The Express.
London, England, 1861-09-04 00:00:00

THE CHANNEL FLEET IN THE CLYDE.

Yesterday forenoon we had an important woe*
lion to the ships of war already anchored at the Tail of the
Barak, ia the arrival of four additional ships—viz., the Fal.
pr, Hero, Trafalgar, and Aboukir. It appears that the
Aboukir, having got ashore; somewhere in the north, had
sustained some trifling damage to her copper, and had gone
to Portsmouth to have this made good. She afterwards
rejoined the other three ships at Holyhead, and they all
pr seeded to the Clyde. We have thus both divisions of
the squadron anchored off the port—namely, Rear.
Admiral Smart's starboard division, the Revenge (flag.
ship), Conqueror, Aboukir, and Centurion ; and Rear.
Admiral Erskine 's port division, the Edgar (flag-ship),
Donegal, Hero, and Trafalgar—which, with the ship Hogue,
make in all nine large ships of war. It was very gratifying
to see five of these immense vessels lying at anchor ; and
many thousands travelled long distances to enjoy the sight ;
but now having nearly double that number, the scene is one
which may not be witnessed here again in a lifetime ; and
those who mune to town yesterday to visit these shins must
have been agreeably surprised at finding the sudden Increase
in the number of vessels, and consequent increase in interest.
Yesterday crowds continued to visit the ships equal in number
to Saturday, and the weather was better than on Saturday.
The ball tonight in honour of the pilau& officers of the
Channel Fleet will be, perhaps, the grandest thing of the
kind that has taken place in Scotland fur many a day. Ever
since it was determined on, the preparations have been gone
on with with the greatest spirit. A largo and influential
committee was appointed, and various subdivisions of it
made, whereby each separate department of the arrange.
meets might be efficiently and with certainty attended to.
The invitations to the ladies have been iu almost every
instance accepted, and applications from aimest
every town in the West have been made for
tickets for parties intending to be present.
Owing to the additional vessels which arrived yester.
day, the number of officers likely to be present will not be
leas than from 140 to 150 ; and as all will be in full uni.
form, what with the gaily dressed youth anti betuty of our
town, and the glittering uniforms of the officers, our Town.
hall, decorated as it will be, and adapted for a ball room,
will, when the dancing is in progress, present one of the
meet gorgeous sights that could possibly be imagined. The
resolution of the Town Council and the gentlemen
of Greenock to have a ball here in honour of the
officers of the fleet, instead of • dinner, has met with
universal approval ; and as • ball admits of so many
more persons taking pargin it than a dinner, it will contrast
favourably in this repect with the aldennenic exclusiviani
of the dinner oe Friday last at Glasgow, where apparently
only a select few were admitted to an entertainment which,
from its nature, ought to have been of a general and popular
character. We hear that the officers of the fleet are quite
delighted at the enthusiastic reception which the Greenock
people have given and are yet prepared to give them. But
this reception is just what was to be expected from the
people of Greouock, who are so well known to be peculiarly
attached to the bine jackets.—North British Mail.