The Sun.
London, England, 1854-02-16 00:00:00

APPOINTMENTS.

Deputy-Inspector of Hospitals. —James Wingate John-
ston, M.D. (1847), to Deal Hospital.
Lieutenants.—George H. Mansell (1848), from the
Vulture paddle-wheel steam-frigate, at Devonport, to the
Pique, 4G ; John E. Commerell (1848), to the Vulture,
vice Mansell.

Surgeon-Superintendent.—Charles Smith (1843), to
the Amazon hired convict-ship.
Paymaster.—Joseph Martin (1843), to the Blenheim,
60, screw steam-ship, at Portsmouth.
Assistant.Surgeons.—Oharles Roberts. (1845), from
the Excellent gunnery-ship, at Portsmouth, to Deal
Hospital ; George C. Wilson (1853), to the Majestic, 80,
screw steam-ship, at Sheerness.
Acting Assistant-Surgeons.—George E. Young, to the
Caesar, 91, screw steam-ship, at Portsmouth ; William
J. Shone, to the Vulcan, screw steam troop-ship ;
Francis Hardinge, to the James Watt, 91, screw steam-
ship, at Devonport ; Richard Eustace, to the Monarch,
84, at Sheerness.
Captain Herriot, with 1 sergeant, 1 corporal, and 65
privates of the Woolwich division of Royal Marines, has
been placed under orders to proceed to Sheerness for
service in the Majestic.

PORTSMOUTH, FEB. 15.

The first instalment of the Baltic fleet from this port
went to Spithead to-day---the Princess Royal, 91, Cap-
tain Lord Clarence Paget, and the Dauntless, 33, Cap-
tain A. P. Ryder, both screw-ships. As may be readily
imagined, their leaving the harbour at such a juncture
was witnessed by an immense concourse of spectators. ,
The Princess Royal is a new ship, ably manned and
heavily armed, and as this is the class which will form
the most conspicuous feature in the fleet about to con-
gregate in these waters, we will recapitulate her arma-
ment-28 eight-inch, 62 32. pounders, and 1 68-pounder
pivot gun—a tremendous battery when compared with
the guns in vogue during the last war. The Dauntless
has been greatly improved since she was last employed,
and such precautions taken as will prevent, we trust,
the recurrence of any such fatality as that which so de-
populated her decks when on the West India station.
She ran the measured mile at Stoke's Bay, and made,
we are informed, nearly 10 knots per hour. The Prin-
ceSs Royal did not run the mile, but stretched as far as
Osborne, and then up to the Nab Light, when it be-
came apparent something was wrong with her machinery,
though to what extent we do not yet know. The Daunt-
less was ordered to her assistance, but we believe the
Princess Royal moored without her.
Medical officers are much wanted for the navy, and
Dr. Sir John Richardson, C. 8., Medical Inspector of
Haslar Hospital, left that establishment a day or two
since to hold an examination in London of candidates
for entry into the navy as assistant-gorgeous.
There seems to be some sort of cross purposes at work
in making arrangbinents about the pensioners, whose
muster we reported on Monday, as an order has been
promulgated to-day to discharge all seamen and marine
pensioners who were selected yesterday and Monday for
duty, except those employed in the rigging-house, and
these are to be sent on board the Edinburgh, 58, Rear-
Admiral Chad's flag-ship. This ship has been moved
from dock k)-day to the fitting basin, to complete her
refit. She embarked marine artillery and marines this
afternoon, under the command of Captain Delacourt,
and is fitting as fast as possible.
The Simoom and Vulcan troop-ships have a powerful
force employed upon them, and will be ready to embark
their respective apportionments of troops by the 24th.
The Caesar, 91, Captain Robb, has been placed in the
steam factory basin dock, to be coppered, and completed
in other respects for sea.
Rear-Admiral Superintendent Martin is recovering
from his late indisposition, and will be able to attend to
his duties again in a day or two.
The Mercury cutter, Lieutenant Freeland, came in
to-day from the Channel Islands with volunteers for the
fleet.

Captain Wilson, the commanding staff officer of pen-
sioners, is still engaged in making his return of the out-
pensioners fit for duty, which body will make a goodly
muster. Volunteers continue to come in hourly from
all quarters.

PLYMOUTH, FEB. 15.

Her Majesty's paddle-wheel steam-slow Bulldog goes
out of harbour to-day. It is reported that she will con-
vey troops, probably the 93d Highlanders, to Malta.
The Wizard, apprentices' brig, having had a thorough
refit, left this port for Queenstown yesterday.
The screw steam-ship Algiers, 91, will be taken out
of the dockyard to-day, and on the removal of the St.
George will be placed in the dock at Beyham to receive
her machinery.
Captain Sir Thomas Maitland, from Portsmouth, ar-
rived here yesterday, when a board of inspection was
held,.to consider some proposed alterations in the maga-
zines of the screw ships of war, the object of which ap-
pears to be to afford increased facilities for supplying
powder to the decks when the ships are in action.
Two thousand hammocks have been ordered to be
sent from the Devonport dockyard to Liverpool for the
use of troops to be embarked there for the Mediterra-
nean. Riggers are to work on them until 9, instead of
5 p.m., to get them slung.

SHEERNESS, FEB. 14.

The Rhadamanthus, paddle-wheel steam-transport,
Master Commander John Belam, arrived here from
Devonport at 6 p.m. yesterday, and has this day been
taken into the fitting basin for the purpose of discharging
victualling stores, brought round by her from the Royal
William Victualling-yard at Plymouth. These stores
are intended as a reserve in case of need at this port, in
compliance with the Admiralty order recently issued to
provide and at all times keep victualling stores at this
yard for 1,000 men.
The Horatio, 24 guns, screw steam guard-ship, Com-
mander Robert Jenner, at 10 a.m. yesterday proceeded
from her moorings for the usual four-monthly trial of
her engines. Her engines worked very well and effi-
ciently, giving an average speed of 71 knots per hour.
During the cruise the gunners were employed in clearing
the shell-room and fitting fuze caps to the shells, with
prickers, according to a recent general order from the
Lords Of the Admiralty. Several shells were fired' to
ascertain whether dampness had occurred, but they all
acted admirably well. The Horatio returned into har-
bour at 3.30 p.m.
A number of fine lads are being entered on board this
ship as naval apprentices,who, in a very short time, are
perfected in their gun exercise, knotting, splicing, &c.
There are at present on board about 180 volunteer lands-
men and apprentices ; 30 of the apprentices will, in a
day or two, be draughted on board the Monarch, com-
missioned here for active service. Great credit is due
to Commander Robert Jenner and the officers and sea-
men gunners, who all seem to vie with each other in
instructing the apprentices and the landsmen in the
various duties which are to be required of them here-
! after.

The Majestic, 80 guns' new screw steam-ship, hasbeen
commissioned here by Captain Hope. An increased
number of engineers have been set on to forward the
completion of her engines and machinery, and she will
taken, fairly in hand by the dockyard department on
the completion of the Cressy.
The Cressy, 80 guns, screw steam-ship, Capt. Richard
L. Warren, has been supplied with a number of first-
rateseamen, draughted from various coast-guard'stations,
all of whom are. fully instructed in their gunnery exer-
cise, and quite efficient as A.B.'s from former service
afloat in the navy.
The Lords of the Admiralty have stopped all leave of
absence to officers of every description in commission at
the different ports, admirals' leave not now being granted
beyond 24 hours to the officers of any ships fitting for
• comminion,

" The board do not propose that the company should
undertake any important works or purchases beyond these
during the present year ; so that the above stated sum of
704,015/. represents the total amount of the company's ex-
with the exception of any sub-
ps
iednida
tityuwreoarknsd, ewnhgiagehemm
may be found desirable for increasintl
the efficiency of the dock, and other incidental expenses.
" Their reasons for recommending this course are the
following :
" As the act authorising the enlargement of the com-
pany's capital and undertaking gives seven years from the
4th of August, 1853, for the completion of the works, the
time which will remain after the end of the present year
will be much more than sufficient for the execution of all
the additional works which may hereafter be decided on.
" The dock, warehouses, and land provided by the two
contracts with Messrs. •Peto, Betts, and Brassey, will,
from their extent, and the variety of accommodatiou which
they will comprise, be sufficient for the transaction of a,
very large business such as would give a good return upon
the whole of the outlay to which the company is at present
engaged. They will consist of a half-tide basin of 16 acres,
an. inner dock of 74 acres, more .than 11 acres of ware-
house floor, jetties affording 6,000 feet of quay frontage,
in addition to the sides of the dock, and 110 acres of land.
As the increase of business must be gradual, it may be an-
ticipated that additional dock accommodation beyond that
already contracted for will not be required during the first
two or three. years after the opening of the dock. And
experience will enable the company to determine the par-
ticular forms in which such additional accommodation
ought to be hereafter provided, so as to produce the
greatest amount of benefit to the commerce of the port of
London, and the largest eventual return upon the com-
pany's expenditure.
" The large extent of land (upwards of 400 acres) owned
by the company, in addition to the 200 acres which form
the site of the dock and other works now in progress, will
give the company the means of providing all the accommo-
dation of the kind usually supplied by docks, which the
trade of London may eventually be found to require, and
will enable it to afford to the different trades, who may be
expected to resort to the Victoria Docks, such other ac-
commodation, as may be suited to the requirements of
each. The company will have the means of supplying
warehouses, yards, dry-docks, timber-ponds, or any other
premises and conveniences, which may be adapted to par-
ticular branches of trade. Looking to the extent and
variety of the business, the accommodation of which falls
within the company's province, and the comprehensive,
and in some respects, novel character of its plan, it appears
to the board, that great eventual advantage is likely to
arise to the company from such delay in the further ex-
tension of the works, as will enable them to take advan-
tage of the overtures which may be made to them by
parties seeking special accommodation, or of the sugges-
tions which experience may furnish.

"The considerable rise-which has taken place in mate-
rials and labour, since the conclusion of the original con-
tract, renders the present time unfavourable for com-
mencing or contracting for new works.
" The unsettled state of foreign politics and of the money
market would, in themselves, have rendered a pause de-
sirable before undertaking any large additional engage-
ments ; and i t is, therefore, a great cause of satisfaction to
the board that the course, which is recommended by con-
siderations of financial prudence, is also that which is in
itself the most advantageous. .

"These reasons for abstinence from further extension
during the present year apply to the construction of new
warehouses on the Steel-yard ; and the board have accord-
ingly resolved not to make any contract for them during
the present year. It will be remembered that.these ware-
houses formed no part of the original plan of the company,
and they are therefore not indispensable to its success, al-
though the board continue to believe that they will be
found very valuable in giving to the company's business
the eventual extension of which it is capable, The Steel-
yard, in its present state, will ba available for receiving
and despatching goods intended for shipment on vessels in
the dock.

"It will be seen from the annexed accounts that the
-amount paid by shareholders in anticipation of calls amounts
to 53,896 r. upon the old shares, and 28,7031. upon the new.
The option of paying up in advance either the whole or
any part of the sum remaining uncalled upon the shares,
and receiving 5 per cent. upon the amount so paid, re-
mains open to such holders of either the old or new shares,
as may ho disposed to avail themselves of it.

" A resolution will be proposed to the meeting, autho-
rising the board of directors to borrow 133,0001., either on
debentures, or on mortgage, on such terms as they may
think advisable, in conformity with the act of Parliament.
The grant of this antlierity is necessary for facilitating the
company's financial arrangements.
" The balance-sheet showed that the amount received
was 317,6091. 10s. 7d., and the sum expended, 308,260 t.
17s. 101, leaving a balance of 9,3481. 12s. 9d."
The CHAIRMAN' said it could not be expected that the
board of management would have much that was new to
communicate on the present occasion. The contractors
were going on well with the works, and the shareholders
were prompt in the payment of their calls. The report
of the directors recommended them not to undertake
any fresh works during the present year, " which he
thought was desirable from the present state of the
money market, and the state of our foreign relations.
This delay would be advantageous beyond a mere finan-
cial consideration, for it would give them time to look
round arid see the nature of the works likely to be re-
quired. The amount of accommodation now proposed
was, he thought, quite ample for any business that might
arise for the first three years. They had an area of 90
acres of water, having a basin of about three-quarters of
a mile in length, and the fifth of a mile in width. This
would accommodate a large fleet of vessels, and if they
could only get that filled, they might rely on a satisfac-
tory divided on the whole of their capital. (Hear,
hear.) To obtain this trade would require some time ;
they might, therefore, well postpone any further under-
takings till that was realised. The proprietors would
see that the directors now sought the power to borrow
additional capital to the extent of 133,0001., which was
allowed to be done by their act of Parliament.
Mr. WlLLlamsort said he thought the report was very
satisfactory, and he had no doubt that when the docks
were opened, they would realise much beyond the 5 per
cent. now guaranteed on the calls.
A PROPRIETOR. asked if it were intended to form dry
docks in connection with this company, as was done in
Liverpool ; otherwise vessels would go out to that port
in preference.
• The CHAIRMAN said the subject had been considered
by the board, and they would be prepared to take mea-
sures for` that purpose on a suitable opportunity.
A PROPRIETOR asked if any loss was likely to arise
to the company from the rise in the price of labour and
materials.

The CHAIRMAN said the contractors would undertake
to complete the dock for a fixed sum. Their only incon-
venience might arise from a delay in opening the dock.
A PROPRIETOR inquired if they had any fear of injury
from the proposed Wellington Docks ?
The CHAIRMAN considered the injury, if any, would
be done to the St. Katharine's Docks, being so near that
locality.
The report was adopted, and the directors were em-
powered to raise, when required, the 133,000/. sane
tioned by the act of Parliament.
The meeting then adjourned.

THE EASTERN STEAM NAVIGATION

COMPANY.

The meeting of the shareholders of this company was
held yesterday. H. T. Hope, Esq., took the chair.
The report was as follows :
" The report presented to the proprietors at their last
meeting, held on the 6th of August, 1853, stated that your
directors had invited tenders from several parties, and had
made provisional arrangements for the construction of their
first vessel and engines, and had also made a call of 2L per
share, in order to comply with the terms of the charter pf
incorporation, which requires that 120,0001. of the capital
should be paid up before any contracts were entered into.
" Your directors have now the satisfaction to report that
beents lmetioe)
irfioosurvnfimi provisional
olnwyiaahlraiacbctohlineattetroidaeo
delay
mit
pyspolhtaplace
s whichsea t i s
fhaacctl
obr been
terms,
r enteredmsd
the requisite amount of capital has been paid up, and that
occasioned
been
einto althoughha
builder's bpyretinhie.s,3csa:l
no
0-
pecuniary loss has been sustained by the company. The
contracts specify that this vessel shall be ready for launch-
ing within 18 months ; an eligible site for the building of
the ship has been obtained at Millwall, and active steps
have already been taken by the contractors towards cam-
ing out their respective contracts, on account of which a
first instalment of 48,6861.135. 4d. has been paid to them.
" In your directors' last report, they explained so fully
and in detail the grounds on which they felt the fullest con-
fidence both in the efficiency and profitable employment of
large vessel's carrying their coal for the entire voyage, in
comparison with vessels of small power and capacity, that
additional observation appears unnecessary in this place,
further than to assure the shareholders that every day's ex-
perience tends to strengthen and confirm, in the opinion of
scientific and practical men, the soundness of the calcula-
tiOns on which their plans have been based.
" At this meeting, your auditors, W. W. Cargill, Esq.,
and J. E. Coleman, Esq., retire, in conformity • with the
terms of the deed of settlement, but being eligible for re-
election, offer themselves accordingly.
" In conclusion, your directors have to report, that in-
terest warrants, at the rate of four per cant. per annum on
calls paid up to the 31st December last, have been issued,
and that the accounts of the company have been duly
audited. The balance-sheet for the past year is hereunto
annexed.
" The following is a summary of the receipts and expen-
diture from the rnrmation of the company iu January,
1851, to the 31st December, 1853, vii
Total amount received.

X 122,66413 3

EXPENDED.

For preliminary expenses, char-
ter of incorporation, Parlia-
mentary, law, and other
charges, office expenses, 5:c.... 6,205 6 4.
Paid to contractors ............... 48,684 13 4 54,891 19 8

Dec.nde 31. a to 1853 'of 7,772 15 7
the advantage of
Leaving
The eal
ibAs. balance cAexi
havingnhan a,
at
adopting the large class of vessels now constructing over -
small vessels, and the prospects of success likely to attend
them, moved the adoption of the report. • i
The report having been adopted, a vote of thanks was
passed to the chairman and directors, and the 'meetint
adjourned.