The Sun.
London, England, 1855-06-18 00:00:00

THE BALTIC FLEET.

DANTZIC, JUNE 15.
The Vulture, 6, Capt. Glasse, arrived in the
„roads at ltio'clock last night, with the mails. She
'left the fleet anchored off Cronstadt, in the same
'position as reported last week.
On the 9th inst. the Merlin and Firefly, hav-
ing on board the French Admiral, all the Cap-
tains, and several of the Commanders in the fleet,
left the anchorage and accompanied by the Dragon
and a French steam-corvette D'Assas, went
up to reconnoitre the fortifications on the north
side of Cronstadt. After passing Tolbouken Light-
house, they had proceeded to within about 2,500
yards of Fort Risbauk, when suddenly two of
those long-talked of and much-dreaded infernal
machines exploded right under the bows of the
Merlin, and a third burst, almost at the same mo-
. merit, under the Firefly. The two steamers, al-
though, of course, severely shaken, were, however,
strange to say, but very slightly damaged by the
)sion.
As the Vulture was lying on the 3d inst. off the
island of Nargen, three Poles, serving in the 12th
Russian Regiment of the Line, deserted, and came
on board ; they were handed over to the command-
ing officer, Captain Warden, of the Ajax, who for-
warded them on to the Commander-in-Chief. On
the following day two civilians deserted to the Ajax,;
and if what they told the officers of that vessel be
true, there aremany others in Revel only watching
fora favourable opportunity to follow their example
in order to avoid tho conscription, of which they
seem to be in great dread.
The Bulldog, on her passage last week from here
to the fleet, with mails and despatches, broke down
near Faro Sound, in consequence of some accident
to' her mmhinery. She succeeded, however, in
reaching Nargen, from which place the Lightning
took on the mails.

There has been a report circulating on 'Change
of late that it is the intention of some of the most
influential and enterprising firms in Dantzic to
establish a regular hne of small steamers, between
this port and London, for the conveyance of passen-
gers and freights, but especially wheat. To this end
arrang .meats have already been.entered into with
an eminent shipbuilder in London for the purchase
of a new and powerful steamer of about 400 tons ;
and it is also contemplated to build two other
steamers of about the same size at Dantzic, to be
employed on the same line.
The timber trade.has been for some time past
and still continues in a very dull and depressed
state, arising in a great measure from the scarcity
of vessels, in consequence of which freights have
risen upwards of 2s. during the 11st three weeks.
The prices,, moreover, demanded by the Polish
merchants, who are just 'beginning to arrive, with
fresh supplies from Poland, are still too high to
encourage purchasers to buy for export.
The corn trade has received a check, owing to
the dull accounts from all parts. Prices have
fallen from 2s. to 4s. frOm the highest point. There
is little or nothing offering for sale, partly on ac-
count of the low stocks, and partly because sellers
prefer holding until better times.
Weather very changeable.
A telegraphic despatch from Kiel, dated 16th
inst., announces the arrival at that port of Admiral
Baynes's squadron, en route to the Baltic.