The Sun.
London, England, 1863-08-31 00:00:00

Naval and Military Intelligence.

THE NAVY.

The steamship Palekari, 1,116 tons burthen, Capt Peters,
went down to Woolwich on Saturday to ship 340 tons of
shot, powder, and other stores for Malta. The Palekari has
a private cargo of merchandize for Athens, Syria, and
Smyrna and is expected to sail from Woolwich on Tuesday.
The unfavourable report made recently by the dockyard
officials at Chatham of the condition of the iron paddle-wheel
frigate Recruit, 6, 150-horse power, Commander G. F.
Cottam, and the marked failure which took place on the
occasion of her recent trial trip, as reported in The Sun, has
induced the Admiralty to abandon their intention of de-
spatching her to the West Coast of Africa, an order having
been received at Chatham on Saturday, directing her to be
placed in the first division of the steam reserve, without any
Jf her bulkheads or other internal fittings being in any way
disturbed. From the time the Recruit passed into the hands
of the Admiralty from the erussian Government, for
whom she was built by Mr. Scott Russell, it was found that
her defective sea-going qualities, combined with her small
size, rendered her altogether unfit for anything but tho
lightest duties, and for several years she was employed ou
surveying duty in the Danube. Since then she underwent
a thorough refit and overhaul at Chatham, and was fur-
nished with new boilers. In addition to her ordinary sea
stores, guns, shot, &c., the weight of her engines, spare
gear, and boilers, with water, is just 160 tons, Bcwt., which
is an increase of 48 tons on the return made in 1855, an in-
crease of seven tons being on the boilers alone. This cir-
cumstance will account for the failure of the vessel on her

late trial.
The Clio, 22, screw steam corvette, 1,472 tons, 400-horse
power, Captain Thomas Miller, recently returned from the
Pacific station, was paid off in the basin of Sheerness dock-
yard on Saturday. Capt. C. Wise, A.D.C., the superin-
tendent of the docks, who conducted the operation,expressed
his approval of the discipline and order manifested by the
crew. The best possible good feeling has existed between
the officers and men during the whole commission ; indeed,
it is believed that were the pennant to be again hoisted,
the crew would remain in the ship almost to a man, and
many have signified their regret at leaving. Mr. hills, the
ship's caulker, and Mr. Yelland, boatswain-mate, have each
received a silver medal for long service, and a gratuity of
£l5 for exemplary conduct throughout the
,commission;
Mr. Fowkes, quartermaster, also has received the long ser-
vice medal, and a gratuity of £lO. The detachment of ma-
rines which belonged to the vessel were conveyed the same
day to headquarters at Chatham, by the Wildfire, tender to
the Formidable, flag-ship at Sheerness. On the previous
day the ship's machinery and engine-room were inspected.
Capt. W. K. Hall, commanding the Sheerness steam re-
am ve, and Mr. W. Rumble, inspector of machinery afloat,
complimented Capt. Miller and the chief engineer, Mr.
Owen, on the first-rate condition of the engines and general
cleanliness of the engine-room, which they observed could
not be surpassed. The Clio will be placed on the 3d division
of the Sheerness steam reserve.

Forty fitters and smiths belonging to the Royal gun fac-
tory in Woolwich Arsenal were on Saturday dismissed from

their employment, and a further reduction is announced.
The following appointments have been made at the
Admiralty :—Edwin Wiee, master, to the Cumberland, for
the Tamar; Arthur W. W. Babington, surgeon, to the
Hawke; Dr. W. Lockhart, assist.-surgeon, to Hasler
Hospital; Frederick L. W. Wright, assist.-surgeon, to the
Cumberland ; Cuthbert R. Rodham, assist.-paymaster, to
the Ma3ander ; George Nixon, master's assistant, to the
Euryalus ; William Anderson, chief engineer, to the Asia,
for the Odin, when the latter ship was paid off; T. H.
Dawkins, acting engineer, to the Asia, as supernumerary;
W. F. Tunes, engineer, to the Dauntless, for the Tender;
William B. Akaster, master additional, to the Cornwallis;
William H. Alland, master in command to the Medusa;
William Horn, second master, to the Medusa; F. K,
Fesenmeyer, assist.-paymaster, to the Cumberland; W.
G. N. Burney, assist.-paymaster in charge, to the Medusa;
George V. Hart, assist.-surgeon, to the Medusa; Richard
Harris, engineer, to the Medusa; Frederick Pugh, Wm.
M‘Naught, and George T. Strouach, assist.-engincers, to
the Medusa; and E. E. Richmond, clerk, to tke Hogue.