The Sun.
London, England, 1863-09-21 00:00:00

The Channel Fleet at Liverpool.

Since the Channel fleet arrived at Liverpool on
Monday last there has been a continuous and gladly
reciprocated interchange of hospitalities and kind-

nesses between the authorities on shore and the
officers on board. Several entertainments have
taken place on hoard the ships, given by the cfficers
and participated in and warmly appreciated by the
inhabitants of the town. On their part, also, the
good feeling exhibited by the fleet has been re-
sponded to in a kindred spirit by the inhabitants
and the authorities. Oa Friday a muncipal banquet,
followed by a fancy dress ball on a munificent scale,
was given in the Town-hall in honour of the visit
by his worship the Mayor, Mr. R. C. Gardner. The
banquet was attended by about 60 gentlemen, in-
cluding Rear-Admiral Dzeres, Commander of the
squadron, and the chief officers connected with it.

The ball which followed was of a very brilliant
character,being attended by upwards of 1,200 ladies
and gentleman, among whom were the Right Hon.
the Earl of Sefton and party, Rear-Admiral Dacres,
and the principal cfficers of the Channel fleet, Capt.
Ingl(field, R.N., and a large attendance of the lead-
ing families of Liverpool and its vicinity. The affair
was in every respect most successful. On Saturday
Admiral Dacres and the officers of the fleet, in com-
pliance with an invitation from the Mersey Docks
and Harbour Board, made an inspection of the dock
works at Birkenhead, and also those on the Lanca-
shire side of the Mersey. At Birkenhead they made
an excursion over the great float, and inspected
the two large graving docks now in course of
construction, and nearly completed. These grav-
ing docks are respectively 750 ft. long by 100 ard
by 85ft. wide. While at Birkenhead the steamer
in which the party was embarked passed through
the Victoria Lock—the first vessel which had passed
—thus virtually and in fact opening the communi-
cation between the river and the large " inland
sea" which constitutes the great float at Birken-
head. The party then proceeded to the Liverpool
side, and, landing at the Canada Dock, witnessed
the opening and closing of the 100 ft. wide dock
gates there, which, through the agency of hydraulic
power, are opened and shut within oue minute and
a quarter. They then proceeded to inspect the San-
don Graving Docks, six in number, and each 450 ft.
long, wide enough, it may also be remarked, to re-
ceived such vessels as the Great Britain, which was
in one of them at the time. With all of these works,
and also with the mode of working them, Admiral
nacres and the other officers expressed themselves
as much pleased. While on the excursion—which
was performed almost entirely by water—the officers
and a distinguished party were entertained on board
the steamer Cheshire to a handsome luncheon. In
the evening the Admiral and officers were enter-
tained at dinner by the Earl of Derby a: Knowsley
Park. This evening the eflicers of the fleet will be
entertained at a sumptuous banquet given in the
Philharmonic Hall by the members of the Royal
Mersey Yacht Club. Toe banquet is to be on a
settle of great magnificence. In the evening there
is to be a bill in the Wellington-rooms, in honour
of the occasion, which is expected to be a very bril-
liant affair. To-morrow the crews of the different

ships belonging to the fleet, to the number of about
1,20, aro to be entertained in a substantial manner
in St. Grorge's Hall by the members of the Royal
Mersey Yacht Club, and other friends, in acknow-
ledgment, °tithe genera:ly meritorious and good con-
duct exhibited by the men While lying in the port
of Liverpool.
It is worthy of note that at the polico, court on
Saturday the magistrate remarked that no one of the
men belonging to the fleet had appeared in custody
at the policy-oflice on any charge, a fact, which he
stated reflected great credit on the general discip-
line maintained among the men, and also on the
good character they had thus shown themselves en-
titled to receive.
It is understood that the fleet will not sell from
the Mersey before Thursday, 4ad it may not be uu-