The Sun.
London, England, 1852-12-28 00:00:00

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

APPOINTMENT.
Commander Joseph G. Bickford (1852), to the Albion,
90, Captain Stephen Lushington, in the Mediterranean,
vice Commander William Howat, superseded at his own
request. Commander Bickford's last employment was
as first lieutenant in the Cumberland, flag-ship, to Sir
George Seymour. We believe this to be a very judicious
appointment, as Commander Bickford has been con-
stantly employed in almost all quarters of the globe for
the last ten or a dozen years, and has invariably dis-
charged 141 s duties to the satisfaction of his superior
offic3rs. •

We regret to have to announce the death of Lieute-
nant David O'Brien Carey, one of the lieutenants of the
Royal Hospital Greenwich, which took place at his resi-
dence yesterday morning at half-past seven o'clock.
Lieutenant Casey was in the 75th4year of his age, and,
from the subjoined abstract from O'Byrne, it will be
seen that the gallant deceased had seen much service,
and exhibits another instance of the poor encourage-
ment held out to the veterans who fought and bled in
their country's service during the period that Great Bri-
tain had to contend against the most powerful combina-
tion ever made against her. We understand that Lieu-
tenant Casey has left one son (in the Royal Marines), a
widow, and three daughters, the latter of whom are en-
tirely dependent for their future support on the pension
allotted to a lieutenant's widow—viz., 501. per annum.

PORTSMOUTH, DEC. 27.
The new Commander-in-Chief of this port had not
arrived up to sunset. He is hourly expected, and in all
probability will hoist his flag to-morrow (Tuesday) al
nine a.m.

A violent storm set in at this port last evening from
the south-west, and lasted until nine o'clock this morn-
ing. Several merchant ships were compelled to bear
up from the Channel and take shelter in St. Helen's
Roads.

• A large merchant brig, with mainmast gone, and no
hands on board, was observed to be drifting in the direc-
tion of the Dean Sands, and at 11.30 a.m. she filled and
sunk.

A ship was also seen close to the shore in Stokes-bay
with signals of distress flying. Every assistance was
rendered by her Majesty's steam frigate Fury, and she
was towed from her perilous situation to the Mother-
bank, where a large number of merchantmen are safely
anchored.

A small schooner came into harbour with loss of bow
sprit.

The squadron at Spithead all rode out the gale in
safety, having struck their lower yards and topmast,
and sent topgallantmast on deck.
Many houses at Southsea, have sustained considerable
damage from the violence of the storm.
Wind south-west ; weather very strong.

PLYMOUTH, DEC. 27.

The stormy weather which has prevailed for two
months increased last night to a hurricane from the
southward. Out of fifty sail lying in the Sound only
one, the brigantine Sultan, went ashore. She drove
from her anchors about four o'clock this morning, and
became a wreck in Batten Bay.
The African mail steam-ship Forerunner, Captain
Atkins, continues in the Sound. The Cachmere emi-
grant ship, which sailed on Friday, put back yesterday.
THE ADELAIDE STEAMER.—The present arrangements
regarding the departure of the Adelaide are, to finish
her rudder in the dockyard on Thursday, to hang the
rudder on Friday, to make the experimental trip on
Saturday, and, if successful, to proceed on the voyage to
Australia the same day.
Intelligence has just reached this port that the barque
Ocean Queen, of and from London for the East Indies,
has been totally lost in Wembury Bay. None of the
crew were saved. A quantity of soap, bonnets, and wax
candles, are washing ashore. It is supposed that the
ship missed the harbour of Plymouth.

SHEERNESS, Dso. 27, 5 P.M.
Her Majesty's ship Horatio, screw steam guard ship,
of 24 guns and 250-horse power, in command of Captain
the Hon. S. Carnegie, lying off the town-pier, during a
most terrific gale from south-west this day at 8 a.m.,
broke the bridle chain of her moorings, which was of 21
inch iron, and drove a short distance from her berth.
On the chain parting the officer of the watch made im-
mediate arrangements for letting go both bower anchors ;
and, at 8.30 a.m., by order of the commanding- officer,
both anchors were let go, and the ship rode out the gale.
We have not experienced such a heavy gale here for many
years past.

- Her Majesty's ship Monarch, of 84 guns, guard-ship
of ordinary here, Captain Charles Hope, Superintendent
of her Majesty's Dockyard, in command, either parted
or dragged her south-east mooring anchor, and partially
drove during the gale of this morning, which commenced
last night and blew through the night a perfect hurri-
cane. Many experienced naval officers at this port state
that, during their experience afloat in England, they
never witnessed for the time such a terrific gale. Dur-
ing the worst of the gale the barometer was 29.60, and
the thermometer stood at 56.
Her Majesty's steam frigate Phaeton, of 50 guns, in
command of Captain George Elliott, on arrival here
(which is daily expected), is ordered to be placed at the
fitting basin docking buoy, and, immediately the tides
I"lnit, she is to be taken into the fitting basin for
ve fr t
stripping,, and transfer of officers and crew.
arelhneogale has considerably moderated, and preparations
w o being
made for officers and men on shore on
lea
Cp;taerinsiiereiiyg,oosinsgeroeffw tliontefir-braettsreecshtiivpeAships.
emnon,
be put
Maitland, has, in consequence of
she will be put outay,
the heavy
been prevented leaving the basin ;
to-morrow if the weather permits.

CONVICTS. Lieutenant- Colonel Jebb, Inspector-
General of Prisons, arrived at Portsmouth yesterday (Mon-
day) afternoon from London, on an official visit to the new
convect at ct priPorson there. A detachment of 70 convicts also
tsmouth yesterday from the metropolis f,,r
employment on the public works there, in place of a similar
number shipped from that place to the convict settlements.

13y letters received from Gibraltar under date of the
14th inst., we find that the squadron under Vice Ad-
miral Dundas was still in the bay awaiting orders from
home.

We hear that the squadron under the gallant admiral
is in excellent order, and what is equally gratifying,
both officers and men are happy and comfortable. There
is quite enough of drilling and exercising, without any
unnecessary or vexatious annoyances.
The crews of the Vengeance and Phaeton, on parting
company with the Mediterranean squadron for the pur-
pose of joining that under Rear Admiral Corry, loudly
cheered their former comrades, and we are assured tint
for many years so exciting a scene had not been wit-
nessed either in a home or foreign port.
PROMOTION.
Mr. William B. Grant, mate, seniority May 7, 1852,
now serving in the Britannia, flag-ship, in the Mediter-
ranean, to the rank of lieutenant. This officer is the
son of the respected comptroller of the victualling of the
Royal navy, and has received a board promotion in con-
sequence of the eminent services rendered by his father
to the navy generally.