The Sun.
London, England, 1862-06-03 00:00:00

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JAPAIVES'V EMBASSY.

The Japanese ambassadors and suite, acslom4
pulled by Mr. Macdonald, yesterday paid a hurrjed
visit to Portsmouth Dockyard. The distinguished
party arrived at the Landport railway station by
early morning train from London. From the sta-
tion the Ambassadors proceeded to the dockyard,
and called upon Vice-Admiral Sir H. W. Bruce,
Naval Commander-in-Chief, at his residence e tho
Admiralty-house. Leaving the Admiralty-ha-05e,
accompanied by Flag-Lieutenant Suttie, the An -,
bassadors visited the Royal Sovereign, now con-,
verting to a shield ship on Capt. Coles's principle,
in which they appeared to take much interest,
taking copious notes, and spending some time in
looking over the vessel. The Black Prince, iron
frigate, was next visited, and a considerable stay
made on board, every part of the shil; being gone
through, and numberless queries put through the
interpreter to Mr. Tucker, the chief engineer ,of the
ship, and other officers who attended upon tlae
party in their visit round the ship. While the
Ambassadors were engaged in their inspection of
the frigate,
Rear-Admiral George Grey, the supet-
r tendent of the dockyard, who had been engaged
in
an official inspection afloat, arrived ou board, and
was introduced by Mr. Macdonald.
Captain R. S.
Hewlett, C. 8., of her Majesty's ship
Ex.,-.ellent, and
Capt. A. Powell, C.8.,0f her Majesty's ship.Defence,
were also introduced at the same time. The v,.'sit to
the Black Prince being concluded, the ship basin
and No 1 dock were visited, as was the ropery'
after which the party left the dockyard and
proceeded to Dent's George Hotel, Portsmouth, to
luncheon. The 53d Regiment furnished a guard of
honour, under the command of Major Hopkins, with
the band and colours of the regiment, the band
playing a selection of music during the time of their
stay at the hotel. Immediately after thecom Ambassa-
dors' arrival, Lord W. Paulet, C. 8., manding
the garrison and the south-west district, accompa-
nied by his staff, called officially and was introduced
to their excellencies by Mr. Macdonald. After
luncheon the party again proceeded to the dockyard.
in carriages from Dent's Hotel, and on arrival were
received by Rear-Admiral the Hon. G. Grey, and
conducted to the North-Wall landing-steps to em-
bark for her Majesty's ship Excellent. Previous to
embarking. however, their attention was called to
the hydraulic cranes recently erected on the north
wall of the steam basin, one of which hed been
tested. on Saturday, and had six tons of iron ballast
still attached to the chain. With the working of
this beautiful piece of machinery, and its prompt
and ready action in answer to the motion of the
lever, the whole party appeared delighted. On the
bed-plates being removed, exposing to view the
mechanism underneath, their interest was still more
excited, and one of the ambassadors observed that a
similar crane bad been shown to them in Liverpool
but its working and principle had not been so clearly-
explained to them. After concluding their inspec-
tion of the hydraulic crane, the ambassadorsfm-
barked in the Port Admiral's barge, the suiol
lowing in the flagship's boats, and went on board
• the Excellent gunnery ship, where they were re
ceived by Capt. R. S. Hewlett, C. 8., Commander
Herbert, the officers of the ship, and a guard of
honour of the Royal Marine Light infantry. After
inspecting the ship a portion of the crew were sent
to quarters, and practice was commenced at various
ranges with shot and shell with guns of various
calibres, both Armstrong and smooth bore. Thu
practice, as is always the case when this ship's
con-
bes
men are at the guns, was admirable. At the
clusion of their visit to the Excellent, the ambassa-
dors returned to the dockyard under a salute of 21
guns, and proceeded to the railway station, return-
ing to London by the 4 15 p.m. train.

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