The Sun.
London, England, 1854-12-04 00:00:00

NAVAL AND MILITARY INTELLIGINCE.

The Neptune, 120, Captain Hutton, flag of Rear-
Admiral Plumridge, will leave Spithead on Wednesday
(attended by the stearrarigate Leopard) for Queenstown,
to embark 32 officers and 670 of the 72d Regiment
(Duke of Albany's Own Highlanders) for the Crimea.
Rear-Admiral Plumridge will strike his flag prior to the
sailing of the Neptune, and will have further leave of
absence granted him.
The screw steamship Princess Royal, 91, Capt. Lord
C. Paget, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Michael
Seymour, and the St. Jean d'Acre, 101, Captain the
Hon. H. Keppel, are hourly expected at Plymouth to
be docked and refitted.
The Orion, screw, 90, is still under the sheers at
Sheerness ; her boilers are being bedded, &c. Messrs.
Penn and Sons' men and engineers are working at her.
Her mainmast is stepped, and foremast and mizenmast
already in the basin. To-day, if the caisson is opened
for the Melampus, they will be towed alongside and
hoisted in. Her rigging, &c., is at Chatham, where she
will proceed to fit out for immediate service. Most
probably next spring tides she will be towed up there.
The Monarch, 84, Captain Lyster, sailed from Spit-
head on Saturday evening for Devonport, to be fitted as
flagship on the Pacific station.
The Ajax, 6A, screw block ship, Captain Warden, on
the water being pumped out of her dock at Portsmouth,
discovered the ugly thumps she has been subject to
from the "Domarsund granite," which must have been
particularly ragged and sharp ; her false keel is cut clean
through in several places, and will require new through-
out ; it is only a wonder how her propeller could act
with such a concussion immediately under the frame-
work, which was enough to drive the whole out of gear;
her copper is otherwise sound and in good condition.
Pylades, screw, 21 guns, is in No. 1 dry deck,
Sheerness, her bottom is being cleared preparatory to
coppering. Many artisans are working at her, and she
is to be brought forward with all possible despatch.
Leopard, 18, paddle, Captain Giffard, is painting out-
side, and looking particularly smart. She will be ready
for service the middle of next week, but will not accom-
pany the Monarch, as stated in a London journal of Sa-
turday, and which, no doubt, all the little " country
papers" will serve them right by copying.
The Admiral's order for the Horatio to proceed to the
east coast of England has been countermanded. She
will be permanently stationed at Sheerness as a steam
school-ship for volunteers and apprentices.
The departure of the screw steam-sloop Brisk, Coin-
maader Curtis, from Plymouth, for Rio Janeiro and the
Pacific, has been countermanded until further orders.
The steam-tender Avon, Second-Master Veitch, sailed
on Saturday from Plymouth for Falmouth, with newly-
entered men for the Calcutta, 84,
The following appointments have been made :
Captain Thomas R. Sulivan (1847), to command the
Simoom, 18, iron screw steam troopship.
Commander John Borlase (1849), to command the
Melampus, 42, frigate.
Assistant-Surgeon John Hudson (1853), from the Vic-
tory flag-ship at Portsmouth, to the Waterloo, 120, flag-
ship at Sheerness.

SAILING OF THE NORMAN-THE WOODEN

HUTS.

The first shipment of wooden huts to provide for the
comfort of our soldiers in the East during their winter
campaign in the Crimea was made from Southampton
yesterday (Sunday), the screw-steamer Norman,*belong-
ing to the Union Screw Collier Company, having sailed
from the Southampton Docks at noon for Balaklava,
touching at Constantinople. The Norman takes out 100
of these habitations, each capable of accommodating 20
men. The screw-steamer Metropolitan is loading with
a further quantity, and has on board a quantity of shot,
warm clothing, and other necessaries for the army. The
loading of the screw-steamers Hetton and John Bowes
with materials ready prepared for the construction of
wooden houses has also commenced.

SHEERNESS DOCKYARD.
The greatest possible activity prevails throughout the
whole of this dockyard. A portion of the victualling
department is now being fitted for a sailors' barracks.
Mr. Josiah Hall, of Queenboreugh, has the contract,
and is fitting up shelves, tables, &c., for their accommo-
dation ; the gas-pipes are nearly all laid down, and the
boiler factory progresses fast, both ends being nearly
completed, with the iron pillars ranging along the con
tre, &c.
The Melampus, steamer (formerly a frigate mounting
40 guns, but latterly employed carrying stores from one
port to another), is lying abreast of basin. She was to
have been docked on Saturday, but owing to the strong
N.W. winds prevailing it was found impracticable to
open the caisson to-day, however, wind and weather per-
mitting, she is to be docked. Orders having been re-
ceived to fit her out with all possible despatch for a
troop•ship her bottom will be overhauled, and she will
be fitted for that service.
The artillery under the command of Colonel Eng-
land, are daily exercised at the long gun, firing at a
target placed out at sea. We are sorry to report that
there are 9 cases of small-pox now in the hospital. Last
month two died of the same disease. A greater portion
of the present companies are young recruits.

THE MILITIA.
The East Suffolk Regiment of Artillery, under the
command of Colonel Shafto Adair, M.P., is ordered to
muster at Ipswich on the 14th inst. for permanent duty.
The South Middlesex Militia, Colonel Bagot, on duty
at Portsmouth dockyard, have given 200 volunteers to
the Rifles, Marines, and line ; the Lancashire has also
given upwards of 150 to the line and Guards ; the Essex
Rifles have furnished over 200, and the Wiltshire 158
volunteers to the line, and more daily join.
The Fourth Lancashire Militia, at the end of the 28
days' drill, will proceed to Edinburgh for permanent
duty.
The Oxfordshire Militia will assemble for permanent
duty on Wednesday at Oxford.
The South Lincolnshire Militia, which has for some
months been quartered in Chichester barracks, under
the command of Colonel Sibthorp, M.P., exhibit a great
desire to join the line, and no less than 150 of them have
volunteered during the past week.
Earl Fitzhardinge, Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire,
and Colonel of the Royal South Gloucestershire Militia,
has just received instructions to call up his regiment for
immediate service. The North Gloucestershire Regiment
is also to be called up.
The enlistment of men from the Militia regiments in
Portsmouth Garrison has been so successful as to mate-
rially thin the force requisite fer ordinary garrison duty.
The Regiment of Lancashire Militia. quartered at
Portsmouth, has contributed about 170 men to the
Marines, Guards, and other corps.
The Hampshire Regiment of Militia has given about
150 men to the Marines, Rifles, Guards, &c.
The Hampshire Militia Artillery is ordered to be
called out for permanent duty on the 7th inst., and will
occupy Haslar barracks, Gosport, which quarters will
be vacated by the South Middlesex Militia for others at
Portsmouth this day.

ARRIVALS OF SPECIE.—The specie arrivals of the week
have amounted to more than 750,0001., of which
420,0001. is silver. The exports are estimated at between
200,0001. and 300,0001.
TriE WEATHER IN THE BALTIC.—Narva, Nov. 23.
The river is covered with ice, and the navigation closed.
The bay is not yet closed.—Memel, Nov. 27.—T0-day
the weather is mild, with light westerly winds. From
the afternoon of the 25th to noon on t 6
he 2th November
a severe snow storm prevailed here, but no damage to
shipping is yet known.
A. NEI' SILES MINI.—Intelligence has been received
from Copiapo by the steamer Magdalena of an extraordi-
nary discovery alleged to have been made in the neigh-
bourhood of a place called Chanoccillo, one of the rich
silver districts in that part of Chili. Some poor wood-
cutters, it is said, were engaged in cutting and collecting
wood on the hills when the axe of one of them struck
something hard, and, as the substance had a softer sound
than a stone, he cleared away the rubbish to ascertain
what it was, and found a vein of nearly solid silver.
Along with his companions he continued the examiva-
tier', and ascertained that there were four veins all .dis•
tinct and large. The consequence was, that the city
was almost deserted, several thousand miners, rich and
poor, having congregated upon the spot ; and, as these
had already remained several days, no doubt was felt that
the value of the discovery had been confirmed. The
ocality is.about eight or nine leagues from one of the
tations of the Copiapo Railway.

Four companies of the Royal Artillery, Capt. Camp-
bell's company, sth battalion, Capt. Wragg's company,
6th battalion, Capt. Grayllon's_nqmpony, battakor
ind Capt. Oldfield's company, 4th battalion, left the gar-
rison atWoolwich during the same month., for the Crimea;
and the 2d company of Royal Sapper's and Miners from
Woolwich,under the command of Captain King, Royal
Engineers, proceeded for the saute destination.

On Saturday a large number of volunteers from regi-
ments and depot companies of line regiments on home
service, along with many volunteers from Militia regi-
ments, were inspected by the officers and medical staff
attached to the Heusehold Brigade and the recruiting
establishment at the head-quarters of the recruiting de-
partment in Duke•street, Westminster. During the last
week upwards of 70 volunteers from the Middlesex re-
giments of Militia have joined the several battalions of
the Guards, in addition to a very large number of volun-
teers from the Irish and Scotch Militia. The Guards,
when the last draught left for the Crimea on Friday
week,.were scarcely 200 strong, but they now number
above 1,100 bayonets, and a very large portion of the
recruits have nearly completed their drill while serving
in the Militia.

A number of volunteers from the various depots for
the 18th (Royal Irish), under orders for the Crimea, ar-
rived at the recruiting rendezvous, Delahay-street,
Westminster, and having been inspected were, without
a single exception, finally approved, and received the
♦olunteering bounty of one guinea. To show the feel-
ing that exists throughout the armywith respect to the
war it is only necessary to state, that when the order
for volunteering was read to the depot of the 58th Regi-
ment, 200 strong, almost all the men stepped forward
two paces to the front, thus indicating their desire to
proceed on active service ; but. as the regiment (the
58th) is coming home from New Zealand, only 50 volun-
teers were accepted.

The Royal Wiltshire Regiment has supplied the fol-
lowing numbers :-62 men to the Royal Marines, 40
men to the Rifle Brigade, 29 men to 62d Regiment, 14
men to the 231 Regiment, 12 men to the Guards, and 1
man to the 42d Ilig,blanders—in all 153 men. This
regiment is nearly 700 strong.
Orders have been issued for the siege guns just finished
for the Crimea to be embarked at Woolwich forthwith ;
they consist of 55 eight-inch guns ; their total weight of
metal is 208 tons 16 cwt.—namely, 44, each weighing 3
tons 4 cwt., and 11 six tons each. The Adelaide,
steamer, and Elisa, transport, are ordered to carry them
out.

Messrs. Peto, Drassey, and Co., the celebrated railway
contractors, are in want of a large number of experienced
" navvies " to proceed to the Crimea, under the super-
intendence of an able civil engineer. None will be en-
gaged unless producing certificates of gold conduct from
their last employer.

The steam-ship Magdalena, Captain Abbott, is to em•
bark on Wednesday from Southampton, the 18th (Royal
Irish) Regiment for the seat of war, and will besides
take out some horses and military stores.
The General Screw Company's ship Crcesus, of 2,500
tons, daily expected at Southampton from Australia,
has been chartered by the Government for the convey-
ance of troops. _ _ _

The splendid screw steamer Europa, now lying in the
East India Dock, has been taken up by the Admiralty
to convey troops to the Crimea.
The hired transports Cumberland and Hatt Lave been
ordered.•rounkl. to Plymouth to ship the wooden huts
constructed at that 'port for the army in the Crimea.
The hired screw transport Manilla, 142,
Captain
M'Kenzie, which put into Plymouth through stress of
weather on Wednesday, left again on Friday, with shot,
shell, &c., for the Black Sea.
The transport No. 149 (screw steamer) arrived at
Portsmouth yesterday afternoon to embark troops and
stores for the Crimea.

The screw steam-transport No. 157 arrived at Ports-
mouthores yesterday afternoon to embark troops or stores
for the East.

The bounty money for the corps of Royal Sappers and
Miners has been raised to 71. 15s. 6d., and upwards of
600 men are wanted to complete the strength of that
branch of the ordnance service. The 2d company pro-
ceeded to Portsmouth, and embarked in the Royal Al-
bert, 121, for the Crimea.

THE WOODEN HUTS FOR THE CRIMEA.
PORTSMOUTH, Saturday. —The wooden "barracks"
progress more favourably than the transports selected to
convey them to our gallant and suffering troops. The
contractor, Mr. Cornwell, at this port, has about 700
men working day and night to complete 1000 wooden
huts, which will Contain 20,000 men.
DIRECTIONS FOIL THE ERECTION OF SOLDIERS' WOODEN
HUTS, MADE AT PORTSMOUTH UNDER THE DIRECTION
OF THE ROYAL ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, BY ME' CAM-
WELL.
Level the ground to the extent of 23 feet by 16 feet,
for each hut.

Lay side plates in two pieces, 14 feet long, 4 inches
by 3 inches, which are halved together.
Lay end plates, 10 feet long, 4 inches by 3 inches,
which aro halved at the angles to side plates.
Fix the angle posts and two door posts, 6 feet, 4 inches
by 3 inches, then the intermediate stancheons, 11 on
each side, four at the door, and six at the other end.
Put on the top plates, which are morticed to fit tenons
on ends of staneheons.
Fix a pair of rafters at each end of building and ridge
board, then fill-in intermediate rafters, one over each
stancheon.

The stancheons for gable ends are stub-tenoned into 1,
plate, halved, and nailed to rafters at top.
The felt is to be laid longitudinally on the boarding,
each sheet to overlap two inches.
The weather boarding of the roof and sides to be laid
with 111 inc laps. At' each gable end one board is fixed
obliquely, as a barge board, projecting 4 inches from the
A batten 4i inches to be nailed over the centre joints.
The sides and ends to be weather-boarded with 112-
inch laps.
Two sleeper plates to be laid 6 feet from inside of
hut, to receive joists for bed, 4 inches by 2 inches, one
to each staucheon, to be covered with inch boarding.
The shelves to be laid os the three long collars of
roof.

MATERIALS FOR ONE SOLDIERS' RUT.
8 plates, 14ft. Oin, by 4in. by 3in.
4 plates, 16ft. Oin. by 4in, by 3in. for ends.
4 plates, 14ft. Oin. by 4in. by 3in. for ends of fioor•joists.
6 angie and door-posts, Oft". Oin. by 4in. by 3in.
32 stancheons, 6ft. Oin. by 4in. by 2in.
26 rafters, Oft. Gin. by 4in. by 2in.
5 collars, two 7ft. 10in. by 4in. by 2in., and three 10in.
by 9in., on which the shelves rest.
26 joists, Eft. 4in. by 4in. by 2in.
20 deals, 14ft. Oin. by gin. by 3i❑. cut into weather-boards,
32 boards, 14ft. Oin. by gin. by lin. guard-bed.
4 ditto, 13ft. 10in. by 41in. by lin. under ends of joists
2 shelves, 12ft. Oin, by llin. by IDn.
1 door and 2 window sashes.
8 braces, 41ft. Oin. by lin.
1 ridge-piece and pole, 28ft. Oin.
2 gicablets, 2 carpenters' hammers, and 141bs.

DESTRUCTION OF A THREE•GUN BATTERY
AT CHATHAM.

Since Friday last the Sappers and Miners belonging
to the engineer establishment have been working by
night and by day in relieves, preparing mines under a
three-gun battery, which had been thrown up on a hill,
between the Casmate Barracks and the Fire Barn, on
the fieldworks of the Royal Engineers, as an experiment
for destroying the gun. platform of a substantial
battery. The whole of tile officers of the Royal
Engineers, and those of the East India Counpany,
and a number of officers from Chatham garristm, were
present, together with the men of the Royal and
East India Company's Sappers and Miners, on Elaturday,
when the explosions were made. The experiment gavo
the greatest satisfaction to all present, and al:io to the
director, Colonel Jones, who seemed much pleased at
the result. The explosions were simultaneous, and the
earth was lifted up a considerable height, and it had a
grand effect. It appears that there were three charges
of gunpowder placed opposite the enabrasurris, two of
11.51b5. each and the other 851 b., each charge, being 10
and 11 feet below the surface of the platform. So
effectual was the destruction of the works that not a
particle was left standing but the outer works of the
fortified plans, which the explosions were not intended
to touch. The guns were blown from their psontion and