The Sun.
London, England, 1854-02-06 00:00:00

APPOINTMENTS.

Commander—George H. Gardner (1848), from the
Blenheim, 60, screw steam guard-ship, at Portsmouth,
to the Neptune, 120, guard-ship, of ordinary, at Ports-
mouth.

Lieutenants—J. A. Price (1842), recently serving as
first lieutenant of the Cleopatra, 26, on the East Indies
station, to the Nile, 91, screw steam-ship at Devonport;
George H. H. Greathead (1846), formerly serving as
second lieutenant of the Britannia, 120, flag-ship of
Vice-Admiral J. W. D. Duudas, of the English
fleet in the Black Sea, is re-appointed as first lieutenant
to that ship ; Thomas Stackhouse (1853), recently pro-
moted from the first mate of the Britomart, 8, brig on
the west coast of Africa station to the Dragon paddle-
wheel steam-frigate at Portsmouth.
Master—Perceval B. Roberts (1841), to the Illus.
triouP, 72, at Portsmouth.

Midshipmen—Nowell Salmon, Herbert Hilton, R.
A. Cumberlege, Win. IW%. Power, and Henry R.
Wrotisland, to the James Watt, 91, screw steam-ship at
Devonport.

PORTSMOUTH, FEB. 5.

The Blenheim, 60, screw, Captain the Hon. F. T.
Pelham, was taken out of doc yesterday unexpectedly.
Every exertion is being made to complete the repairs
and improvements of this ship to get her ready, for
active service. She was placed under the shears to ship
her foremast, and will go to her hulk to take in her
crew and complete in a day or two. Her bottom has
received a double coating of limewash, which is found
a most excellent substitute for the many nostrums in
use for keeping the coppsr clean.
The Simoom, 18, iron (screw) troop ship, Captain
Smith, hauled out of dock into the factory basin last
evening, upon sudden orders. Every available hand
was put upon her, and we believe they worked up to a
very late hour last night upon her to get her ready for
immediate service.

The Basilisk, 8, paddle-wheel steam-sloop, Commander
the Hon. F. Egerton, was taken out of the steam basin
yesterday afternoon, and went alongside the hulk Maid-
stone to complete her supply of coal ; an order having
emanated from the Admiralty for all the steamers in the
port to complete their coaling, ready for orders.
The Hecla, 6, paddle-wheel sloop, was commissioned
yesterday morning by Mr. Tucker (who has been for
some time in charge of her), for Mr. Peter Wellington,
Master, R.N., who is appointed to command her for the
special service in the North Seas which we reported on
Saturday. She was taken into the steam-basin dock
last night to have her bottom examined. The officers
who have volunteered for the Hecla as staff compliment,
are Mr. Covey, chief engineer, Mr. Evans, assistant
surgeon, Mr. Swift, first-class assistant engineer, Mr.
Lambert, Mr. Murray, and Mr. Neil, third-class assist-
ant engineers, Mr. Barlow, clerk in charge, and four
warrant officers.

Master-Commander Wellington went to the Admi-
ralty yesterday morning, and returned last night.
The Fox, 42, Commodore (now Rear-Admiral) Sir
George Lambert, K.C.8., was at Bombay on the 28th
of December, about to be docked, having by some means
or other rubbed some of her copper off,' and the worm
had eaten through. She was on her way from Point de
Galle to Bombay when the damage was discovered, and
she made 24 inches of water per hour.
The Sprightly steam-vessel, Mr. George Allen, Act-
ing-Master commanding, returned from Plymouth this
afternoon with men.

The Malabar Indiaman sailed from Spithead this
morning for Madras.

, -
A letter from Admiral Corry's squadron, at tea,
states :—" On the 20th we had a trial of sailing by the
wind under all plain sail; wind unsteady from the N.E.
—force between 3 and 4, with a high swell. The trial
was between the Duke of Wellington, Imperieuse, and
Tribune. After a run by the wind of 15 miles the Tri-
bune gained on the Imperieuse 825 fathoms. The wind
fell light towards the end of the trial. The Duke and
Imperieuse closed each other in opposite tacks, and it
was doubtful whether the latter would weather her noble
competitor. She, however, bore away, and ran to lee-
ward." The Duke is considered by all a most wonder-
ful ship.

PLYMOUTH, FEB. 5.
OFFICIAL VISIT OF ADMIRAL DUNDAS, ONE OF THE
LORDS OF THE ADMIRALTY, TO THIS PORT.—Rcar-
Admiral the Hon. R. S. Duudas, accompanied by Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Wesley, assistant adjutant-general of the
Royal Marines, arrived here on Thursday evening last
by express train. Admiral Dundas was received at the
station by the Commander-in-Chief Sir John Ommanney,
with whom he proceeded to the Admiralty-house, where
he dined with a party of officials appointed to meet him.
Among the company present were Major-General Sir
Harry Smith, commander-in-chief of the forces in the
Western district ; Colonel Coryton, Royal Marines ;
Captains the Honourable G. Elliot, of the James Watt ;
Ramsay, Hogue ; Kingcome, St. George ; Sir F.
Nicholson, Pique ; Codrington, Royal George ; Lowe,
Impregnable ; Hall, Bulldog ; Hewlett, Edinburgh ;
Fisher, Magicienne. At eleven o'clock on Friday
' morning, the division of Royal Marines under the
command of Colonel Coryton was inspected by Admiral
Dundas, attended by Lieut.-Colonel Wesley. The divi-
sion was drawn up in one continuous column, consisting
of eight companies, and underwent a very minute inspec-
tion by the gallant officer, who was most particular as to
the number of men fit for immediate service. After in-
specting the battalion, he inspected the undisciplined
recruits, which. at present muster strong. He saw the
men at the ship-battery, under Captain Ayles, instructor
of gunnery ; from whence he proceeded to the different
offices, beginning at the adjutants', thence to the pay-
masters' office, the barrack and quartermasters' office,
and next to the divisional pay-office and infirmary. He
also visited the barrack-rooms. In each and all of the
departments the gallant admiral was most minute in his
inquiries, particularly as to the barrack accommodation,
clothing, and equipments of the men. Having finished the
inspection of the division, he saw the detachments under
orders for embarkation in her Majesty's shipJarnes Watt
and Bulldog. Admiral Dundas and Lieut.-Colonel Wesley
afterwards lunched with Colonel Coryton. They left the
barracks about 4 o'clock, and proceeded to the dockyard,
where they were received by Commodore Seymour, who
took them to his office, where the hooks, &c., were in-
sp. ected Admiral Bundas visited, yesterday, the dock-
yard, the new poWder-works at Bull Point ; the Edin-
burgh, 58, Captain Hewlett (where he remained one
hour); Royal George, 120, Captain Codrington; James
Watt, 90, Captain the Hon. G. Elliot ; and Thetis, 36,
Captain Kuper. The latter ship was paid down about
an hour after he left. He lunched with Commodore
Seymour in the afternoon, and dined with the Port
Admiral in the evening. He will leave either by this
evening's mail train, or to-morrow morning by the ex-
press train. His visit is understood principally to have
reference to the efficiency of the division of Royal Ma-
rines at this port. In this division there can be taus.