The Sun.
London, England, 1862-01-17 00:00:00

THE NAVY.

While the Defence, 18, Capt. R. H. Powell, C. 8.,
was under steam on Wednesday, in the run from
Chatham harbour to Pally Point, her rate of steam-
ing wee exceedingly satisfactory, a speed of 13
knots an hour being attained with only two boilers
at work. From the trials already made to test her
steaming capabilities, it is"confidently believed she
will reach a speed of 18 to 20 knots an hour with

her full boiler power. As she will have to depend
a great deal on her sails she has been what is termed
bark-rigged, in order to spread the greatest possible
amount of canvass. Cunningham's patent self
reefing topsails, which have been manufactured at
the dockyard, were yesterday fixed on board. On
the occasion of her run from the harbour to Folly
Point her rudder was found not to work satis-

factorily, -the " yoke" was accordingly un-
shipped yesterday, and landed at the dockyard,
in order to have some alterations effected in it.
A much larger rudder yoke has been forged
at the smithery to take the place of that which
has been unshipped. The vessel is to be fitted
with Clifford's boat-lowering apparatus. Up to yes-
terday no date had been given for the departure of
the Defence from Chatham, and from the large
amount of work still requiring completion on board
it is doubtful whether she can leave her present
berth for at least ten days or a fortnight. It is
now understood that before proceeding on her
cruise, to test her sailing capabilities during the
equinoctial gales, she will be tried as a ram in run-
ning down a vessel selected for the experiment, in
order to enable the Admiralty to ascertain her
powers in this respect. The sister iron steamship
Resistance, now fitting in dock at Chatham, is being
pushed forward as rapidly as the resources of that
establishment will permit, and will probably be
completed in about six weeks or two months from
this date.

The Ccesar, 86, screw, Capt. Thomas H. Mason,
arrived at Spithead yesterday morning from Ply-
mouth and the Mediterranean. She is ordered into
Portsmouth harbour to dismantle and be put out of
commission.

The Warrior, 40, iron frigate, Capt. the Hon. A.
A. Cochrane, C. 8., arrived at Spithead yesterday
afternoon from off Osborne, where she has been
relieved by the Vigilant, 5, screw, Commander
J. W. Pike. The Warrior is ordered to embark
supernumeraries at Spithead for the Mediterranean
and West India stations, which she will convey to
Lisbon. On arrival there she will transfer those for
_

the North American and West India squadron to the
Edgar, 86,screw, flag of Rear-Admiral S. C. nacres,
C. 8., which sails immediately afterwards to join
Vice-Admiral Milne's squadron. The supernume-
raries for the Mediterranean will be transferred to
some other ship, and, according to present orders,

the Warrior will await further instructions at
Lisbon.

The Black Prince, 40, iron frigate, at Portsmouth,
has now 340 mechanics atd labourers employed
upon her, exclusive of hands from the factory de-
partment or in connection with engines of the ship.
This number of men is to be further increased on
Monday next by another division of shipwrights,
and probably of labourers, &c., in proportion. The
plan for the fitment and application of the hydraulic
apparatus for steering the ship is still before the
authorities, receiving their final consideration. It
is proposed to inclose the cylinder and pistons in a
box of 34 and 41- inch iron abaft the rudder head,
under the beams of the upper deck, and the appli-
cation of the power to be brought to bear upon the
rudder head by a right and left threaded screw,
similar to the one fitted on board the American
frigate Niagara. It is also proposed to supply the
Black Prince with a 90-horse power engine and
steam capstan for heaving up the anchor, raising
the screw, &c., and thus keep the hydraulic power
intact for steering purposes.

The hired screw steam transport Adelaide, Capt.
Lambert, bound with the 15th Regiment from Cork
for Halifax, which put back to Plymouth on Wed-
nesday, went yesterday (Thursday) from the Sound
into Hamoaze, where she she will discharge 25 tons
of ball cartridge and disembark her troops, in order
that she may be repaired.
The screw steamship Revenge, 89, Capt. Fellowes,
went on Wednesday from Hamoaze into Plymouth
Sound, and received her powder yesterday (Thurs-
day) morning.
The Osborne, paddlewheel steam-yacht, Master
Commander Bower, is receiving her boats and stores,
preparatory to proceeding to Osborne to embark
the luggage, &c., belonging to his Royal Highness
the Prince of Wales, after which she will leave for
Trieste to meet his Royal Highness, who is about to
make his intended tour, which was delayed in con-
sequence of the death of the Prince Consort.
The Britannia, naval cadet ship, Captain Harris,
will be taken into the ship basin to-day, and from,
thence into No. 2 dock, as soon as it is clear of the
Meteor, floating-battery, which is being broken up.
An American man-of-war screw-steamer, flying
the Federal flag, passed through Spithead on Thurs-
day afternoon, and anchored off Osborne. Shortly
after the Pigmy, paddle-wheel steam-tender, Master
Commander Johnstone, went out of harbour and
proceeeded with instructions from the pert-admiral
that the steamer should remove from that anchorage
either to Cowes or Spithead, so that the retirement
of her Majesty might not in any way be likely to
be disturbed.

The Calypso, 18, sailing-vessel, Captain F. B.
Montresor, which has latelfreturned to England
from the Pacific, where she has been stationed
about four years, is now being rapidly dismantled
at Chatham, and her rigging and other stores
returned to the dockyard. The Mary, victualling
lighter, has been alongside the vessel, taking in
the remainder of her provisions for conveyance to
the victualling yard at Deptford. Her water tanks
have also been taken out. So energetic have been
the proceedings of the officers and crew with regard
to the stripping of the Calypso, that although she
only entered the harbour on Sunday last, she is
already divested of nearly everything which it is
intended to take out of her. Her crew, numbering
about 180, including marines, will, according to
pthent arrangement, be paid off on Monday next.

Admiral Sir Edward Durnford King, K.C.11., ex-
pired on Tuesday evening, at his residence in Devon-
shire. This distinguished officer entered the navy in
1786, and first went afloat in 1789 on board the
Director, 64, Capt. T. West. By his gallantry in
the actions of the 29th of May and the Ist of June,
1794, he obtained promotion to the rank of lieuten-
ant, he having been midshipman on board the Bar-
fleur in Lord Howe's action. In 1795 he was ap-
pointed to the Dryad, 44, of which he became flag-
lieutenant under Lord A. Beauclerk, He assisted at
the capture, after a spirited action, of the French
frigate Proserpine, 42, and was promoted to the
rank of commander for his conduct on that occasion,
having been strongly recommended by his com-