The Sun.
London, England, 1862-02-20 00:00:00

THE NAVY.

In order to provide increased facilities at Chatham
Dockyard for constructing the iron and iron-plated
vessels now building, as well as those intended to
be built, at that naval establishment, the Lords of
the Admiralty have decided on expending a consi-
derable sum during the present year in the im-
provement and enlargement of the dockyard, in
addition to the large sum voted last year for the
formation of new docks and basins, and the erec-
tion of an additional factory and other buildings.
The principal works in connection with the en-
largement of the dockyard will be executed by
convicts. The second dock, in which the iron
steamer Achilles, 50, is under construction, will be
improved at a cost of about £3,500, which sum will
be expended in the construction of a new caisson at
the entrance, £l,OOO having already been voted for
this purpose, It is also intended to enlarge the
workships used by the mechanics and artisans em-
ployed on the Achilles, at an estimated cost of about
£l,OOO. Their lordships have also given directions
for the enlargement of the millwrights' yard and
premises so as to admit of a greater number of
hands being employed in connection with that de-
partment, should their services be suddenly re-
quired. The erection of a large workshop on the
space adjoining the slip on which the Royal Oak is
building, the works connected with which have
already been commenced by Messrs. Foord and
Sons, the contractors, will involve an outlay of up-
wards of £3,000, including the machinery required
in armour-plating the wooden ships. Directions
have also been given for erecting additional quar-
ters for the metropolitan force employed in the dock-
yard, at an estimated cost of £3,000. The total sum
which it is intended to expend during the present
year in the improvement of Chatham Dockyard,
exclusive of the large amount voted for that pur-
pose, is nearly £50,000, A considerable addi-
tion is to be made to the number of
mechanics employed on the Achilles, provision
having been made for employing 1,051 hand.
in s
on that vessel during the present year,
order that she may be completed the
shortest possible time. The sum taken in the esti-
mates for wages for the hired workmen engaged on
the iron ships this year is £74,310. Provision has
also been made for the entry of hired artificers and
labourers at Chatham and the other dockyards for a
period of four months, to be employed exclusively
on the repair of ships, the sum required for this
purpose being £30,000. In addition to the present
dock accommodation it is intended to construct five
new docks at Chatham, three of which will be of
500 ft in length, and two of 400 ft, and each capable
of receiving the largest vessels in the service. Three
large basins, communicating with each other, are
also intended to be formed at the eastern end of the
existing yard, the largest of which will have an
area of 30 acres, with a length of 2,000 ft and width
of 700 ft, the two remaining basins covering 22 acres
and 7 acres respectively. The depth of water in
each basin will be 30ft at neap tides. By far the
most important part of the intended improvements,
however, will be the embankment of the river to
prevent the filling up of the existing channel way.
This will be accomplished by convict labour, tlie
estimated cost of the work already contemplated
being £85,000, Which includes the cost of the coffer-
dams for executing the work within free from water.
basins,s
The river from the locks at the entrance to the
towards Sheerness, will be deepened to form
a channel 600 ft wide and 27ft deep at half-tides,
Which will give 31ft at neaps and 35ft at spring
tides. The sum to be expended in deepening the
river, according to the plan already decided upon, is
£45,000. As soon as the whole of the alterations
and improvements now in progress, as well as those
decided upon have been carried into effect, Chatham
dockyard will be the most commodious of our naval
establishments, while its protection from hostile
attacks will be amply secured by the powerful bat-
teries and fortifications now being erected in its

vicinity.
The Royal Alfred, under course of conversion
from a laid-down 90 gun ship, to a 50 gun iron--
plated frigate at Portsmouth, on Tuesday had her
outer sternpost placed in position. A large num-
ber of hands are employed upon this ship, and her
stern frame is being completed, now that the
authorities have decided upon the form of screw
well with which to fit the ship.
The following appointments were made yesterday
at the Admiralty:—Lieut. F. S. Clayton to the
Espoir ; Peter Butler, promoted to engineer super-
numerary in the Cumberland ; and W. W. Webber,
confirmed as ist class assuit.-engineer lathe Shannon.