The Sun.
London, England, 1863-03-02 00:00:00

Naval and Military Intelligence.

THE NAVY.
Rear-Admiral the Hon. G. Grey left his late
official residence in Portsmouth Dockyard at 7 30

on Friday morning. The whole of the resident offi.

cers and others, with the various workmen em.

ployed in the yard, assembled, and formed a con,

inuous line from his residence to the east gate,

The officers and men of the metropolitan police off

duty, with their superintendent, Mr. Guy, formed
up opposite the police residence at Factory-gate.
The convict warders and civil guard also assembled
in front of the convict prison, and all joined iu

giving the Admiral a hearty cheer as he passed
through the yard. The following address had
been previously received by the gallant Admiral:—

" Portsmouth Dockyard, Feb. 27, 1863.
" To REAR-ADMIRAL THE HON. GEORGE GREY.
" Hon. Sir.—On retiring from your command as supe-
rintendent of this yard, we, the workmen, take this oppor-
tunity of expressing our deep appreciation of the kindness

we have at all times received at your hands. We feel assured

la you have on all occasions studied our comfort and con

venience, with a strict regard to the benefit of the service.
" The great advantages conferred upon us and the service

by the erection of the new and commoeions' dining-hall'
are such as to elicit our wannest expression of gratitude.
" In conclusion, we regret that the time of separation
has arrived, but it is our sincere wish and desire that you
may be long spared to:fill similar :important situations of
public trust.
" Signed on behalf of the workmen of all branches in the
yard."
Rear-Admiral Sir Robt. Smart's squadron sailed
from Spithead at 5 30 on Friday evening for the
Downs to await the arrival of her Royal Highness
the Princess Alexandra at the Nore. The fleet con-
sists of the flagship Revenge, 73, Captain C. Fel-
-1 lowes ; the Warrior, 40, iron-plated frigate, Capt.
i Hon. A. Cochrane; the Black Prince, 40, iron-

plated frigate, Capt. J. F. B. Wainwright; the
Defence, 18, Capt. A. Phillimore ; and the Resis-
tance, 16. Capt. W. C. Chamberlain. The fleet

left Spithead by the East Channel under steam
only, the Revenge leading. They will return to
Spithead by the 9th. The Emerald, 34, screw,Capt.
A. Cumming, sailed from Spithead yesterday to
join the squadron. It is stated that the squadron,
after escorting the Princess to England, will return
to Spithead, and on the day of the Royal marriage
be dressed out in coloured bunting, and at 1 p.m.
fire, in company with the ships in the harbour and
batteries on shore, a Royal salute. At 8 p.m. yards
will be manned, blue lights burnt at each yard arm,
and another Royal salute fired bythe whole squadron.
The Spiteful, 4, paddle, Commander C. F. W.
Wilson, arrived at Spithead from Bermuda with
naval stores and a few invalids and sailed again yes-
terday for Woolwich. She sailed from Bermuda on
the 6th February.
The Megmra, 6, steam troopship, Commander S.
H. Henderson, arrived at Spithead at 6 30 on Fri-
day evening from Guernsey, with the remainder of
the 2d battalion 18th Foot and a battery of the
Royal Artillery and women for Parkhurst and the
Royal Artillery for Woolwich.
The iron plated ship Royal Oak, 34, 800 horse
power, in dry dock at Chatham, is filling up with
her sea and other stores as fast as they can be put
on board. Sails were bent yesterday, and from the
energy which is being displayed by the swarm of
mechanics, shipwrights, joiners, and labourers who
crowded her decks there is no doubt that she will be
ready for undocking by the middle of this month—
the period anncueced in the House of Commons by
the Secretary of the Admiralty. It would, however,
be useless to conceal the fact that several weeks, if
not months, must yet elapse before the Royal Oak
can be anything like readp to be despatched on her
experimental cruise, as there is yet a vast amount
of work remaining to be executed on board before
she is in her sea trim. Under the eye of an experi-
enced:and energetic officer there is little doubt that
much greater progress would be made in the work
of fitting and completing the Royal Oak than is
possible under the existing dockyard regulations.
Capt. F. A. Campbell,
who has been appointed to
the command of the first of our iron cased squadron,
bears a deservedly high character in the service,
and is jest the officer to superintend everything re-
lating to the fitting out of such a vessel as the Royal
Oak. Unfortunately, however, although virtually
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seems uncertain when the Royal Oak will be corn.
missioned. The principal work remaining to be
completed on the upper or fighting deck is the con-
struction of the shot-proof turret, or reconnoitring
tower, to be used by the officer in charge of the
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