The Express.
London, England, 1863-10-02 00:00:00

THE CHANNEL BLEST IN DUBLIN BAY.

The visit of the Channel Fleet to our bay (ear
Saunders' News Letter), marked as it hes been by eo
many agreeable incidents, and such warm and heartfelt
manifestations of welcome on the part of the citizens of
Dublin, has bad a moat unpleasant termioation. The wea-
ther, that inveterate enemy of all outdoor amusements in
our fickle climate, has once more interposed to mar the en-
joyment of the public, and that, too, on an occasion which
was looked forward to by thousands with the most eager an-
ticipatioas of pleasure. Vast numbers had deferred their
visit to the fleet to the last dig of in presence in our waters,
hoping that the floe weather with which we were favoured
on Tueeday would continue, so as to enable them to inspect
the ships composing the moat powerful squadron that
ham ever been assembled for the protection of the British
Ikeda. Many who had already visited the fleet were
desirous once more to *ramie* these renowned vends, which
mark a new era in the naval architecture of Great Britain,
and a considerable number of ladies and gentlemen expected
to derive no smell amount of grstifieation from the ball and
dejenner on board the Defence, by which the officers of the
fleet intended to repay the festivities that have celebrated
their presemosismoopt us- And theme wereunhappily doomed
to diaappointment, sad by noes was that disappointment more
deeply-felt than by the pliant officers themselves, who were
prevented by the inclemency of the weather from entertain.
log their intended prate, and displaying that hospitality
which British mikes know how to dispense with such cor-
diality and grace. Unfortunately, however, the wind, which
had been hitherto so favourable. veered round on Wadies'.
day morning to south4outh-sest, amompanied, ea the day
advanced, by tomato of rain causing • an
sea in the bay,
and thin rendering it bona:gbh, to visit any of the ships
with comfort, and all idea of the bell out of the
question. As the weather did not break decidedly until
woe, large crowds had already oome down by the early
trains, and by the reseals of the age Packet Com-
pany and the steam top, which bad been so badly lied
profitably employed during the two previous days.
Shortly, after twelve, however, the wind increased so
much, and the rain became so heavy and continuous, that
the peopk who subsequently arrived by train were
unable to carry out their intention of visiting the ships,
and remained congregated in "set mauves in the waiting.
rooms and in the covered passages belreging to the railway
station. The appearance of so !are a number of people thus
aridly disappointed was nob • pewiant spectacle to wit-
ness. It would almost have moved the heart of a oonfirmed
misopein—if so anomalous a creature can he said to poe-
ms" that organ—to behold the crowds of handsome women
and pretty girls arrayed in every variety of the mast elegant
morning &Mk and oarryiog bouquets of theohoicest Bowers,
who were collected in the chilly passages and ante-roorna,
waiting patiently and hoping against hope that the
weather would clear and enable them to eeioy the dame
on board ship. upon which they had so evideitly set their
hearts. Notwithstanding the driving rain and Abel
gusts wind, which grew fiercer and &roar every mil sky
many of the younger ladies appeared quite eriM
to brave the fury of the elements if they
have found means of prolamine, on board the Defame ; bat I
fortunately for them the sea had become so rough that all
intercourse with the fleet was forbidden about half-past I
o'clock, and their courage was not put to the test. Indeed
the weather had now become so threatening that the
admiral signalled to the Beet to get tip steam, and make all
the necessary preparations for putting to sea; and witundso
stand he intimated his intention of starting at once eisold
the wind veer two points more to the mat. The waves,
although running pretty high, caused very little mottos 11
the huge vessels themselves, bat this urgent assaware zees
rendered imperative by the probability that had the whoa been
a little more easterly the ships might have oominencedtodrag
their anchors, sod gradually forge in towards the shore. At
no time was such a contingency actually impredieg ; hut
the admiral, to whom wee entreated the safely of a fleet so
magaificeot and so costly, and the lives of so many gallant
lacers and seamen, might well dread the effects of an
ens wind, combined with the disadvantage' of a cosepara-
Mealy Insecure enehomp, a want of sea room, sod a lee
shore. To nee his own expression, be considered the bay el
Dublin a " misty place" at so late a season of the year fora
fleet to take up itc moorings in. His Exoallency the Lord-Lien-
teaant had intended to hoarier with his presence the ball on ,
board the Defines, and amordingly proceeded byspenial tasks
to Hingetowa, where he arrived at a quarterlies' three '
o'clock. The ides of the ball having been now abandoned
his Excellency determined tom a visit to the admiral, es
board the Meg-ship the Edger, said with this view embarked
in the Princess Alexandra. which lay in readiness st the
Carlisle Pier, having been placedat his disposal by theßallext
Board. Hie Excellency was attended by Captain Oodinies,
in waiting, Captain Willis, Mr. Laseelles, and
Weir Begot, and was accompanied by the Wpm larolles
end the Hon. Mrs. Preston. As soon as the vloseegal party
had embarked) the Prisons Alexaodra reared out of the
harbour with the royal standard dying st the main, end ca
rounding the East Pier received a relate of nineteen pas
from the Ajax. Ores outside the harbour the elegaet
little steam yacht experienced the full effects of the heavy
am, and began to pitch with a violence which must
have thoroughly tested his Excellency's qualities as a
sailor. As she approached the Edgar, the flag-ship
fired a royal wank, which was taken up by the
remaining meek of the fleet. Admiral Danes appeared on
the quarter gallery of his ship, and bowed to the Lord-Lien-
tenant, who returned the complimeet ; but owing to the
rough state of the sea, the Princess Alexandra was unable
to approach sufficiently near the Edgar to permit his Emil-
leocy to get on bond. The steamer, therefore, pat about,
and retained to the pier, the salute being repeated as she
entered the harbour. His Excellency and party disembarked
end proceeded la the Earl of Heath's carnage to the Royal
fit. Gone Yacht Club, mimic" was hospitably entertahued
by the nuelabers, and deems:de tetanal to tows by the
ordinary six °Week twin.
1163 departure of the dash was origrally axed for this
day (Thanday), and should that intention be carried eat the
ships will probably pot to sea at seven a.m., ores soon
afterward' as possible. Perhaps. however, s the storm
has now completely abated, the 'admiral may, in ceendeea-
Sian of the great diaappistaneet experienced by the pull*
postponehis departure far one day more, to afford three
who hive not yet seen the veasels so opportunity of dotes
so, and suable the mualcdadred entertainment on board the
Defame to take place.