The Sun.
London, England, 1863-08-25 00:00:00

N°. 22,202.

NEW NOVEL by the Author cf "COUSIN GEOFFREY."
Now ready at all the Libraries, in 3 vols.,
LEFT TO THEMSELVES.
By the Author of "Cousin Geoffrey," .-te•
llurst and Blackett, 13, Great Marlborough-street.

Now ready, in 2 vols., post Svo.,
NED LOCKSLE Y, THE ETONIAN;
On, TAN: ONLY SON.
A NOVEL.
Richard Bentley, New 13urlingioa-strect

T H 0 X F OR D,
o, OXFORD STREET, W.
THIS EVENING, will be performed Operatic Selections
from Sir Henry R. hishop's THE SLAVE and Halevy's
MUSKETEERS (first time in England).
Principal Artistes—Miss Russell, Miss Ell'son, Messrs.
Green, Bernardi, Huish, &c., with full band and chorus.
Conductor, Mr. F. Jonghmans.
Flute Solos by Drew Dean dm.

Comic, by UNSWORTH (" or any other man "), Eugene,
W. Randall, A. Lloyd, and George Hodson.
Also, a Pei formauce by Herr SCHAL KENB ACH on his
wonderful instrument, the PIANO ORGHESTRE, contain-
ing a full baud of 40 instruments.

'I he HALL has just been newly Decorated and Ventilated,
and is one of the most Beautiful in the Metropolis.
Open at 8 o'clock. Admission, ed. ; stalls and balcony, ls. ;
private boxes, les. 6d.

CIANTERBURY HALL " GHOST."—In order
Ik.) to gratify the curiosity of nightly-increasing crowds,
Mr. C. MORTON has transferred the representation of Pro-
fessor Pepper and Henry Dirks, Esq.'s, world-famed spectral
Illusion, " TIIE GHOST," from the Picture Gallery to the
Concert Hall, where a new and elegant stage is erected,
affording a more ample view of the Illusion from Stalls, Bal-
cony, and body of the Hall. He has also arranged for Mr.
A. Silvester to give (with all that gentleman's late't im-
provements and effects), REPRESENTATIONS EACH
EVENIG, at Ten o'clock.

All the other Musical and Pictorial attractions as usual,
including Operatic Selections, &c. ; Uasworth (the modern
Demosthenes), Eugene, Arthur Lloyd, George Hodson, &c.

ROYAL ALITAIVIBRA PALACE. The
FAIRY FOUNTAIN.—A Grand Divertissement by
Signora Rachele and Mariannina and Signor Guiseppe Fran-
ce•co,assisted by a corns of Twenty young Ladies—The
Conrads as the Original French Clowns and on the Corde
Elastique—Les Petits Monstres—Brian and Conly in an
amusing and novel Burlesque —Mrs. Brian as Old Aunt Sally,
&c., &c.--Wood and his Wonderful Son—Grand Operatic
Selections :—Principals, Miss M'Gregor, Mr. Albert, Signor
Georgini (the new Italian tenor), and Mr. Vernon Itigby—
Band and Chorus of Sixty Performers.

IMMENSE SUCCESS of the ALHAMBRA
GHOST, a highly comical and amusing, representation
of the popnlar optical illusion.—EVEKY EVENING, at
Eleven o'clock.

CARD PLATES ENGRAVED.
Any Pattern
50 BEST CA H DS, Print. d from Plate ....•• Is•
PEAL MOROCCO CARL) CASES
1,000 BUSINESS ENVELOPES, gummed 35.
NEWSPAPER ENVELOPES, 4 doz 6d.
F. ARNOLD, Manufacturing Stationer, 86, Fleet-street, E.C.

TO ENGINEERS, ARCHITECTS, AND CONTRACTORS IN TIIE
EASTERN, SOUTH-EASTERN, AND SOUTH-WESTERN

COUNTIES.
GREAVES' BLUE LIAS LIME,
14, SOUTH WHARF, PADDINGTON, W.,

L. 31". TATITX.M, Agent.

Arrangements are now made by which this well-known
BLUE LIAS 1 IME can be sent direct from the kilns in
Warwickshire, in Greaves and Kirshaw's own trucks, to any
stations on the above-named lines, as fresh as though burnt
upon the spot, and at a lower price.
A QUANTITY. of either lump or ground can he sup-
plied at a few days' notice, and trucks forwarded daily from
the kilns and mill.
Contractors will find this worth their notice, as they can
be supplied at any time, in quantities to suit their require-
ments, from SIX TONS and upwards.

DEAFNESS.—The SOUND MAGNIFIER
INVISIBLE VOICE CONDUCTOR, a newly In-
vented instrument for severe eases of deafness. It fits into
the ear, not perceptib'e, removes singing noises in the head,
and enables deaf persons to hear distinctly at church and at
public assemblies.—S. and B. SOLOMONS, 39, Albemarle-
street, Piccadilly.

MONEY PROMPTLY ADVANCED by a
Private Gentleman upon FURNITURE (without
removal?. Leasehold and Freehold Property, or Reversions,
fie., in sums from £2O to 1..500.—Mr. Howard, 18, Queen-
street, Cheapside.

CONTRACT FOR PROVISIONS.
Royal nospital, Chelsea,
14th Aug., It 6
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE the LORDS
and OTHERS, COMMISSIONERS of this HOS-
PITAL, do hereby give NOTICE, That they are ready to
receive TENDERS from and to treat with such persons as
may be willing to Contract for victuailinz the in-pensioners
of the said Hospital, from the Ist October, 1863, to the 30th
September, 1861, both days inclusive, with the following
articles of provisions, &c., viz.:—Beef and Mutton, Bread,
Cheese, Butter, Potatoes, Salt, Oatmeal, Barley or Rice,
Pepper, Flour, Suet, Cocoa, Black Tea, Sugar, Milk, Onions
or Leeks, Carrots, Celery, Thyme, Marjoram, Winter Savory
and Parsley, daily, at per head per diem for the whole
ration according to the established allowances of the house. as
specified in the form of Tender, which may be obtained at the
office of the Secretary any day between the hours of 10 and 3
o'clock, which Tender must be filled up and delivered, sealed,
at the Board-room of the said Hospital by the party or
parties tendering. or by an agent appointed on his or their
behalf. on Tuesday, the Ist of September, at 12 o'clock. at
which time their Lordships will be prepared to take the same
in to consideration.

to be observed that the Contractors wi'l be required
to find Security to the Crown for the due performan e of the
Contract, and that no Tender will be received after the day
and hour above mentioned.

The Commissioners do not pledge themselves to accept the
lowest Tender.

A. J. MOORHEAD,
secretary and Registrar,

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, AUGUST 25, 1863.

THE DERBYSHIRE MURDER.

It appears that the murderer of Miss Goodwin, on his
arrival at Whatstandwell-bridge railway-station, on Friday

morning, went to Mrs. Burley's, the Buli's Head Inn, and
had two glasses of brandy and water, telling the landlady
that he should protably want a bed for 9 night or two, but
that depended upon circumstances. He left a carpet-bag at
the inn, and then walked to Wirksworth, calling at the Red

Lion Motel, in that town, and partaking of four bottlts of

soda water and brandy, the last of which he forgot to pay
for. He then proceeded to the Grange, and cotomitted the

foul crime. He wrote from Manchester on Thursday to say
that he should visit the Grange on Friday, but the letter

has not been produced in evidence. After the inquest on
Saturday he was removed to Wirksworth lock-up, a great
crowd thronging the way,and threatening vengeance on the
culprit. The prisoner conversed lightly about the weather
and other trivial subjects, and seemed bent upon making
himself an agreeable companion. On searching him at the
lock-up, a diary, liquor flask, pipes, tobacco, envelopes, and
about 12s. in money were found 111 Y 11 him, together with
the draught of a letter requesting to see Miss Goodwin be-
fore he went abroad. On Saturday and Sunday evenings
he did not sleep well, but he partook of his meals with great
heartiness. On Sunday he was visited in his cell by two
companions, who came to see him from Bury in Lancashire,
and on their return to Derby in the evening they instructed
Mr. Leech, solicitor. to defend him. The mother of the
murdered young lady arrived at Wigwell Grange on Satur-
day evening from Manchester, and on Monday evening
last when the prisoner arrived at Derby railway station, pre-
vious to being conveyed to the county gaol, he met his father
on the platform, the latter having just arrived by train from
Manchester. It ia needless to say that the meeting was dis-
tressing. Prisoner gave his address as "G. V. Townley,
Esq., Henham-vale, Queen's-psrk, Manchester." It was
stated that his father is a commission agent,and that the mur-
dered girl's fatheris a civil engineer. During the magisterial
inquiry, on Monday, he stood perfectly erect,apparently not
the least affected by what was going on, and never speak-
ing except to his solicitor, whichhe did frequently through-
out the inquiry.

CELEBRATION of the TERCENTENARY of
the BIRTH of SHAKSPE ARE, at Stratford-upon-
Avon. The Tercentenary Committee (of which Sir Robert
N. C. Hamilton, Bart., K.C. 8.. is Chairmani are now receiv-
ing SUBSCRIPTIONS, and they may also be paid to the
account of the Tercentenary Committee, at the Stourbridg-e
and Kidderminster or Warwick and Leamington Banks,
Stratford-upon-Avon ; Messrs. Greenway, Smith, and
Greenway, Warwick; or their London agents, Messrs.
Smith, Payne. and Co , Messrs Hanburys and Co., or Messrs.
Glyn and Co banker s, London.

inquest), corroborated the statement of Conway. He saw
prisoner and Conway carrying Miss Goodwin, and he as-
sisted. Prisoner said he had done the deed, in answer to
questions asked by the witness. Witness left them at the
hall gates and went on to Wirksworth.
Anthony Seeds, brother of the last witness, gave similar
evidence.

The Tercentenary Committee, in submitting the subscrip-
tion list to the nation, most earnestly appeal to the admirers
of Shakspeare for their aid and assistance. The Committee
rest their claims upon the r,round that Stratford is not only
the birthplace of Shakspeare, but the centre of attraction to
all admirers of the great Poet's works, and that it was his
hme, the town he luved, and where he lived and died.

James Conway—l live at wigwell. I was milking some
cows about half-past 8 o'clock on Friday evening last, when
I heard a shout down Wigwell-lane, and went down. I
met Reuben Conway, George Seeds, his brother Anihony,
and the prisoner. They were carrying Miss Goodwin, who
was covered with blood. I said, " What is the matter ? who
has done this?" and the prisoner replied, " I know, and he
knows (meaning Reuben Conway) ; I have dune it, and I
must be hanged." 1 then helped to carry the body, and put
my smockfrock under -Miss Goodwin's shoulders and at the
back of her head. I asked the prisoner to lay hold of one
side of the smock, and he did so. I said to the prisoner,
"Hold up, hcld up," and be replied, "I am not likely to
carry like you men." We then carried the body into the
front kitchen of the hall. IVe met Captain Goodwin near
the hall, and he asked what was the matter, and who had
done it. Prisoner replied. "It is your granddaughter; I
have done it."

Joseph Bowmer corroborated Reuben Conway. He as-
sisted in carrying the body. He said " Where is the fellow
who has done it ?" and a man replied "I am the man who
did it; there is no mistake about it." He could not say
that it was the prisoner who made the observation. They
met the captain, who said several times " Who has done it ?"
and witness replied "That man who is carrying at the
shoulder says he has done it." The captain then said "Who
is he P' and witness replied that he did not know. The cap-
tain told him to fetch Dr. Mant and two policemen.

on shore flew about his head in all directions, and
one passed through his speaking trumpet. Ensign
Goodwin and several others were in the nangazine
when the explosion of the torpedo took place be-
neath the bows of the Commodore Barney. The im-
medinte effect of the accident was the starting up of
her guards 10 inches. The flames from the torpedo
penetrated, but when the vessel settled again the
water rushed in in a perfect torrent, and this was
all that saved her from total destruction. While
the Cohasset had the Barney in tow Capt. Cox; of
the former vessel, was in the pilot-house, directing
her movements under the fire of the enemy. While
thus engaged a solid shot struck him fair in the
back—of course killing him instantly. Paymaster
Jernigen, of the Commodore Barney, had his room
knocked into pieces by the rebel shells, and he him-
self was slightly injured by splinters.—New York
Herald.

Naval and Military Intelligence.

ROYAL FREE HOSPITAL, Gray's-inn-road,
in the immediate *vicinity of the Great Northern Rail-
way Terminus, at King's-cross.
Patron—The QUEEN.
President—The Duke of BUCCLEUCH, K.G.
Treasurer—Edward Masterman, Esq.
This was the first hospital to introduce the principle of free
and instant admission to the destitute sick, without the for-
mality of governors letters. It is entirely devoted to desti-
tution in its most pitiable form—viz., that which is accom-
panied by sickness and disease, and is now of sufficient
magnitude that, with adequate support, it may be rendered
capable of admitting Into its wards a very large proportion of
the casual sick of this great metropolis. It requires but the
funds in order to have 500 beds available for the reception of
these the most wretched of our fellow-creatures. Moreover,
it gratuitously affords medical advice and medicine to more,
on the average, than 3,000 out-patients a week.

- -
The Weekly Board feel it their imperative duty to make an
EARNEST APPEAL to the public for continued support,
to enable them to admit and relieve the distressing cases that
daily present themselves.
Contributions are received by the Treasurer, Edward
Mac erman, Esq., Nicholas-lane; also by Messrs. Coutts and
Co. ; Drummond and Co. ; Herries and Co. ; Ransom and
Co.;• Prescott, Grote, and Co.; Smith, Payne, and Co. ; Glyn
and Co. ; Jones Loyd and Co. ; Barclay and Co. ; Denison
and co, ; Deacon, and Co. ; Overend, Gurney, and
Co. ; Nisbet and Co. ; Messrs. J. Barned and Co., Liverpool
and at the Hospital.
STANFORD S. SMITH. Secretary.

Dr. Mant and police-constable Farnham having given
evidence, - _ _

ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT
INSTITUTION
(Inoorporated by Royal Charter).
PATTI ONE S s—Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen.
PnEsIDENT—Vice-Admiral the Duke of Northumberland,
KG., Y.R.S.

CITATRMAN—Thos. Baring, Esq., M.P., F.It.S., V.P.
DEPUTY-CUAIRMAN—Thomas Chapman, Esq., 1.R.5., V.P.
APPEAL.
The Committee of Management have to state that, since
the beginning of the year 1860, the Royal. National Lifeboat
Institution has expended £32,000 on various Lifeboat Estab-
lishments on the Coasts of England, Scotland, and Ireland.
The number of lives saved by the Life-boats of the
Society, and other means, since its formation, is 12,800;
for which services 82 Gold Medals, 718 Silver Medals, and
£16,480 in cash have been paid in rewards. The Institu-
tion has also expended £67,000 on Life-boats, Life-boat
Transporting-cart iages, and Boat-houses.
The Committee desire to express their grateful sense of
the generous support which they have received from the
British public during the past few years, a support which
has enabled them to establish their present magnificent fleet
of 123 Lifeboats on the shores of the United Kingdein
Deeply sensible, however, of the great responsibility that
resits on them to maintain their fleet in a thoroughly efficient
state, and its Crews practised in the management of their
boats, whil can only be effected by a large and permanent
annual income, they earnestly appeal to all classes of their
countrymen to aid them in upholding and perpetuating so
great and truly national a work.
The Committee gratefuhy acknowledge the following con-
tributions:—

The prisoner was committed for trial at the next assizes,
remarking, in answer to the magistrates clerk, that he had
nothing to say.

Federal Repulse on the James River.

THE NAVY.

[Ter Majesty the Queen ••
Campbell, the lion. Mrs. G. ..
clerk, Colonel, R.A. •• • •
Coutts and Co. Messrs., Bankers
Currie, Win.,

The Snipe, 5, screw steam gunvessel, 431 tons,
80 horse power, Commander A. H. W. Battiscombe,
was taken from her moorings in Sheerness Harbour
to the measured mile off Maplin Sands, for the final
trial of her engines previous to the departure of the
vessel to the West Coast of Africa, to which station
she is appointed, but owing to a defect in the steam
generating qualities of the machinery, she was
steamed back to Sheerness, where she will undergo
some slight alterations which will detain her a few
days longer. _ _

X 8. d
.. animal 50 0 0
.. annual 6 0 0
annuttl 1 1 0
.. annual 10 0 0
.. 4th don.lo 0 0

I ;:ire lone:,r. tel.cok:rl tel:C.
, , Justice
I;nsir,ptri
laiiiiii.invvrorr
vi,itse.:
ntii
I.liiiriernvinyat:
,i7x:nviiezroti,,,?o,c.V:i
H.:G.hi4jrsc Vice-Admiral
on,rooa.eni s
I.lseytnSr:isoc
iir.cf
O:TA.
cat
i.... ..
Lifeboat
e.............. 70. K.C.B. t ..a ..n d • don.
2:rtaonn
... 2150 100
0°
J.,
S
•
...I. don. 253° 0 0
...... 7th. don.lo 0 0
don. 15 15 0
. 3 0 0
annual 2 0 0
viiatoduy;ih:Fd.y.,l,V.e.ston:s.upder.-..Marc.,.collec...t.edabny.n.huearl
165
106
00
d Lresby Lor • •
coerel ai, an 1--,-.
(land Annual Subscriptions will be thankfully re-
.,
5,, tsiYt r ta:::
~I,la:nl7:67sLoomf
btahr.,thlsnt6rteiettu;tioNne,ssT,,e.scerosu.
tlt%;iallnisd,
01a0hm3475:::1_,
4.10114. Berries, Fara
andrie hi:::
radn ki.,, rreCiitsi.i. Londone uni
t;
ondonh:l4;l7.
_at t he Oilit.L' ;01.tantdebY the,_ Secretary
edbliy a 1 the ilcollectorsihar.iarntoiCfto,Ct"juolsnfii,omBltis:

A reconnaissance of Fort Darling, on the James
River, was made on Tuesday, Aug. 4, by the gun-
boats Commodore Barney, Capt. Huse ; Sangamon
(Monitor), Capt. Nicholson ; and the armed steam-
tug Cohasset, Capt. Cox. Major-Gen. Foster, with
a party consisting of the following named officers,
accompanied the expedition, and was present
throughout the subsequent engagement. On board
the Juhn Faron, the General's special boat, were
Brigadier-General H. M. Naglee, commanding 7th
Army Corp; Brigadier-General Edward E. Potter,
Chief of the Staff; Major C. S. Stewart, Engineer
of Fort Wool; Major Edward N. Strong, Aide-de-
Camp ; Capt. Louis Fitzgerald, Aide-de-Camp; and
Lieut. F. W. Farquhar, Chief Engineer of Depart-
ment. The gunboats got under way from Newport':
News at about 12 o'clock noon, and proceeded
leisurely up the river. Capt. Gansevoort, of the
Roenoke, was on board the Barney as acting flag
officer of the little fleet. The trip was quite
pleasant, and there seemed no probability of any
attempt being made to bar the progress of our
vessels. But as the boats were passing Aiken s
Landing, about 16 miles above City Point, the Com-
modore Barney, being in advance and having the
Monitor in tow, was fired into by riflemen on shore.
The volleys of musketry which accompanied the
continuous rattle of the sharpshooters' pieces were
very severe, and lasted 20 minutes, The rebels,
however, met with a vigorous reply from our gun-
boats, the brave commanders of which, nothing
daunted, boldly kept on up the river. No other in-
cident of an exciting nature transpired until the
fleet had reached a point on the river within six
miles of Fort Darling. Here, as usual, the Barney
bore the brunt of the misfortune. A tor-
pedo was exploded under her starboard bow.
The effect of this explosion was terrific
in appearance, but, luckily, did not turn out
so bad after all. The vessel was lifted by the
shock upwards of loft. out of water, and an im-
mense jet of water was hurled from her bow 50ft.
in the air at least, falling over and completely de.
lugini,,e her, and washing overheard 30 men. Not 7:
withstanding the desperate condition of affairs
boats were immediately manned, and the unfortu-
nates were rescued by their faithful brethren from
a watery grave. Two of these men only, named
Martin Krout, seaman, and L. Gamble (coloured),
were drowned. The rest were all picked up, with
the exception of two or three, who swam ashore.
It was now discovered that the Barney was badly
injured, so much so that it was found necessary to
point her head for the snore. The Cohasset, how-
ever, took her in tow shortly, it being found that
her engines were completely disabled. A further
advance was now considered useless, inasmuch as
the men seen on shore were there doubtless for the
purpose of exploding the torpedoes beneath our ves-
sels as they attempted to pass, So the expedition
returned to Dutch Gap, where anchors were
dropped for the night. The Commodore Barney
was here repaired slightly, and the next morning
was taken in tow. The Monitor and the fleet moved
down the river again. A mile below their anchorage
the enemy opened on them with artillery and
musketry, the latter fire being unremitting and
terribly severe. The Barney, with her usual luck,
was among the first to fall under the terrible
severity of the engagement. Notwithstanding her
disabled condition she gallantly replied to every
shot. Her armament consisted of five 9 inch guns
and ono 100-pounder Parrot rifled. A running
fight was now begun and kept up along the bluffs
for some distance. The banks on either side were
found to be so high that it was simply impossible
to elevate the guns so as to reply to the rebels with
any degree of precision or effectiveness. The Nor-
folk ladies' gunboat, the General Jessup, Lieutenant
Colonel Charles Whipple commanding, which had
started from Fortress Monroe on Wednesday the sth
inst., with despatches for General Foster, met the
fleet at Turkey Island. She was immediately
hitched to the starboard side of the Monitor to ac-
celerate her speed, the Cohasset being already
hitched to the port side, the Barney being in tow
behind the Monitor. Abreast of Turkey Island the
enemy opened on us again in the most determined
manner with four pieces of artillery and any quan-
tity of sharpshooters. The unfortunate gunboat, the
Commodore Barney, here met with the first mishap,
as usual. A solid shot struck her under the guards,
abaft the wheelhouse and 15 inches below the water
line, penetrating her hull and passing through the
coal bunker and boiler, thus finally disabling the
vessel effectually. The havoc that was worked on
her by the enemy's shot, shell, and bullets is almost
incredible. There is scarcely a portion of the boat
but has been penetrated by the missiles of the enemy
—either shells, bullets, or solid shot. Shells passed
through the officers' rooms, shattering everything,
and scattering furniture, beds, and woodwork to the
four winds. The sharpshooters were so think upon
the banks that it would have been useless slaughter
to have manned the guns. But it is a wonderful
fact that, notwithstanding bullets were continually
piercing the vessel on every side, and erratic shells,
with their peculiar scream and splurge, went howl-
ing through the craft in every direction in search of
prey, our loss sums up a good round nought. The
rebel artillery, composed of 12 pounders, was served
with spirit. The General Jessup received the first

shot in her steam drum, while the second that was
fired struck the port side of the Cohasset, passed
through the engice-room struck the Monitor's deck
and exploded, and led the pieces in the bide of the
Jessup. Another shell paused through the yard and
under the counter of the latter vessel, glancing and
tearing the timber, thus just falling to penetrate to
the magazine. The iron shield astern was pierced,
and bullets were imbedded in almost every timber.
The Monitor, Capt. Nicholson, throughout the fight,
moved frowningly ou in contemptuous silence, and
did not often deign to reply to the puny foe. She
was struck several times, but a slight indeutittio❑
of her armour was the only result, Capt. Huse, of
the Commodore Barney, displayed throughout the
trying emergencies to which he was submitted the
greatest coolness, -nerve, and intrepidity. lie was
on the hutric9.ne deck almost the \Tl'le time, ex-
posed to the enemy's terrible fire, and by his gal-
lant conduct has done himself and the navy the
hip,trst boaimr. Ti-Ac bullets of the ,sh,.).7phooters

ik.
(
1...:; ::.,
_ . .
).4i- 4. k, IL-rik,
~.......),
.„__..„..
~,... t
/,
‘ „0-.: ..
I ~
•,•!,Ai1.......(14.:
... can • Ar 4 tf 4,,,,,i
~...,,,
_,,
~41,--,c; 44•';•-•/‘ ',., . .
• • /
1 -.1..-
A ' s,i -
~..., ,:-..4,,.... ‘,,
'O),"
4111ENtrijillkly h 4 ......-..'f • ' !-.•=::".o. s.: ~
A. 44- -
`lll -*
... 4
r
\-- Ltd' \".7
'
dr 1,. 1
i. b
..... i - , . ~.
't 7.61. la •lam
ep ,bllll6-;--,46,. ....j.' , . :IN----,-,-;
9 iN•'---ze---
,• . ,
-N
~' -;":? arir,fr. -k-- .4' -4-,,,,. tpd, 'DROIT• ~, .
.-,.., •,,,..., ...,.. ..*
....4,1, 'l,l
. % ~...47-7.0-...,,,..,, ~, ~,,,E1:.
,„.,,,4,1, ~„....,,t,, Is-- .•:.t.we...,..•

Advantage has been taken at Chatham of the re-
cent fine weather to lay the main and upper deck
planking of the Achilles, and by this evening the
entire surface of the upper, or weather, dock will be
planked and caulked on the ordinary iron deck
plates from end to end. The mechanics have been
employed overtime for about a fortnight past in
order that the entire deck might be completed be-
fore any change of weather sets in. The iron plating
of all the decks is 5-16ths of an inch in thickness,
with iron ties rti thick. Above this is laid the ordi-
nary 4 in. oak planking on the main deck, and 4 in.
deal planking on the upper dack. Several hundred
mechanics are employed in completing the shot and
shell proof bulkheads which inclose the broadside
batteries 0f.26 guns. In this portion of the frigate
the 41 inch iron armour plating is carried from five
feet below the water line to above the main deck to
the bulwarks, by which arrangement the men work-
ing the guns will be entirely protected by 42 inch
armour plates. This plating, however, will not be
carried beyond the main deck in the other portions
of the vessel, the sides of which will be protected by
the ordinary inch iron plates. By this arrangement
there will be three distinct batteries on board the
Achilles, but from the manner in which the centre
battery wili be protected by the armour plating the
gunners will be enabled to keep up a steady fire
long after the guns in the other batteries may have
been silenced. The centre, or midships, battery is
now entirely completed and covered with the ar-
mour plating, the only remaining portions of the
exterior of the Achilles now waiting to receive the
armour plates being the stem and stern portions,
but in consequence of the difficulty experienced in
bending the plates the work proceeds but slowly.
Yesterday Mr. Lang, the master shipwright at
Chatham, left the establishment on a month's leave
of absence granted by the Admiralty, preparatory
to resigning his present appointment, and the
superintendence of the completion of the Achilles
devolves on Mr. Moore, the principal assist.-master
shipwright at Chatham dockyard.
Considerable difficulty has been experienced by
the Admiralty in procuring the number of ship-
wrights requisite to be employed in breaking up the
old sailing line of-battle ship Duncan, 74, now in
dock at Chatham, and up to yesterday only about a
tenth of the number required had presented them-
selves at the dockyard. The dockyard authorities
have, therefore, been compelled to remove some
hands from the iron ship to the Duncan, in order
that no unnecessary time may be lost in taking her

to pieces now that the work has been fairly com-
menced. Considering the laborious nature of the
work in breaking up a vessel of war, it would be
manifestly advisable to employ some labourers in
that operation, as skilled mechanics are not disposed
to enter themselves for that employment. The Dun-
can was built rather more than half a century since,
and was launched at Blackwall.

The transport Akbar, which was in collision off
Start Point with a Spanish bark, and has been since
repaired at Dartmouth, passed down Channel at
noon yesterday, on her voyage to Kurrachee, with
troops; all well.

—..4d.
STAMPED ....sd.

proportioned to the weight which it is intended to
bear. All the forts will be circular in form, the
external diameter being 205 ft"
As
and the founda-
tion will be faced with granite. to the number
of guns with which each is to be armed, that
o f course depends upon the progress which is made
in artillery science, but there can be no doubt that
they will be armed with guns of the heaviest calibre
which it is possible to make. In laying the foun-
dations of works of this kind, of course the great
object is to obtain a good bottom. So far as the
Horse shoal is concerned—and it is the only one
where any precise examination has bean completed
—nature has strongly favoured us in this respect.
It is there found that an artificial bottom will be
perfectly unnecessary. The depth over the shoal
is about lift. at low water, spring tide. The bor-
ing of the shoal to the depth of 55ft. shows that the
upper stratum consists of sft. of compact shingle
and sand; the second stratum is composed of 18ft.
of sand, containing pieces of bark and branches of
trees, partly carbonised ; the third, of blue clay,
containing layers of vegetable matter, Bft. thick ;
the fourth, shingle and sand with shells, sft. thick ;
the fifth, blue silty clay, to the depth of 17ft., and
then sand and shingle. Tho shoal is, therefore,
substantial enough to bear any weight, and the
boring has been carried so far, not for the purpose
of finding a more substantial foundation, but to ob-
tain fresh water. The method by which this result
is to be obtained is ingenious yet simple. A wrought
iron cylinder Gft. in diameter, is sunk into the upper
stratum, and as the various strata are excavated by
divers inside and the cylinder sinks lower and
lower, successive lengths of cast iron tube, of the
same diameter are added to it. As we have already
intimated, this cylinder has been sunk to the depth
of 55ft. below the surface of the shoal, and 90ft.
below high-water mark, and the divers now expe-
rience considerable difficulty in pursuing their la-
bours, inasmuch as the pressure of atmosphere
pumped into the helmet is nearly three times the
pressure of the atmosphere on the surface of the earth.
The Sturbridge shoal differs from the Horse in the
tact that it consists of a bank or clay, and will pro-
bably require an artificial foundation, the depth of
water over it at low spring tides being about 171 t.
The Noman, it is expected, will offer a foundation
equally substantial with that at the Horse. For the
construction of these works a circular staging will
be erected round each fort, and upon it will be con-
structed radiating steam travellers, so that the
stone and other material will be raised from the
vessels by steam power, and deposited on the exact
spot where it is required. The piles upon which the
superstructure of the staging will be supported will
be fitted with heavy cast iron screws, and will be
screwed into the ground by means of a capstan head
fixed upon each pile. The foundations will not be
laid by means of a coffer dam, as in ordinary cases,
but the ground will be levelled and each block of
stone laid by divers in helmets. The construction of
these extensive works will be under the superinten-
dence of Mr. Hawkshaw, the eminent engineer of
Great George-street, London, the resident engineer
being Mr. Harris, son of Sir William Snow Harris.
The contractor is Mr. Leather, who was also the
contractor for the construction of Portland Break-
water, one of the grandest examples of modern engi-
neering science. Mr. Leather has,already begun the
establishment of extensive works in Stokes Bay for
the manufacture of concrete blocks and the prepa-
ration and reception of stone and other material used
in the foundations of the forts, and to facilitate
shipment he has constructed a pier with a steam
crane. From this brief description it will be seen
that the work has been begun in earnest, and the
House of Commons, with the approval of the coun-
try, is so far c)mmitted to the plan that it is not
probable we shall hear any more talk about remov-
ing the dockyard and arsenal of Portsmouth to any
site which dreamy theorists or interested speculators
may urge to be more eligible.—Hampshire Tele•
graph.