The Sun.
London, England, 1864-02-23 00:00:00

Naval and llilitary Intelligence.

THE NAVY.

A new machine for drawing ship's bolts having been sub-
mitted to the Admiralty, their lordships have directed it to
be tried at the dockyards for a few months, and a full report
of its capabilities forwarded to the Board by the officials.
The screw gunboat Pigeon, 2, 60 horse power, is being
fitted for the first division of the steam reserve in the Med-
way. She takes the place of the &poy, 2, 60 horse power,
commissioned by Lieut.-Commander W. Welsh for parti-
cular service.

The contractors' trial of James Watt and Company's en-
gines on board the new iron cased ship Research took place
outside Plymouth Breakwater yesterday. The mean speed
of six trials at the measured mile gave 10.356 knots and 85
revolutions. The wind was easterly. With the holm hard
astarboard 39 deg. she made a half-circle in 1 min. 54 ace.,
and the whole circle in 3 min. 51 sec. ; with the helm hard
aport 38 deg. she made a half •circle in 1 min. 52 sec „and
the whole circle in 3 min, 50 sec. These results are consi-
dered very satisfactory.

THE ARMY.
In consequence of the corps of Royal Marine Light In-
fantry being considerably below its proper establishments
several additional recruiting parties have been despatched
from the headquarters of the several divisions for the pur-
pose of raising men for that branch of the service. The
following officers from the Chatham and other divisions
aie now employed to superintend the recruiting for the
Royal Marines in the several districts in England—Lient.-
Col. R. Parke, Bath— Lieut.-Col. J. C. D. Morrison,
London—Major W. G. It. Masters, Chelmsford—Major E.
L, Pym, Derby—Major J. Y. Holland, Gloucester—Major
G. E. 0. Jackson, Salisbury—Captain J. P. Murray,
Barnstaple--Capt. G. L. Blake, Birmingham—Capt. C. 0.
Baker—Bury St. Edmunds—Capt. E. C. Domville, Exeter
—Capt. C. L. A. Farmer, Hull_ rapt. P. Harris, Lincoln
—Capt. W. H. H. West,.Liverpool—Capt. R. V. Allen,
Manchester—Capt. W. J. Kinsman, Northimipton—Capt.
T, P. Casey, Pontefract—Capt. IV. J. Dunn, Sheffield—
Capt. S. H, Little, raunton—Capt. T. Creighton, Guild-
ford—Capt. C. L. T. Usher, Norwich—and Capt. R. K.
Willson.

Under existing arrangements the new lines of advanced
forts and other defences on the Gogport side of Portsmouth
harbour contain accommodation for 137 officers and 3,100
men, exclusive of the Royal Marino light Infantry. The
total hospital accommodation for this large number of
troops on the same side of the harbour is only for 76 officers
and men, and although the actual number of recruits now
quartered at and around Gosport only amounts to 34 offi-
cers and 853 men, as may be imagined there is a constant
transfer of sick from Gosport to the Military Hospital
at Portsmouth, which can only be carried on at consider-
able expense, as well as discomfort and delay to the sick.
The Army Estimates for 1861-5 contain an item, " Haslar—
Converting barracks into hospital, £2,000," which is in-
tended to remedy this want of hospital accommodation for
the troops stationed at and near Gosport. The barracks
selected for the purpose contain in their present form as
barracks accommodation for 20 officers and 187 men. They
are built of brick, with hollow walls, and are generally ar-
ranged on the " hut" principle. Their situation is in every
respect suitable for the purpose of a military hospital, as it
adjoins the great Royal Naval Hospital at Haslar, on the
line of sea beach extending from the mouth of Portsmouth
harbaur to Stoke's Bay, at the eastern entrance of the
Solent.