The Sun.
London, England, 1864-02-04 00:00:00

Vice-Admiral Sir Michael Seymour, G.C.8., Naval
Commander-in-Chief at Portsmouth, yesterday hoisted his
flag on board the Sprightly steam tender, and proceeded
out to SpHiead, where he officially inspected the Duncan,
81, screw liner, Capt. Gibson, flagship of Rear-Actiniral
Sir James Hope, K.C.8., the future Admiral corkuoaid-
ing the British squadrons on the North America and \Wilt
India stations. The Duncan will make her commission
trial of speed at the measured mile in Stokes Bay early to-
morrow, weather permitting.

the Orontes, screw troopship, Capt. W. H. Hire, will go
out of Portsmouth harbour on the completion of her repairs
to machinery, &c,, this morning, and will anchor at Spit-
head in readiness for her trial at the measured mile, which
is appointed to take place on Saturday. Should the trial
prove satisfactory, the Orontes will then proceed to the
Mediterranean.

Her Majesty's paddle yacht Alberta will maks a third
trial of speed to. day with hail boiler power at the measured
mile in Stokes Bay, near fortsumuth. Rear-Admiral
Robinsoa. Controller of the Navy, and other ofilo:als, are
expected to be presenc, at the trial.
In addition to the iron and ironclad frigates in progress at
Chatham dockyard, it is decided to appropriate :No. G build-
ing shed for iron shipbuilding purposes as soon as the ne-
cessary arrangements can be carried into effect. The slip is
at present occupied by the Myrmidon, a small wooden screw
4-gun vessel of 200-horse power, which is about three-
fourths completed. All the hands have been removed Cram
that, as well as the other wooden ships in various stages of
progress at Chatham dockyard, for several years past, It is
proposed to complete the Myrmidon at once, and forthwith
to launoh her, when the slip will be immediately prepared
far one of the smaller classes of iron ships which are about
to be introduced into the Royal navy. In anticipation of
thi, slip being required for the construction of aniron vessel,
a number of workmen have been for some time einployed in
erecting the supports and tramways for tne overhead tra-
vellers and cranes. The details respecting the new iron ves-
sel have not yet been forwarded to Chatham dockyard ;runt
the Chief Constructor's filer, where the drawings and plans

are in course of preparation.
The freight-ship steamer Lord Clyde yesterday went
down to Woolwich Arsenal, and shipped animuunim fur
Hongkong.
Her Mojesty's steam storeship Dee, Master Commander
Raymond, has shipped a full cargo of steam gear, consisting
of machinery, &c., fur the steam sloop Harlequin, at Ports-
mouth, and naval stores, spare spars, sails, &c., for the Fox,
about to sail for Ocrfu, to bring home war stores from the
lonian Islands. The Dee will sail this m: ruing from Wool-
wich at 9 o'clock, and will embark 200 men and boys for
the fleet. A number of scaling ladders, manufactured in
the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich, have been despatched by
the last Mediterranean matt packet for the use of the party
of Royal Engineers engaged in razing the fortifications of
Corfu on their evacuation by our troops.

The screw steam Coastguard ship Russell, GO, Capt.
Sydney Grenfell, from Falmouth, arrived at Plymouth on
Tuesday evening. She discharged her powder yesterday
morning, and went into harbour to be dismantled. Her
dace) s and crew will be turned over to the screw steamship
tilt. George, 81, to succeed the Russell at Falmouth. The
steam tender to the RussAl, Lieut.. Commander
Scott, Arrived in company with that vessel.
The folillwing appointments were made yesterday at the
Admiralty : V. F. Johnson, muster. additional to the
Cumberland, for he Arethusa ; Arthur Charmer, I-ferny B.
Flemming, R. B. E, Ugle, and A. K. Woodrow, nominated
to naval cadetships.