The Sun.
London, England, 1854-02-14 00:00:00

ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS.

- --
No. 9 company, under the command of Captain Jesse,
Royal Engineers, proceeded from the Royal Arsenal
station of the North Kent Railway to-clay for Chatham,
to relieve a number of men of the 10th and 11th com-
panies, who will return to Woolwich to-day to prepare
for embarkation for service on the Mediterranean

stations.

PORTSMOUTH, FEB. 13.
Each day brings more bustle and accession to the pre-
parations for the Eastern expedition, and as the week
advances we shall he still further and more actively em-
ployed in embarking the forces draughted for service
in aid of the Sultan. Several regiments are ordered to
embark here in ships chartered for the purpose, besides
those fitting out for similar duty under thei pennant—
her Majesty's steamships Simoom and Vulcan. Electric
telegraph orders came down from the Admiralty this
afternoon for these ships to be got ready positively by
the 24th for the embarkation of troops, and we doubt
not but they will be in trim by the day specified. These
are the only two naval transports fitting for the convey.
ance of troops. The Dragon paddlewheel steam-frigate
at this port, and the Bulldog, similar class vessel at Devon-
port, are fitting as war frigates, and have no orders to the
contrary. The 35th, 79th, and 2d battalion of Rifles,
have been out to-day on Southsea-common, and the
Royal Marine Artillery corps (or rather what is left of
it) has been engaged all day in great gunnery practice
for the sea service battery at Southsea Castle. The re-
cruiting parties are also perambulating, and the volun-
teers for the ships are briskly rolling in. While this is
being written about 200 Royal Artillery (foot) are on
their way from Woolwich to Portsmouth, to be dis-
tributed on board seagoing men-of-war, to do duty as
marine artillerymen. Temporary accommodation has
been provided for them in garrison. Rear-Admiral the
Bon. M. F. F. Berkeley, C. 8., M.P., third Lord of
the Admiralty, accompanied by Commander Kennedy,
of the Coast-guard, arrived in this dockyard this morn-
ing on an official visit, connected chiefly with mannin;
the ships. All the outpensioners of Greenwich employed
in the yard were mustered before the Admiralty Lord,
who harangued them in spirited terms, and told them that
he wanted such as were able to take duty in the Coast-
guard service in the room of the regulars, who were
draughted for ship duty. These, he said, should receive 3s
per diem in addition to their pension allowance (w
r .under-
stood); and to all those in the rigging-hou-e as ivgen4,
or any other (pensioners) who had been formerly con-
fleeted with the navy, he gave the choice of volunteering
for any ship they might name ; failing such volunta.r?
choice they would be sent on board Rear-Admiral Chads a
flag-ship Edinburgh. The Admiral, however, added,
that as this sea service wculd alter their circumstances,
they would remain on the dockyard pay-list the first two
months, and then receive that of tho navy The pen-
sioners from the Royal Marine carps will also be
draughted (such as are capable) for temporary Coast-
guard duty. The out-pensioners of Chelsea will be simi-
larly dealt with in relation to military service. Eighty
more Coast guardsmen arrived at this port this morning
for service at sea, and each hour adds its quota to the
great levy. A notice has been posted in the dockyard
that those out-pensioners of Greenwich inspected today
will not be required to attend to-morrow, for which day
As general call has been made by official proclamation.