The Sun.
London, England, 1863-09-01 00:00:00

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THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 1, 1863

Our Gunboats and Mortar Vessels.

Created to meet a sudden emergency
in the war
waged by England and France against Russia, the
last vessel of our gun and mortar boat fleets
might in the due course of time have passed
away with and into those convenient " waters
of oblivion" into which individuals and peoples
are so ever ready to consign their failures, their de-
feats, and their disappointments, had their history
hitherto been " written in sand." It could not be
so, however, under the circumstances of their his-
tory subsequent to their creation. The paean sung
over the inauguration of this miniature fleet of hor-
nets cannot readily be forgotten. This flotilla of
gun and mortar craft were termed " the best legacy
of the Russian war, the only solid advantage that
remained to us after all our experiments. We had
not only learnt that a maritime Power requires
other vessels besides line-of-battle ships, but we had
actually got a strong fleet of these vessels ready
built for any future emergency. There they were
all hauled up safe and sound, all paid for, and fit to
be launched at an hour's notice in strength suffi-
cient to sweep the Channel of an enemy." But this
precious flotilla, —this real naval reserve—this
squadron on which so much money had been spent,
was found rotten and good for nothing, and the
boats were only fit to break up or crumble to dust
where they lay. They were not broken up, and
they were delayed at an immense expense in fall-
ing literally to pieces. Two certainly, the Caroline
and the Mackerel, were .eventnalLy.fteaudensmod-saad
taken to pieces, but even now fragments of their
poor rotten skeletons may be met with in obscure
corners of the Hasler Yard, each fragment forming
part of a tale of fraudulent copper bolt fastenings
and sappy timbers. Others of the gunboats had as
much as /1,000 and £1,500 each spent upon them ;
some, it is said, still more, and others less ; but the
one professed object aimed at war to render this
rotten and useless fleet available for some purpose.
The exposure of our folly had made as to a certain
extent ashamed of ourselves, and we were glad to
hide the cause from sight as quickly as possible.
All visible defects were made good, and each
vessel the partial repairs of which only were thus
" made good" at an enormous expense had
her planking carefully caulked, her bottom payed
over with an honest coat of tar and with an " air
stroke" of planking left out (too near the top sides
to be of any service). The gunboat squadron stood
under their sheds at Haslar, looking, to all outward
sign, bright, sound, and fit for anything. At this
time the fact was the boats were only partially re-
paired, English elm had been introduced alongside
partially decayed plank and framing, and the whole
closed in, airtight from keel to " air stroke," and
now all again are rotten,

The recent annual inspection of the naval estab-
lishments at Portsmouth is, however, likely to cause
the curtain to descend upon the last act of the gun
and mortar boat comedy. In anticipation of their
lordships' annual visit to the yard at Hasler a re-
port of the condition of the boats stored under the
sheds was prepared, which !ed to further investiga-
tions being made, and the result is that this too
famous yard at Haslar is to be degraded from its
hitherto maintained position, and to descend from
its high-sounding title of " gunboat yard and slip-
way," to " a yard for building and repairing ships'
boats and repairing gunboats ;" the latter, we should
presume, means so long as wooden gunboats are
still supposed to be of use.
The gunboats now on the blocks under Haslar
sheds are 47 in number (exclusive of six building),
and their destiny in the immediate future has been
assigned as follows ;
Condemned to be broken up—The Tiny, 20 horse
power ; the Midge, 20 ; the Flirt, 20 ; the Ready,
40; the Pincher, 60; the Swinger, 60; the Thrush,
40; the Badger, 60; the Beaver, 60; the Beacon,
60 ; the Traveller, 60 ; the Savage, 60; the Por-
poise, 60; the Pert, 20; the Grinder, 60; the
Brazen, 60; the Bullfinch, 60.

To be surveyed further, for sale or breaking up:—
The Wolf, 60 horse power; the Crocus, 60; the
Camel, 60 ; the Garland, 20 ; the Garnet, 40 ; the
Primrose, 60; the Prompt, 60; the Pickle, 60; the
Gnat, 20; the Redbreast, 60; the Parthian, 60; the
Blossom, 20; the Confounder, 60; the Gadfly, 20;
the Rocket, 60.

For repairs, to be added to, or rather, to form the
reserve ; —The Brave, 60 horse. power ; the Peacock,
60; the Cherokee, 60; the Wave, 6U; the Swan,
60; the Whiting, 60; the Fenella, 40; the Hunter,
40 ; the Skylark, 60.

To be fitted for coal depots :—The Pet, 20 horse-
power; the Snapper, 60.

This list only includes the Hasler gunboats, but
in addition to these there are some 110 others of the
same class of vessel afloat in our home ports and on
foreign stations, all of which must be looked upon
by the lights of our present experience as possessing
a still more favourable average of condition than
even those quoted above as in the " Hasler" list.
With regard to the original construction of these
vessels, while it is admitted that the contractors
were compelled to turn them out of hand in a very
hurried manner, owing to the nation's requirements
at the time, and to build portions of them with un-
seasoned timber, owing to the impossibility of
obtaining seasoned wood, there is at the present
moment a vessel under repair in Hasler Yard which
from having been originally constructed with sea-
soned timber, affords a remarkable contrast in her
condition to the exotic gunboats which have cost the
nation such immense sums of money, but the days of
which we may now reasonably hope are numbered.
The
vesselstihme
timbers,
wassd alluded to is simply an open dockyard
ok.
lighterr daily employed in doing all kinds of rough
w
which
hie launchednow69 form
frago,am andebe
below
the water line, are as sound and hard as on the dayr
original
of her launching.
So much for the Hasler gunboats, their rotten and
fungus-covered hulls, their short copper bolts,
their partial repairs, their subsequent rot on the
blocks high and dry under the sheds, their last
surveyfrnanindo, f , condemnation in the present year of
1863, and the necessarily proposed significant trans-
formation
gtuhnebodaetsiyganradt,iosnhedosf, Hasler establish-
mentipslaahrway,„ t 0
the more modest one of " boat building and repair-
ing yard."

The mortar vessels at Haslar have not attracted
the same amount of public attention, from the fact
of their being fewer in number, and therefore more
unimportant than the gunboats, and also from their
having been left in a comparatively undisturbed
state. There are 19 mortar craft now on the blocks
at Haslar—nine of iron and ten of wooden con-
struction. The iron ones are being converted as
they are wanted into open lighters for dockyard
use, and the larger bodied wooden craft are being
handed over to the Coastguard as they require ves-
sels for stations in the different rivers and creeks
around the coasts—the very best purpose to which
both classes of vessels can now be applied, although
both would have done good service doubtless be-
yond what they effected at Sweaborg, had the war
with Russia fortunately or unfortunately lasted a
twelvemonth longer.

The Hasler gunboat history will also, like every
other part of our naval administration, illustrate in
the most forcible manner our present system of
dockyard departments. The head of the " wood"
department is perfectly aware that the hulls of the
useless craft which he is patching up and passing
off as sound vessels to order, are rotten to the core,
and are but a horrible sham. The head of the
meta
(officially,ldepartment ando therefore on
tthheeothree he
otherhand,
must
can know
nothing be
igno-
rant) of a wooden vessel's hull being hopelessly
rotten, and therefore displays an unwonted de-
gree of activity in " bringing forward" her en-
gines, not giving, as would be the case in
any private establishment, any thought or care
about the expense, but showing how smart his de-

partment can be in producing what will never be
wanted, for, as with the poor gunboats, by the time
the metalwork is completed the woodwork is con-
demned, the hull is broken up, 'and the metalwork
goes no one cares to inquire where. As to the future,
there is hope, for it is impossible to believe but that
with such indefatigable workers as the present First
Lord, the Controller of the Navy, and the newly-
appointed Chief Controller, a new era must be inau-
gurated, and the ruinous system which has prevailed
for such a length of time in our national dockyards
be superseded at length by one befitting the large
interest at stake and the dignity of the nation.

Naval and Military Intelligence.

THE NAVY.

The Snipe, 5, screw steam gun vessel, 431 tons,
80-horse power, Commander A. H. W. Battiscombe,
underwent her final trial of machinery at the mea-
sured mile off Maplin Sands, on Thursday last, in
charge of Capt. W. K. Hall, commanding the Sheer-
ness steam reserve. The trial was pronounced
highly satisfactory, the vessel's speed being 8.440
kncts an hour, about a quarter of a knot greater
than
,that of her sister ship the Jaseur: She
anchored at the Little Nero after her trial, where
she was inspected the next day by Vice-Admiral Sir
G. R. Lambert, K.C.8., Commander-in-Chief at
Sheerness, and staff. The Snipe sailed on Satur-
day morning for Plymouth, en route to her destina-
tion, the West Coast of Africa.
• A eattrmitiil ofsitiilt Capt. J. Fal ford, of the
Formidable, was the president, assembled yesterday
on board the Formidable, 84, flagship of Vice-Ad-
miral of the Red, Sir G. R. Lambert, K.C.8., Com-
mander-in-Chief at the Nore, for the trial of John
Oast, private Royal Marines, serving on board the
Wellesley, 72, in Chatham Harbour, on a charge of
having, on the quarterdeck of the Wellesley, be-
this ship." He was I shall not
be-
haved in a highly insubordinate manner. He made
"
douse
anothermutinousofday's
y,slanguage by saying
soldiering in
conducted
further
below,
set hr
ua
cr chargedc
oi tuhr
-having ,nwt hci
hl ea
rbeingCharles
s
Jeffrey, his
superior officer in charge of the detachment of Royal
Marines serving on board the ship. Commander R.
Studdert, of the WellecosffilfecEyi,asstp:ridio,sly,
jitgeulddit,g,eaa_nnAdddAMvronrc.aotlode,.,
casem
for the prosecution. The
andsHo I. i
ciKnight,thenrsicitooefedh et
sht fiee rr
prisoner on being arraigned confessed himself guilty
of both charges, and threw himself on the mercy of
his judges. The Court, after deliberating for a short
time, sentenced the prisoner to receive 48 lashes on
board the Wellesley at such time as the Commander-
in-Chief shall direct, and afterwards to be dismissed
with disgrace from her Majesty's service.

MAGAZINE DAY.

BLACKWOOD.—" Caxtoniana," this month, con-
tinues the question of" On Some authors, inwhose
writings knowledge of the world is eminently dis-
played." It will be interesting to many to peruse
the remarks on the creation in England of the
" Novel of Manners." Richardson, Fielding,
Smollett, and Sterne are duly considered. Sheridan is
also met with in these varied and vivacious pages. It is
truly said that the " School for Scandal" is the finest prose
comedy in the English, or perhaps any other language.
The remarks on this gifted man are very appropriate. The
" School for Scandal," it is said, does not borrow its plot
from previous writers. Sir Walter Scott is met with,
" Knowledge of the world never forsakes Sir Walter Scott,
and in him it is always idealised up to the point of dramatic
narrative, and no further." It would be difficult to find a
truer description of all great novelists than this. " The
Spectre of Milaggio" is a very interesting sketch of adven-
tures abroad. It is written in a simple style, and yet fur-
nishes sufficiently perilous anecdote to form the ground-
work of an old romance. The denouement is very
ingeniously contrived, and the ghost does good service to
the affrighted party attacked by ruffians. " Jean Paul
Richter" is an article to attract the studious world. It is
stated that the translation of " Titan" has recalled to mind
the life and writings of this man, whose name is still one of
interest and perplexity to English readers. In England it is
mentioned, accurately enough, such a writer would never
have been popular. Here is a humorist whose sentences
are like Chinese puzzles, whose meaning is as hard to
penetrate as the driest chapter in Locke or Cudworth.
Titan, long called the masterpiece of Richter, has at
last found an English translator. The life of
Richter is alluded to, and the comments there-
on will be found very Automating. It is curious
to note the account given of the mode of teaching followed
by Richter's father, here aptly styled repressive education,
The mind of this youth could not, however, be repressed
by any means—he educated himself by all the chance read-
ing that came in his way ; and ever toiling, struggling on,
he attained at last to some measure of that success which
had been the day-dream of his youth. " Chronicles of
Carlingford The Perpetual Curate," are not very
eventful in this instalment. Miss Leonora seems to be
gaining wisdom, from her experience and survey of
things. Miss Dora is rendering herself as ridiculous as
an amiable simple-minded lady can, and rumour with her
'eundred tongues is rife with mischief, spreading every-
where the news of Mr. Wentworth escorting back at
nightfall pretty little Rosa Elsworthy. The Curate of St.
Rcque's has departed at a perilous time for the safety of
his citadel—its security is menaced on all sides, by covert
slander and open assault. There are some contemplative
lines on the subject of " Hearing Weekday Service in
Westminster Abbey." " The Pyramids, who built them
and when," is an elaborate paper, which describes the pros
and cons of the extraordinary deductions which modern
discoverers have made. Considerable research has been
made by the writer of this treatise to thew the fallacy and
folly of the " Egyptologists," and it is to be hoped that
the sense and judgment evidenced herein will convince
many who are liable to be led astray by their summary
conclusions and audacious conjectures. " The Battle of
Gettysburg, and the Campaign in Pennsylvania," is an
extract from the diary of an English officer present with
the Confederate army. It will be found very interesting
to peruse, and furnishes a concise account of some exciting
incidents. • The writer expresses his conviction of the vita-
lity of the South, and evidently is hopeful as regards their
final triumph.

DUBLIN UNIVERSITY.—" Wylder's Hand" is
continued. This story is a very exciting one ; there
are not so many attractive characters as in its pre-
decessor, " The House by the Churchyard," but it
is sketched in a masterly manner, and presents
some very striking pictures of life to our notice.
Mark Wylder has got into great difficulties in this instal-
ment, and ends by ignominiously retreating to Boulogne,
and putting off his marriage suit with Miss Brandon sine
die. Rachel Lake is enveloped in some dark mystery
which seems to have obliterated all brightness from her
path. Her brother is pursuing his unworthy course, and
laying snares for many with his artful dodges. "Old
Tamar" is a well-drawn character ; the old woman seems
quite weird-like in her strange demeanour and fitful
actions. The story of " Bella Donna ; or, the Cross before
the Name," is continued briefly. " Jenny" is:playing at
her game with great success, and is now promoted to the
important post of secretary. The dying woman sees
through her manosuvre, and with the prescience that the
coming end often imparts to weak and rapid characters,
she combats the endeavours of the crafty girl to the utmost
of her power. " Notes on Eloquence and Oratory" is a
readable paper on an interesting subject. It is said that " a
peculiar temperament is essential to the orator, and depth,
and fire of nature—an inner power of at once awakening
and contracting emotion, a capacity for being mightily
moved, in order to move mightily." There are some im-
pressive lines called the " College Gate." They refer to
the statue of Goldsmith placed over the gate through which
he once slunk out last on the list of examined. The con-
cluding verses are spirited and sad in their truth to life :
Now, as ye enter that College gate,
Lift up your eyes and you'll see,
Towering over your heads, a bronze,
In its proud serenity.
Yes I the strains from that wretched flute
To the ends of the earth have sped :
Though " Noll" was a drudge so long as he lived,
He's deified, now that he's dead,
And what is this world ?--the College gate,
Through which genius may slink with shame :
The list is the ledger of life's success,
And the statue is posthumous fame.
"Glimpses of Caesarean Rome" is a striking sketch of some
past scenes of magnificence. "An old Pageant," " The
City," and "Beyond the Tiber," are reproductions of some
of those important events which have been immortalised in
the pages of history. " Glimpses of Crusading Days" is a
romantic account in verse of a knight's departure for
Palestine, and his satisfactory return from thence. " The
Grand Four" recapitulates the ceremonies that the earlier
generation went through in perfecting themselves for
society. Mrs. Fitzheniy informs us concerning an Irish
actress of the last century. It is well worthy of perusal,
and the many struggles of this lady render her an especial
object of attention. " The Art of Wrestling" takes a
glance at the old-fashioned matches of past days. " A
Couple of Indian Recollections" recount some hair-breadth
escapes that were made by the narrator. "Songs of Ulster in
Many Moods" present a considerable variety to our notice.
The best is "All Wears Away." "The Ghosts of the
Day" treats of various events of a singular nature. It is
said that " Scepticism is the attitude of a great number of
its intellects, and scepticism and superstition invariably go
hand in hand." " Cymric Studies in relation to English
History and Literature" contains some useful hints on the
subject to students. It is said in conclusion that if we do
not bestir ourselves, the Germans will have done the work
for us, and we shall be distanced to the lasting disgrace of
the country, ig What is Pisciculture" is a dissertation 011
fish. It concludes the long list of contents here met with,
and affords some useful information.

FRASER.—The lover of light literature, if any
such turn over the stately pages of Regina, will
probably pass quickly by the opening article which
bears the alarming heading of " A Plea for the Free
Discussion of Theological Difficulties." Without
entering upon a question of such indefinite extent,
we may observe that it is the work apparently of a thought-
ful and conscientious man, who is by no means rationalistic
or radical in his principles. The story of " Late Laurels"
is continued, and verifies the old proverb—" Marry in
haste and repent at leisure." Under the companionship
of the ill-assorted young couple, even Italy loses its
romance, and the honeymoon its fascinations. Little pity
need, however, be wasted on such frivolous and selfish
mortals, who appear to have left their romance at home
with their deserted relatives. " A Manchester Man." who
has before now appeared in these pages as a contributor,
giving sensible opinions on men and things, gives us a
paper on a subject which is painfully prominent with all
Manchester men just now—the cloud over our Lanca-
shire mills and homes. This tribute to the
outburst of general sympathy which met the ter-
rible crisis is warmly and feelingly paid :—"
man and merchant, clergyman and layman, trades-
man and operative, joined hand in hand," he says' co,
ener'lh,to our succour those that were stranded on the bare rocks of
The echoes of sympathy were awoke not
only
reached
palace, mansion, and cottage of the land, but thferyom
want."
nanobthlee-
lands
us from the far East and the far West—
Canada,
which are to us literally the very ends of th
Australia, India, New Zealand, all contributed
bye Earl
no such claim—from shores and islands so
as-
sistance, while help came from peoples upondiwsthaonmt
andwe hobad.
scure that we had scarcely heard of
efforts
as emerging
into the light of civilisation. The
Tm de by the
of Derby, in behalf of the sufferers the
most eminent member of the old c,o,ulntatrlyse
pnslpoeboakisealtunyt,,o,tf,hhere-
marks,waiter in terms of
nhoibglhemparnaisoeihis high rank and station
" to see a
taking the petition ho has done in this crisis. From the
commencement of this distress ha has manifested a watchful
interest in devising the best plans for its relief, and he has
thereby won the good opinion of both rich and poor." A
paper on "The Periodical Press of the United States of
America" is more frank than flattering to Northern editors.
Ia the American Republic," says the writer, "who-
ever has a new ism to propagate—a new theory
to advocate—a new candidate for office to elect—