The Sun.
London, England, 1854-03-18 00:00:00

THE NORTH SEA FLEET.

The most active exertions are being made to get all
the ships at the ports completed in their fitting and man-
ning, in order that they may be despatched to swell Sir
C. Napier's formidable fleet.
A rare and splendid treat was afforded the people at
Dover, Deal, Ramsgate, and other coast ports. In broad
daylight was seen the beautiful and powerful three-
decker Neptune, 120, Captain Hutton, with the flag of
Rear-Admiral Corry, beating up the Channel against a
strong north-easter to her anchorage in the Downs. The
way in which the ship was worked up " the Narrows"
was the admiration of every one, as tack after tack she
neared her place of rest.
It was evident to the most unprofessional observer that
a master-hand was in command, and that a master crew
was at the work, as the giant ship when put about flew
instantaneously round, and ran dead into the wind's eye.
We have heard and said a great deal about the ex-Prince
Regent's, now the crew of the Neptune ; but from actual
experience we can now repeat that a more efficient body
of men never handled a man-of-war, and we doubt not
that, if all our fleet are as well manned, each ship would
be a good match for any two Russian line-of-battle ships.
The Neptune yesterday seemed like a toy in their hands ;
and whilst British seamen can acquire such skill and effi-
ciency in making these three-deckers their mere play-
things, we have no fear for our naval supremacy.

PORTSMOUTH, MARCU 17.

Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Cochrane, K.C.8., Com-
mander-in-Chief, re-hoisted his flag on board the Vic-
tory, on Thursday evening, and Rear-Admiral Bruce
struck his flag on board the Penelope this morning.
The Desperate, 8, screw-sloop, Captain Chambers,
arrived at Spithead this morning from Plymouth, en
route to the Baltic. _ _

The Frolic, 16, Commander Nolloth, sailed from Spit-
head this evening for the Mediterranean.
The Penelope, 18, paddle steam-frigate, steamed into
harbour this afternoon from Spithead, and went direct
into the factory basin to have her defects made good
with all despatch for further service.
The Sprightly, steam-tender, Master-Commander
Allen, sailed this evening with supernumeraries for Ply-
mouth.

The Cuckoo, paddle steam-vessel, arrived in harbour
this morning from the eastward with supernumeraries,
and left again in the evening, on her return.
The Sealark, naval apprentices brig, Lieutenant-
Commander Fenwick, arrived last evening from the
westward, and came into harbour to-day.
The Gorgon, 6, paddle-sloop, Commander Cumming,
undocked this afternoon, and hauled off in the stream, to
swing compasses.
The Odin, 16, paddle frigate, hauled out of the factory
basin this afternoon, to complete. coals from the Dock-
yard. I hear she is to sail to-morrow, but do not think
it true.
The llccla has been commissioned to-day by Captain
Hall.

PLYMOUTH, MARCH 17.

The Desperate, 8, Captain W. W. Chambers, got up
steam last evening, and sailed at 811. 30min. Men
were employed all the previous night coaling her.
The Belleisle, Commander Hosken, was taken out of
dock this morning, and hauled alongside the sheer hulk
to be masted. .

The Swift, 8, was taken into dock this morning.
The riggers of the dockyard are now actively employed
rigging the Algiers, 90. She will be ready in about a
month fora trial trip.
Captain Sheringham arrived at this port on Wednes-
day, and is now busily engaged enrolling men for coast
volunteers. He addresses the seafaring men in this
district this evening at the Exchange.

WOOLWICH, Magog 17.

The Melampus steam-frigate was towed from Wool-
wich to Dept'ord to-day, to deliver over a large portion
of the stores she brought round from the westward, and
she will return to Woolwich to take on board a quantity
of machinery and several boilers, for conveyance to the
westward.

The Hannibal, 91, screw steam-ship, is progressing
fast in the fitting of her machinery, and the workmen of
the factory are working over hours daily, always to 9
o'clock p.m., and often until 11 o'clock p.m., and she
will be out of the hands of the engineer department by
the 20th of May.
The Hope, hired transport steam-vessel, had men em-
ployed in coaling her during the whole of last night, as
well as during the day, in order to get her ready for sea
with the least possible delay, as she'is intended to take
out the commissariat officers and stores ; the former
being under orders to hold themselves in readiness to em-
bark for Malta on Monday next.

Eleven privates of the Chatham division of Royal
Marines, and .13 privates of the Woolwich division, in
charge of a non-commissioned officer, left the dockyard
station of the North Kent Railway to-day, en route to
Portsmouth, having volunteered for service in the Ar-
tillery companies.
APPOINTMENTS.

Surgeons—Hugh Jameson (1830), from the St. Vin-
cent at Portsmouth, to Melville Hospital ; James
Browne, M.D. (1833), to the St. Vincent guardship of
ordinary, at Portsmouth, vice Jameson.
Paymaster—Francis W. Cole (1853), to the Hecla,
paddlewheel steam-sloop, for service with the Baltic
fleet.

Clerk—Henry H. Chimmo (1840), to the Impreg-
nable flag-ship at Devonport.
Clerks Assistants—John L. Page, to the Czsar, 91,
screw steam-ship at Portsmouth ; John B. Adam, to
the Duke of Wellington, 131, screw, steam-flag-ship of
Vice-Admiral Sir Charle-4 Napier, K. 0.8., Commander-
in-Chief of the Baltic fleet.

THE ARMY.
•
General Brown, who is to command a division of the
expeditionary force, starts for the East, via Marseilles,
on the 24th inst.

Captain Gubbins, 85th Regiment, has been appointed
aide-de-camp to Sir De Lacy Evans.
. The following is an authentic statement of the regi
ments ordered on active service":—Regiments that have
embarked : 3d battallion Grenadier Guards, Ist Cold-
steams, Ist Scots Fusiliers ; 4th, 28th, 33d, 50th, 77th,
93d, and 2d battalion Rifle brigade. Regiments about
to. embark : 23d, 7th; 95th„.88th, 19th, Ist Royals,
38*, 79th, 42d. Regiments in the Mediteivansan that
are to be moved eastwards : 30th, 44th, 55th, 41st,
47th, 49th; the depots of these corps are ordered to