The Sun.
London, England, 1852-12-10 00:00:00

PROMOTIONS.

Assistant-Surgeons—James Laird (1841), of the Ma-
gicienne, steam-corvette, Devonport ; and John Cockin,
(1841), of the screw-ship Blenheim, at Portsmouth, have
been promoted to the rank of surgeon.
We are glad to hear that at length justice has been
done to another officer in Sir John Franklin's expedition,
in the promotion of Assistant-Surgeon Alexander IVPDo-
nald (1841), of the Terror, to the rank of surgeon.
It is due to the Admiralty to state, that the three
medical officers above promoted were the eligible seniors
on the list.
Clerks.—Timothy Clinch (1842), in charge of the
Locust, Brazils, and Henry R. Shaw (1844), late of the
Dolphin, 3, paid off from the coast of Africa, two of the
seniors, have been appointed to the rank of paymaster.

APPOINTMENTS.
Surgeon.—Robert Bernard, to the Dido, 18, Devon-
port.
Midshipmen.—Robert Pitman, to the Cruizer, screw-
sloop, Woolwich ; Philip J. Hawkin, to the Sidon, 22,
steam-frigate, Portsmouth.
Naval Cadets.—C. B. Powell, to the Sidon ; R. A.
Herbert to the Britannia, 120, flag-ship, Mediterranean.
THE LONDON.—We believe that no orders have been
given for the transference of the officers and crew of the
London, 92, at Sheerness, to the screw three-decker
Duke of Wellington. There can be no doubt, however,
that a well-manned screw three-decker would be equal
in power and execution to both Queen and London, mere
sailing-ships. The London was reported all ready for
sea yesterday, and will proceed to Portsmouth on Satur-
day (to-morrow). She is about a score of blue jackets
short of her advanced complement.

PORTSMOUTH, DEC. 9

The Basilisk, 6, new paddle-sloop, 980 tons, 400-horse
power, Commander the Hon. F. Egerton, arrived at
Spithead last evening from the( North American station,
to which she was dispatched to augment the squadron
under Vice-Admiral Sir GeoxggaSeymouc on the outset
of the fisheries dispute. 'The Allmiral, in the Cumber-
land, 72, had left Halifax for Bermuda on the sth ult.
The Basilisk left Halifax on the 17th, and has had strong
easterly gales nearly all the passage home, which delayed
her very considerably. The Devastation steam-sloop,
Commander Campbell, and the Columbia steam-sloop,
Commander Shortland, were at Halifax fishing-grounds
when the Basilisk left. She has brought home Mr.
Martin, second master, and four seamen, invalided from
the Cumberland, and one seaman from the Devastation ;
also a mail. The Basilisk's firsi commission has dis-
played her qualities as anything but those of a trust-
worthy, creditable war steamer. %le answers very badly
under steam ; she has been on fire several times, owing
to the bulkheads being built toe close to the boilers ;
she consequently came home more than two-thirds of
her passage under canvas, and must be very considerably
and expensively altered before she can undertake
another voyage without imperilling the ship and
all on board. She was built at Woolwich in 1848 on
the design of Mr. Lang, and was commissioned at Ports-
mouth in May last. Her crew report her very ill venti-
lated, in consequence of which defect they have been very
unhealthy. A report is current that they will be turned
over to the Bulldog.
The London, 92, Captain Mundy, may be expected at
Spithead about Tuesday next, as she will leave the Nore
for this port on Sunday. Her entire crew and a por-
tion of the officers will be transferred to the screw three-
decker Duke of Wellington, 131.
The Sidon, 22, Captain Goldsmith 'was brought down
from her moorings this morning, ready for docking, to
have her bottom inspected,
after which she will be out of
the hands of the dockyard.
The Archer, 14, Commander Strange, received her
officers and crew from the hulk to-day, and hauled along-
side the Malabar to take in coals ready for trial.

PLYMOUTH, DEC. 9.
Four sail-of-the-line, four steam-vessels, and six first-
class frigates, are ordered to be got ready here with all
possible dispatch.
The crew of the Dido, 18, Captain W. H. A Mors-
head, were paid down yesterday, and obtained ten days'
leave of absence.
The officers and crew of the steam-vessel Spiteful were
paid off yesterday.