The Express.
London, England, 1853-03-30 00:00:00

NAVAL.

ADMIRALTY, MARCH 28. - AP]

Seennel-firasewt J. W. Bead to l'rince Regod.
PORTSIIIOIITE, MARCH 29.—The Duke of Welling-
ton, 131, screw steamship, Captain H. B. Martin, C. 8., was
taken out of dock last night. The Blenheim, 60, screw
steam gusrdship, Captain Henderson, C. 8., was brought
down the harbour to-day to her moorings, off the dockyard.
DETONPORT, MARCH 29.—The Prince Regent,
90, Captain Hutton, the Sidon, 22, Captain Goldsmith,
and the Leopard, 12, Captain Gifford, arrived yesterday
from Portsmouth. The Rhadamanthus, Master-Com-
mander Belem, arrived on Sunday from Portsmouth.
COURT MARTIAL AT PORTSMOUTH.
A court-martial was held on board the Victory,
lag-ship, yesterday, tl try Robert King, an able seaman,
on the charge—" That he did, being an able seaman on
board 11.M.5. Excellent, at Portsmouth, on the 23rd of De-
cember, 1861. desert from the said ship." The court consisted
of near Admiral Fanshawe, C.B. (president), Captains Sir
Thomas Maitland, of the Agamemnon; E. J Scott, Nep-
tune; Henderson, Blenheim; Shepherd, Victory ; F.
Scott, Odin; Crispin, Victoria and Albert; Ileatheote,
Highfiyer ; and Mr. 0. L. Greetham, Deputy-Judge Ad-
vocate of the Fleet. Captain Chad', of the Excellent,
prosecuted.
It was proved by three witnesses that prisoner bad leave
of absence for 24 hours from the Excellent, on the 23rd of
December, 18,51, and that he did not return. When
he left be was 19s. 34d. indebted to the crown. Oa
the 17th instant be was brought on board the above ship as
a deserter by William Cutler, quartermaster on board the
Crocodile, off the Tower of London. This witness, on the
16th inst., found the prisoner in conversation with a man
who was endeavouring to induce him to join her Majesty's
ship London. This, however, he did not wish to do, but
was inquiring for the Thames, Southampton steamer. Wit-
ness was authorised to detain persons whom he might sus-
pect to be deserters or stragglers from her Majesty's ships.
After some hesitation prisoner told him he had belonged to
her Majesty's ships Agincourt and Inconstant, but he could
not produce his register ticket or certificate. On the advice
of the person who was with him, prisoner ultimately con-
fessed he had deserted from the Excellent in December,
1851. He could not, however, be traced in the Gazeits,
neither could his register ticket be found at the register-
Mace. Witness, in pursuance of orders, brought him down
to Portsmouth.
In

witnen said he had received orders
to rig himself out in plain clothes, and stop any one on
shore he might suspect to be a deserter. lie did so, and
any person ho suspected he asked him what ship he be-
longed to. If he named a ship, he asked him for hts liberty
ticket ; and if this was not produced, he detained him as a
deserter.

Captain Shepherd, who commanded the Inconstant, said
prisoner, from the certificate produced, given to him from
that ship, must haws been a very good man, as every man's
character was inquired into on the passage home by com-
petent officers.
Prisoner made no defence, saying he bad not deserted
from any dislike to the service. He threw himself on the
mercy of the court.
The court h.,ving considered its decision, found the pri-
soner Guilty, but in consideration of the good character
given him by Captain Shepherd, for his conduct whilst be-
longing to H.M.S. Inconstant, they adjudged him to be
imprisoned in Winchester Gaol for 12 months only.