The Sun.
London, England, 1863-09-07 00:00:00

Cruise of the Royal Mail... Steamer Wolf.

Admiral Dacres and the officers of the Channel Squadron
were on Thursday entertained on board this magnificent
vessel by the Messrs, Burns, upon whose invitation a dis-
tinguished company had the pleasure of meeting the naval
officers. The Wolf left Greenock at ten o'clock, and
steamed down to her Majesty's ship Edgar, the flag ship of
the squadron, cff which she lay to to receive the admiral
and his officers, who came off from their various ships in
their respective boats. In addition to the admiral, every
captain and every commander in the squadron was pre•
sent, as well as a large representation from the civil and
junior officers; and it may be mentioned that the regularity
and order with which they embarked in the Wolf from their
own gigs and jolly boats presented a pleasing and animating j
scene.

On the admiral stepping on board the private signals of
the Wolf were lowered, and the flag of a Rear•• Admiral of
the White was run up at the fore; at the same moment
the white was substituted for the red ensign at the peak,
whilst the band of the 41st Regiment played "Rule Bri-
tannia" from the main deck of the Wolf. The ship then
hied away down channel on her cruise. Keeping close to the
south side till she reached Wemyss Bay, she struck across,
and after bending into Rothsay Bay, as far as to obtain
a view of the ancient burgh and seaport, her course was di-
rected towards the Kyles of Bute. through which the Wolf
passed, affording delight to all, but especially to the nume-
rous naval and other strangers on board, who often and
again expressed their admiration of the beauties of this
charming marine route. Emerging from the Kyles, the Wolf
steered over to the west coast of Arran, and proceeded so far
as to open the Sound of Kilbrannan, and at this point she
turned, sweeping in by Loch Ranza, doubling the Cock of
Arran, and then pushing into the open channel. Proceeding
upwards at full steam, she reached the Tail of the Bank
about half-past 4, and here the admiral and the officers were

received, and proceeded on board their own ships by means

. .
of their own boats, in the same manner in which they had
embarked. The cruise was a singularly pleasing one. Rain
occasionally threatened, but rain never fell. The Arran

Hills were seen under a shifting light of alternate cloud
and sunshine, and the serrated peaks of the mountains
receded from the sight, and again came hate view, as if seen
throught the kaleidoscope.
In all, between 200 and 330 ladies and gentlemen shared
in this gladso=e voyage, amongst whom were—Colonel
Goodwyn, C. 8., and the officers of the 41st Regiment,
General 111‘Dowall and Mrs. M'Dowall, of Garthland,
Cclonel Bayley, R.E., Major Barber, Mr. ' and Mrs.
Campbell, of Blythswood, and party, Mr. and Mrs. Burn-
ley, Colonel Campbell, Scots Fusilier Guards; Mr. and Mrs.
and Miss Graham, Mr. and Mrs. and Misses Crum, Mr. and
Mrs. and Misses Hamilton, of Hafton ; Rev. Dr. and Mrs.
Foley, the Right Hon. Joseph Napier, Mrs. Napier, and
party, Sir Michael Shaw Stewart, Bart., Mr. John Maciver.
Mr. and Mrs. Shaw Stewart, Sir Robert Arbuthnot, Bart.,
Lady Arbuthnot and Miss Arbuthnot, Mr. Trevor, Mr.
Edward James, Captain and Mrs. Campbell, of Ardpatrick,
Mr. Lamont, of Knockdow ; Mr. and Mrs. and Miss
Arbuthnot, of Mavisbank ; the Rev. W. M'Donald, Mr.
Buchanan, of Auchentorlie ; Mr. and Mrs. Bosanquet,
Captain Algerncn Lyons, R.N., Mr. and Lady Charlotte
Locker, Mr. and Mrs. Napier, of Merchiston ; Mr. and
Mrs. Dennistoun, Miss Dundas, Admiral Sir Rodney
Mundy, Lord Blantyre, and the Hon. Misses Stewart, Sir
Janes Stewart, Bart., Mr. Donaldson, 3d Light Dragoons ;
Mrs. Kirwan and party.

On the homeward trip the party sat down to a dejeuner
which was served in the main saloon, and was of the most
recherche kind. There were no toasts:of any description,
the ladies and gentlemen enjoying themselves with all the
absence of formality which marks a genial family party.
The Wolf was admitted to be no unworthy representative
of the mercantile marine of the country, when she lay
alongside of the iron and wooden walls of Old England.
The Messrs. Burns, who did everything on board to en-
hance the pleasure of the party, were, as we have said,
singularly fortunate in the weather; and perhaps on no
occasion since Lord Palmerston honoured the Wolf with
his company has there been a sight mere imposing and
animating than that presented when the boats of the
squadron came alongside with their respective officers, and
when the crews " tossed oars," and gave to the chiefs all
the honours of the navy.