The Sun.
London, England, 1854-11-21 00:00:00

THE BALTIC FLEET.

KIEL, HOLSTEIN, Nov. 15.—At this port the
winter season has set in at a period unusually early.
According to the statements of the residents, 25
years have elapsed since such severe weather has
occurred 'during the month of November. At the
head of the bay a considerable portion of ice has
formed. Should the wind continue in the north-
ward, the greater portion of the harbour will be
frozen over in a few days.
In the country districts the roads are covered
with snow ; every pool of water has been frozen to
such a thickness as to admit of skating with perfect
safety. During the past night it froze very bard
—the thermometer at 6 a.m. to-day was 24 dog.
of Fahrenheit in the open air ; even at noon, with
a light air from the southward, it only indicated 28
deg. The harbour to a great extent was covered
with ice, large masses of which drifted outside. If
the frost continues, the fleet must leave the inner
harbour very shortly.
At Copenhagen the intensity of the frost has
been much greater, and sleighs have been used to
traverse the streets. According to present arrange-
ments, the 21st inst. is fixed as the departure of
the fleet on their homeward voyage.
The Driver was at Copenhagen by the last ad-
vices. The Vulture is hourly looked for from the
cruising squadron in the Gulf of Finland.
Nov. 17, 10 a.m.—During the night of the 15th
inst., the date of my previous despatch, thg ice in
the harbour decreased considerably. The wind
shifted to E.S.E., and the thermometer at 7 a.m.
yesterday indicated a temperature of 2 degrees
above the freezing point:. The western shore of I
the bay was nevertheless a mass of ice, and no ap-
pearancesyyett takeno
the
merchants and
tradesmen,
place—an event
who are anxious for the fleet to remain
many iogflialytislaatwisfial acvtoer
many weeks longer, and who would be delighted
at their being frozen iu for the winter.
Information of the formation of the ice in the
harbour has been forwarded through the medium
of the electric telegraph to the Board of Admi-
ralty. The Commander-in-Chief expects to receive
orders by to-day's post for the fleet to depart for
England. The arrival of the mails has been delayed
much beyond the usual period, owing to the state
of the weather. tip© e e Have been, ng
therefore, without
letters from England for the last three days.
It is rumoured that the
squadron of steam-
frigates under the orders of
Captain Watson will
take up their winter quarters in Kiel Bay ; big I
am not disposed to place much reliance on the re-
port.

Some of the ships yesterday bent sai),g

merely

for the purpose of exercising the crews. To-day,
in accordance with the regular routine, they went
to general quarters by signal.
The Rosamond paddle steam-sloop, Commander
G. Wodehonse, came into harbour yesterday fore-
noon, with 150 head of live cattle for the fleet, pro-
cured at Elsinore.

The Amphion, 34, screw steam-frigate, Captain
A. C. Key, is still cruising off Memel, where,
during the past 10 days, she has encountered
boisterous weather.

The Vulture, Captain F. H. Glasse, expected
from the Gulf of Finland for the last two days, has
not yet arrived.

2 30 r.m.-1 strong breeze has sprung up which
has dispersed the ice to a considerable extent. The
thermometer has risen to 40 deg. Fahrenheit.
The fleet at anchor in Kiel harbour is composed
of the following ships :

Horse Ton-
Vessels. Guns. rower. Mcn. nape.
Duke of Wellington, flag of
Vice-Ad. Sir C. Napier,
Commander-in-Chief l3l 750 1,100 3,700
Edinburgh, flag of Rear-Ad
Chads 5B 650 600 1,772
Royal George, Capt. Cod-
rington
St. Jean d'Acre, Capt. the

lion. H. KenPel lOl GOO 900 3,200
Caesar, Capt. John Robb 9l. 400 80 2,761
Princess-Royal, Capt. Lord

C. Paget 91 400 850 3,129
-
James Watt, Capt. G. Elliot 91 600 F5l 2,613
Nile, Capt. G. R. Mundy 90 400 850
Cressy, Capt. R. L. Warren 80 400 750 2,537
NI jes tie, Capt. J. Hope, C. B. 80 400 7Z.0 2,589
Blenheim, Capt. tho Hon..
F. Pelham 6O 500 700 1,747
Hogue, Capt. W. Ramsay 6O 460 700 1,750
Bulldog (paddle), Capt. W
H. Hall 6 500 160 1,230
Rosamond (paddle), Com-
mander G. Wodehouse 6 280 ICO 1,059
Basilisk (paddle), Captain
Egerton 6 400 360 980

The following are blockading the enemy's ports
in the Gulf of Finland, die., under the orders of
Captain Watson

Horse

Ton•

Vessels. Guns. Power. Men. nage.
Imperious° (screw), Capt
Watson 5O 350 580 2,347
Euryalus (screw), Capt. G
Ramsay 5O 400 550 2,371.
Arrogant (scrow), Capt. Yel-
verton
Magicienno (paddle), Capt
Fisher
Desperate (screw), Captain
D'Eyn court
Cruiser (screw), Capt. Dou-
glas
Arche (screw), Captain E
Eleathcota ll 200 300 973