The Sun.
London, England, 1854-02-13 00:00:00

reaching Southampton. The three steamers will, it 1
estimated, be able to carry about 3,000 men.
It is satisfactory to know that no interruption of the --
mail service will be occasioned by these ships having
been taken from their regular duties. The Sultan and
Euxine, two paddle-wheel steamers, of 1,200 tons and
400-horse power, are temporarily to replace the Ripon
and Himalaya on the Southampton, Malta, and Alex-
andria line, while those ships are carrying out the orders
of the Government.
We 'understand that the Golden Fleece and Jason,
two !splendid and capacious steam-ships, of 2,250 tons
and 400-horse power, have also been engaged by the
Government for the transport service. These vessels
belong to the General Screw Steam Company, and are
fitting out at Blackwall. The Golden Fleece will be
ready by the Ist of March, and the Jason as soon as
possible afterwards—probably by the Ist of April. Cap-
tain Ford, the superintendent of the company, has pro-
ceeded to London to hurry on their completion as soon
as practicable. Excepting the Propontis, of. 550 tons,
the General Screw Company have no vessels at South-
ampton at the present moment available for Government
service, as the Argo, Captain Hyde, sails on Tuesday
for the Cape and India, leaving no steamer of great size
connected with this company in port. The Queen of the
South is, however, due here on the 26th inst.
The Royal (West India) Mail Steam Packet Company,
we believe, cannot offer any present assistance to the
Government. The Orinoco, of 2,800 tons and 700
horse-power—a steamer which could carry a large num-
ber of men— is, unfortunately in want of repairs. The
Tay and Medway, both of 1,800 tons and 450 horse
power, are dismantled and undergoing an extensive
overhaul ; while the Parana, of 2,750 tons and 800-horse
power, is in the Thames, undergoing the process of
lengthening. La Plata, of 2,500 tons and 1,000-horse
power, expected from the West Indies on the 16th must
be ready to take out the mails of the 2d of March ;
while the Solent (now in port), 1,800 tons and 400-horse
power, has to start on the 17th. The Atrato, a magni-
ficent new iron paddle-wheel steadier, belonging to this
company, is expected from the Clyde in the course of a
few weeks, and would possibly be available. From her
immense size (nearly 3,000 tons) she would' be a mast
effective ship for this service, brit-could not be employed
for any considerable time without disconcerting the
company's arrangements for performing the poital ser-
vice to the West Indies.
The screw steam-ship Emu, of 1,660 tons and 350-
horse power, belonging to the Australasian Pacific Mail
Steam Company, has to-day been surveyed by order of
the Government for the purpose of ascertaining what
number of troops could be accommodated on board. This
ship is advertised to sail for Melbourne and Sydney on
the 10th of March, and might possibly be able to make
a trip to Malta and back in time to keep that engage-
ment, as she is in first-rate order for sea, and would carry
a good number of men.
It is understood that the Government requires at once
about 18,000 tons of steam transports to carry 10,000
men. The Himalaya, Ripon, Manilla, and Golden
Fleece provide only 8,584 tons of this quantity, so that
nearly 10,000 additional tons are needed. Nothing
further of consequence could be furnished at present from
this port without interfering with the regularity of
the mail service, and, as other ports will possibly
supply the deficiency, it is not likely the Government will
take off the mail steamers. This would only be resorted
to in an emergency of the last importance, such as the
present aspect of the Eastern question cannot yet be
considered. The Great Britain, screw-steamer, is shortly
expected to arrive at Liverpool from Australia, and if
chartered by the Government would be a most useful
vessel as a temporary troop-ship. Her great tonnage,
3,500 tons, and the method which has been pursued by
her owners in putting up the cabins for an immense
number of passengers, specially adapt this fine steam-
ship for the conveyance of a military force, and there is
no doubt the Great Britain would be able to carry a
a greater number of men in comfort than any steamer
now afloat, not excepting the Himalaya.
LIVERPOOL, FEB. 12.
This afternoon arrangements have been entered into
by the Cunard Company to place at the disposal of Go-
vernment the fine paddle-steamers Cambria and Niagara
for the conveyance of troops to the East. We under-
stand that they will each be fitted to carry 1,000 men.
The Niagara was advertised to take the mails to Bos-
ton, United States, on Saturday next, but her place
will be supplied by the screw-steamer Alps, The with-
drawal of these ships from the Cunard line of ' mail
steamers will not affect the regular despatch of the mails