The Sun.
London, England, 1864-12-07 00:00:00

Naval and Military Intelligence.

VALETTA, D.C. I.—The following are the naval
movements of the week ;—Tier Majesty's ship Cos-

sack, 22, Capt. W. R. Roliand, returned yesterday
from her long cruise on the coast of Syria and other

parts of the Levant. She left Beyront on the 17th
of November, and experienced violent squalls and
calm=. 't he Phcehe, 35, C3pt. T. D. A. Fortescue,
and the C'oantieleer, 17, Com. E. T. Risk, both
arrived at Beyront on the 15th of November from
Malta, the Surpriso, 4, Corn. G. Tryon, arrived at
Beyront on the 12th of November from Jbffi, and
left on the 18th for Patras. She was spoken by
. . .

the Cossack. Her Majesty's gunvesßel Cockatrice,
2, Lieut.-Com. R. M. Gitisoo, arrived at Malta on
the 20. h of Navi-Anber from Sala Bay. Another

Auitrian man-of-War, the Radetsky, 31, CApt. A.

Berry, arrived on the 30‘h from Algiers.
Yesterday the Lords of the Admiralty paid an
official visit to the dockyard and naval ebtablish-

menta at Ciaatham, arriving from Whitehall by the

morning express. train. The members of the Board

present comprised the Duke of Somerset, K.G.,
senior Lord, Vice Admiral the Hon. Sir F. W.

Grey, K.C.8., Rear Admiral C. Eden, C. 8., Rear
Admiral R. S. Robinson, Controller of the Navy,

and Captain R. Hall, private secretary to the First
Lord. The visit was made in connection with the

Estimates which are now in course of preparation
for the ensuing year, and for this purpose it was

found requisite to inspect the works now in actual
progress at Chatham Dockyard as well as the works
contemplated, in order to decide on those which

will be carried out, together with the probable sum

necessary to be taken for the purpose in the Esti-
mates. After transacting some official business
with the heads of departments, their Lord-
ships, accompanied by Capt. Stewart, C. 8., the

superintendent of the establishment, and the
leading officials, made a tonr of the ships

building department of the dockyard. They

directed their exclusive attention to the ironclad

frigates Bellerophon, 14, 1,000-horse power, and
Lord Warden, 20, 1,000-horse power, which are the
only two vessels now in hand, the work on the
whole of the other ships having been suspended for
some years past. The Bellerophon is about one-
fourth completed, but, from the rate of progress
already made and the number of additional hands
placed on her, there is little doubt that she will be
finished and afloat before the close of the approach-
ing year. Their lordships were conducted over the
principal parts of the vessel by Mr Thornton, the
master shipbuilder, and they afterwards proceeded
to the other end of the dockyard to the shed under
which the Lord Warden ironclad ship is under con-

struction. The progress made i❑ this vessel sppears
to be more marked than in the Bellzrophon, but both
ara expeoted to be completed about the same time.
Upwards of 2,000 hands are employed on the two

vessels, and provision will be mule in the Estimates
for that number to be continued until both frigates
are out of hand. After completing their inspection
of the shipbuilding department their lordships next
gave their attention to the department of works,
which, in consequence of the magnitude of the im-
provements for the enlargement and extension of
the dockyard, absorbs a considerable portion of the
sum yearly voted for the Chatham naval establish•

mints, The principal of the works now in progress
are those in connection with the formation of the
new docks, basins, factories, workshops, and other
buildings at the eastern extremity of the present
dockyard, on the site of St. Mary's Island, the
whole extent of which, as well as some of the ad-

jicent land acquired by the Crown, has been ab
sorbed for that purpose, the entire new works ex.
tending over an area of 300 acres, The present

dockyard covers an aces of only 100 acres, so that the
additional space will enlarge Chatham aickyard to
four times its present size. Accompanied by Mr Berrn

nays, principal civil ergineer at Chatham, under
whose direction the extension works are being
carried out, their Lordships traversed the greater
portioa of the island, and spent some time in the
inspection of the various portions of the works on
which the hands engaged on the undertaking are
employed. Up to the present time the work has
been carried on by convicts, of whom there are from
800 to 1,000 daily employed on St. Mary's Island.
Already the first of the three basins, which will
cover, in the aggregate, a space of nearly 100 acres,
or more than double the whole of the existing
basin accommodation in England, is getting wall
forward, although there is a considerable amount of
excavation to be made before the required depth is
reached. The principal factory is also under cons
etruction, and here again the work is getting well
forward. The building will be 1,000 feet in length
by 500 in breadth, while the whole of the new
factory buildings and workshops will cover an
area of about 12 acres. The original estimate of
the entire works was £902,000, but only a compa-
ratively insignificant portion of that amount has
already been voted, and at the present rate of pro.
geese few persons of the present generation will see
the extension works at Chatham completed accord-
ing to the original design. Returning to the docks
yard by the eastern entrance, the visitors proceeded
to the rope-making establishment, where some ex•
tensive alterations are in progress consequent on the
introduction of the new spinning and other machi-
nery for dispensing with hand labour in the manu-
facture of the largest description of cables. A por-
tion of the machinery has already been received at
the dockyard,but several of the largest machines aro
now in course of manufacture by Messrs. Fairbairn,
of Leeds. It still undecided whether to employ
young women or lads to take charge of the new
machinery, but as a certain delicacy of touch as
well as nimble fingers are required, it is probable
the Admiralty will break through the rule hitherto
observed, and introduce girls for employment in
Chatham dockyard. On completing their inspec-
tion of the ropery their Lordships adjourned to the
official residence of Capt. Stewart in the dockyard,
where they partook of luncheon, and shortly after-
wards left for the Admiralty.
The iron screw steamship Defence, 16, Captain
Augustus Philliroore, was removed yesterday
morning from Keyham steam yard and placed at
her moorings in Hamoaze.
The iron screw steamship Achilles, 20, is pre-
vented from leaving Plymouth Sound for a cruise
in the Channel in consequence of Capt. Vansittart's
presence as a member of the Court Martial on Corn.
Broad now sitting on board the Royal Adelaide, in
Hamoaze, and which is not likely to be concluded
before to-day.
The iron eased screw steamship Research, 4,
Capt. Arthur Wilmshurst, was removed yesterday
from Keyham steam yard into Hanacnize.
The paddlewheel steamer 13arracouta, 6, 300
horse power, recently paid off into the Chatham
steam reserve, is again to be brought forward for
sea, and refitted for immediate commission.
An order has been received at the headquarters
of the Royal Engineer establishment directing de-
tachments of trained sappers, who have completed
their course of engineering instruction, to proceed
from Chatham to augment the Ist company of
Royal Engineers at Davenport, the 7th at Dover,
the 3d at Portsmouth, the 20th at the Curragh
Camp, the 17th and 26th companies at Weymouth,
and the 29th at Aldershot. The whole of the men
selected have gone through their curriculum of in-
struction on the field works and in the various
schools, and will leave the garrison for their respect
tine routes at the latter end of the week.
Y, sterday a detachment of 96 non-commissioned
officers and men.of the Chatham Division of Royal
Marines Light infantry, who have completed their
course of instruction at the Government rifle range.
Milton, rejoined headquarters, under the command
of Capt. J. Taylor.
The screw corvette Scout, 21, 400-horse power,
which has been fitted for the first division of the
Chatham steam reserve, has received on beard her
armament from the Ordnanceswharf, Chatham, con•
sitting of 16 of the 8-inch 60cwt. smooth bore cast-
iron guns, four 40 pounder Arrnstronge, and one
110 pounder naval Armstrong, besides lighter guns
for field and boat service.
The following appointments have been made at
the Admiralty ;--Commander H. L. Round, to the
Argus, vice Moresby, promoted, the appointment of
Commander J. W. Armstrong having been can-
celled; Lieut. Henry F.Nicholson,:to the Magicienne:
Lieut. Francis Durrant and Lieui. Herbert F.