance, on which there is always a heavy surf, so that it is the custom even in the largest vessels, when entering the harbour, to batten down the hatches and lash the helmsmen at their posts in case of a sea breaking over the ship. The bar is also said to have shifted its position threequarters of a mile since the Admiralty charts of the coast were published. However, all men of war on the station had been advised of this change in the position of the bar, and the signal " take the bar" was up at the pilot station. All the usual precautions were also taken, and the commodore is said to have been on the " bridge," chart in hand, at the moment when the vessel struck ; the cause of her being out of the proper course is therefore as yet a mystery. The following official letter from Lieutenant CHARLES HILL, the second lieutenant and senior surviving officer, to Captain JENKINS of H.M.S. Miranda, will best describe the details of this sad calamity, by which the country has lost a noble ship and 181 officers and seamen. We also add a letter from Sir GEORGE GREY, Governor of New Zealand, reporting the wreck to the DUKE OF NEWCASTLE, which is in the highest degree complimentary to both the survivors and to those who have perished. These letters will best describe the circumstances of this sad disaster. Before, however, we invite their perusal, we desire to observe that we trust our naval authorities will seriously consider whether every man-of-war should not be provided with some special appliances for the preservation of life in the event of accident. Happily, as we commenced with stating, the wreck of an English man-of war is an event of very rare occurrence; still, should not that eventuality be provided against ? We think that every manof- war should be provided with a good and properly-furnished life-boat, and a set of efficient life-belts for her crew. In the event of wreck, such a boat might be invaluable, as if filled by a sea she would not sink, and, even if upset, she could be righted again by her crew in the water; and if stove in, she would not, like an ordinary boat, be thereby disabled.

It will be readily conceived, that in many cases of shipwreck the safety of a whole ship's company might depend on the possession of such a boat.

But independently of service on such rare occasions, there is the more frequent one of men falling overboard during gales of wind, when an ordinary ship's boat cannot be lowered into the water to their aid without serious risk of many other lives in attempting their rescue. Many a brave fellow has perished by falling from a yardarm from the impossibility of lowering a common boat to rescue him. This need not be, as a good life-boat could, with but slight risk, be lowered into any sea.

Again, how often, especially in time of war, might it not be important to communicate with the shore when the bar of a river or harbour, or a coast surf, must be crossed to do so. To communicate with the local authorities, to give information or obtain it, to land or receive despatches, to reconnoitre, or for other purposes, it might be important to go through a surf or broken sea, when no ordinary open boat could do so without serious risk of swamping or upsetting.

Even if the number of officers and men who have been drowned by the upsetting of men-of-war's boats between the " Sound " and harbour at Plymouth during the past fifty years were to be added together, it would disclose a fearful catalogue.

The Admiralty have, we believe, recently decided to supply all men-of-war stationed on the west coast of Africa with life-boats.

We hope, ere long, to see every man-ofwar afloat provided with them and with life-belts for the officers and men who shall be called on to perform service in them.

If the terrible loss on which we are now writing should lead to such a result, we shall consider that some good will have arisen from it.

H.M.S. Miranda, Auckland, New Zealand, Feb. 8, 1863.

SIR—In obedience to your directions I have the honour to report, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that her Majesty's ship Orpheus sailed from Sydney on 31st January, After a fine passage to the coast of New Zealand, we sighted land on the morning of the 7th inst.

It was my forenoon watch, at about eight miles from the Bar of the Manukau. Steam was got up in two boilers; we had been condensing. The ship proceeded at 12-30 under all plain sail, with starboard fore-topmast studding sail set, towards the Manukau; steering east till one o'clock, then N.N.E., being the courses laid down—so the master told me—in Captain DRURY'S Sailing Directions, keeping the Ninepin on with the end of Paratutai. The hands were on deck, the ropes manned for shortening sail; the commodore, commander, and master on the bridge; leadsmen in both chains; spare tiller shipped, with relieving tackles hooked, and six men stationed; gratings and hatchway covers were placed ready for battening down.

The wind S.W. to S.S.W., force 5 to 6, with occasional slight squalls; high water at 12-20. As we approached the bar there was nothing more to see, in the shape of rollers or sea on, than I had been led to expect. The signal from the pilot station had been flying since 11-30 A.M , "Take the bar;" the commodore and master were very attentive with the chart on the bridge, and very particular in the steerage of the ship, and in their orders to the engine-room to keep the steam at command. The signal officer and signal man on the look out. At about 1-30 she touched slightly in the after part, when the commodore gave the order, " Give her all the steam you can." At about 1-40 the ship struck forward; order given, "Astern full speed;" but the engines or screw never moved. At the same time the commodore ordered "tfands shorten sail." The ship broachedto.

with her head to the northward, lurching heavily to port; the rollers setting in from the westward, which immediately made a clean sweep of the upper deck, taking away port-quarter boats (second cutter and jolly-boat), netting and bulwark.

Sail was shortened as far as possible; the men, not being able to keep the deck, immediately the ship took the ground the hatchways were battened down, which, however, proved perfectly useless, as the fastenings were thrown up by the bumping of the ship.

The commodore then ordered the port guns to be thrown overboard (we succeeded in lightening the ship of four guns) and the starboard cutter to be manned and lowered, the paymaster and secretary to place in her his private signals, the public records, and the ship's books; but, from the heavy lurching of the ship, the men were unable to pass all the books they wanted; some were lost overboard.

Mr. Fielding had orders to land what he had got and return. After great difficulty the cutter got clear of the ship. She was reported to be swamped two or three times. When seen on one occasion, five hands were observed to be missing.

It was about this time a steamer was seen coming out of the Heads. The commodore next ordered the pipe, " Hand out boats," yards and stays having previously been triced up. The pinnace was the first boat out. As I was returning from the maintop, Commander Burton ordered me into the pinnace to go to the assistance of the cutter; the commodore then came to the starboard gangway, and on my telling him that I had seen the cutter all right when on the main-yard, he ordered me to take Mr. AMPHLETT, paymaster, who was well acquainted with the place, on shore, for the purpose of getting assistance. Mr. AMPHLETT was then and there told to jump into the boat; this was at 2-30. "We shov.ed off, and with great difficulty, from the strong ebb, cleared the ship. As we proceeded I observed the smoke of a steamer to the southward, going seaward. After a two hours' pull against a heavy rolling sea, we neared the Ninepin, when I spoke Mr. WING in the pilot-boat. We learnt from him that the steamer in sight (now seen coming up the South Channel) was the Wonga Wonga, returning to the Heads; that he had no boat to send to the Harrier to report our distress; that there was a life-boat hauled up on shore, but no hands or means to get her afloat; it would take twelve men a considerable time. The cutter now came up with us; Mr.

Wise and his Maories came into the pinnace; while Mr. AMPHLETT, two sick men, and two boys and two others started off in the whaler of the Harrier.

We pushed on to the steamer, now between the Heads, waving, signalising, and making every effort to gain her attention; after some delay she turned round and closed us, taking pinnace and cutter in tow, proceeding to the wreck, which we reached at 6 P.M. I found her very much lying over to port, the masts all standing, the crew in rigging above the tops, the sea at times sweeping as high as the futtock rigging; the sails had been cut away from the yards, it being impossible to furl them. Taking, in addition to the pilot-boat's crew, four young Maories, into the pinnace, being to windward of the wreck, we dropped down to about 30 or 40 yards on her starboard bow, hailed the men on the bowsprit and jib-boom to jump off and swim for it. 1 picked up seven or eight; having drifted to leeward, the steamer came and towed me to windward. I dropped down a second time with the cutter in company. This time three or four more men were taken in in the pinnace, and the boatswain and four or five in the cutter. It was now about seven o'clock; the flood tide had made, the rollers soon became very high and dangerous on the change; the jib-boom broke off short by the cap; it was quite impossible, with safety to the boats, to remain any longer by the wreck. As I was going back I shouted to the wreck to moke a final attempt, but none would venture.

The steamer picked up boats and anchored close to the north side of the South Spit; distant from wreck about three-quarters of a mile. This was at eight o'clock. At 8-30 the masts went. Boats returned to the wreck. The Wonga Wonga kept burning blue lights, blowing her steam-whistle, and ringing her bell. The pinnace picked up six or eight, and returned to the steamer with one or two in the last stage of exhaustion. On again nearing the wreck, I found the ship completely broken up. It was a beautiful clear moonlight night, and masses of the wreck kept passing in with the flood, clinging to which Lieutenant YONGE and six or eight men were saved. The cutter got so far to leeward that she made for the land, the pinnace returning to the steamer. We remained on deck the whole night, keeping a sharp look-out. At daylight nothing could be seen of the ill-fated Orpheus but the stump of one mast and a few ribs.

From the commencement and during the whole proceedings, nothing could exceed the coolness and decision of Commodore BURNETT, C.B., the commander, and the officers, all in their stations, sentries on the spirit-room and store-rooms; whilst the good feeling and steadiness of the men was beyond all praise, remaining at their posts until ordered by the commodore to mount the rigging.

Many were washed overboard in obeying orders.

I must not forget to mention the gallant conduct of the Maori crew; they were first and foremost in saving lives. On going ashore in the cutter, Mr. HUNT and Mr. BARKLY (midshipmen) were picked up, one Maori taking Mr. BARKLY on his back and carrying him along the beach to his hut.

They afterwards gave them food, and put them in their own beds for the night.

WILLIAM JOHNSON (captain of mizen-top) three times jumped out of the pinnace with a rope to the rescue, and was the means of saving three drowning men.

On board the Wanga Wonga, which officers and men reached cold and naked, the greatest kindness and hospitality were shown and continued by all on board, until we were transferred to the Avon, where I had reported myself to you,—I have the honour to be, Sir, &c., (Signed) CHARMS HILL, Lieutenant II.M.S. Orpheus.

His Excellency Sir GEORGE GREY, K.C.B., Governor of New Zealand, has addressed the following despatch on the loss of the Orpheus to the DUKE OF NEWCASTLE, K.G., HER MAJESTY'S Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies.

"Government-House, Auckland, Feb. 9, 1863.

" MY LORD DUKE,—I have the honour to report to your Grace the total loss of her Majesty's ship Orpheus on the bar of the harbour of Manukau, on the west coast of the North Island, nearly opposite to the harbour of Auckland, which is on the east coast.

" 2. Eight officers and 61 men have been saved from the wreck. Twenty-three officers and 158 men, it is believed, have perished, as the vessel has entirely gone to pieces, and nothing has been seen of them. The names of the missing officers are also given in the list transmitted herewith.

" 3. It is positively known that many of these officers and men have perished, as they were killed in the presence of the survivors by spars and ropes.

" 4. The ship, as far as I can collect, was rather to the southward of the port, and was, at about half-past one o'clock in the day, with beautiful weather and a fair wind, making the harbour under steam and sail, going about 12 knots. Running thus from the southward, she was intending to make the passage across the bar as laid down in the chart of 1853. Since that time the bar has shifted about three-quarters of a mile to the northward.

She was thus rather more than that distance too far to the southward, and touched first on a small shoal off the middle hanks, and in a few minutes ran directly on to them, where there is always a very heavy sea, and where her position (about four miles out at sea) was hopeless.

" 5. At between 4 and 5 o'clock a small coasting steamer, the Wonga Wonga, which was going out of the harbour, seeing her peril, went to her assistance, but, from the heavy sea and breakers, was unable to get very near her; but the boats of the Orpheus, and those of the men who were savedunder the shelter of the steamer, managed from time to time to pick up others. They were aided in the most gallant and determined manner by three Maories from the pilot-station, who steered the boats.

"6. The conduct of Commodore BURNETT, his officers, and men, was perfectly heroic. I have never heard instances of greater courage, carelessness of self, and efforts to save the ship and others than have been detailed to me. At about 9 at night the mainmast went overboard; the other two masts went in less than 20 minutes afterwards.

Those of the crew (and they were a great number) who had not yet been washed overboard or killed by spars and ropes were on the masts and rigging, and the poor fellows, as these went, gave three parting cheers and then perished. I am told that not a murmur or cry was heard from the wounded and dying, and yet the manner of some of their deaths was terrible. Altogether it is one of the most affecting events that I have ever heard of, and yet one that excites admiration from the courage, self-devotion, and energetic resignation both of the many who perished and the few who were saved. I have, &c., "G. GREY."