The Sun.
London, England, 1854-06-13 00:00:00

THE FLEET AT HELSINGFORS.

OFF HELSINGFORS, June s.—The screw line-of-
battle ships, consisting of the Duke of Wellington,
131, bearing the flag of Vice-Admiral Sir Charles
Napier, Commander-in-Chief ; Edinburgh, 58,
flag-ship of Rear Admiral Chads ; St. Jean d'Acre,
101, Captain the Hon. H. Keppel ; Austerlitz,
100 ; Princess Royal, 91, Captain Lord C. Paget ;
Caesar, 91, Captain John Robb ; Cressy, 80, Cap-
tain R. L. Warren ; Blenheim, 60, Captain Pel-
ham ; Hogue, 60, Captain W. Ramsay ; paddle
steam frigate Penelope, 16, Captain Caffin, and a
few smaller steamers, re. ,ained at anchor in Hango
Roads, Finland, for a longer period than was in-
tended, in consequence of the prevalence of dense
fogs at frequent intervals. The navigation of the
Gulf of Finland under the most favourable state
of the weather is attended with difficulty, espe-
cially for ships of great draught of water. At the
present time it is rendered more hazardous, from
the fact of the Russians having removed the vari-
ous buoys and beacons which denoted the usual
channels. As an instance of one of the impedi-
ments which the enemy has thrown in the way of
the safe progres of the fleet up the Gulf of Finland
it may be cited that the lighthouse on the island of
Hango, which is situate at the north-western en-
trance of the gulf, has been pulled down, and the
usual marks for vessels entering the roadsteads have
been removed. Throughout the whole length of
the gulf similar proceedings have been adopted by
the enemy, but which, however, will not have the
effect intended. By sending in advance two or
three small steamers lo take soundings and bear-
ings the large ships will be able to shape a safe
course to Sweaborg, and thence to the vicinity of
Cronstadt. No further bombardment of the forts
commanding Hango Udd has taken place. Their
speedy destruction would have been easily effected,
but attended with no advantage. The fortresses of
Sweaborg mount 800 guns of large calibre, one-half
of which, it is stated, could be brought to bear on
any ships attempting to pass through the narrow
channel to the harbour of Helsingfors. In the gar-
rison are several thousand artillerymen, and it
appears to be the opinion of those who
have given the subject much serious con-
sideration, that our ships, notwithstanding
their powerful armament, would make but little
impression on batteries of solid granite. It is not,
therefore, probable that any attack on Sweaborg
will be made. But admitting that the fleet suc-
ceeded in demolishing these fortresses, the posses-
sion of the locality could not be retained without a
large body of troops, a supply of whom is not pro-
vided.

While at anchor in Hango Roads, the crews of
the various ships were exercised aloft in reefing
and furling sails, shifting topsail yards, and similar
evolutions. A squadron of observation, consist-
ing of the Imperieuse, 50, Captain Watson ; Ar-
rogant, 46, Captain Yelverton ; Dauntless, 33,
Captain Ryder ; and Basilisk, 6, Captain the
Hon. F. Egerton, have been cruising in the vi-
cinity of Sweaborg, Rear-Admiral Corry, with
the sailing ships and a few steamers, is reconnoiter-
ing between the island of Gottska Sando and Port
Baltic. The paddle and screw steamers, under the
orders of Rear- Admiral Plumridge, are off the
Aland Isles. The Ampbion, 36, Captain A. C.
Key, has captured several of the enemy's merchant
vessels. The Desperate, Capt. E. T. C. D'Eyncourt,
anchored in Hango-roads on the 27th ult., and
the Hecla, Captain W. K. Hall, was despatched to
Stockholm, to procure fresh provisions for the fleet.
The Driver, Commander the Hon. A. A. Cochrane,
arrived from Copenhagen, having on board Lieu-
tenant Naylor, R.M., the bearer of despatches for
the Commander-in-Chief. On the 28th the Driver
was sent to look after a Russian steamer re-
ported cruising outside, and the Lightning,
Captain Sulivan, to the Gulf of Bothnia. The
Alban, paddle steamer, Commander, Otter, joined
company on the 29th; and the Cruiser, Commander
the Hon. G. H. Douglas, proceeded to Gottska
Sando. During the 31st, and greater portion of
the subsequent day, a dense fog prevailed, whereby
all communications between the ships was pre-
vented. Two Dutch galliotts came into Hango
Roads bound up the Gulf of Finland, but were not
allowed to proceed on their voyage. Early in the
morning of the 2d inst., the Gorgon, Dragon, and
Desperate (the latter with the English yacht Myrtle
Colonel Corfield, in tow), steamed out of the road-
stead to examine the shoals, &c., in Baro Sound.
The Alban brought in a Russian gunboat and a
merchant brig, and the Porcupine a brigantine, as
prizes. At noon the fleet weighed under steam.
After clearing Hango Roads the fires were banked
and all necessary sail made to a fine breeze from
the N.W. In the evening the ships anchored in
Baro Sound, about eight miles off the shore of
Elgso, the Penelope, remaining off Hango to watch
the movements of the enemy on that part of the
coast, and to wait the arrival at that anchorage
of the squadron in company with Rear-Admiral
Corry. The Lightning, Captain Sullivan, while in
the Gulf of Bothnia, will reconnoitre Bomar-
sund, the principal of the Aland Isles, for the
purpose of ascertaining the strength of its for-
tifications. • Mr. Nugent, one of the officers of
engineers attached to the fleet, accompanies Cap-
tain Sulivan to assist him in this important service.
The Hecla, Captain W. K. Hall, arrived in Baro
Sound on the 3d from Stockholm, with a large
number of live bullocks and vegetables for the
fleet. The Imperieuse, 50, Captain Watson, and
Arrogant, 46, Captain Yelverton, hove in sight
in the forenoon, and were ordered to cruise in the
offing, to intercept all merchant vessels bound
up the Gulf of Finland with supplies for the
enemy. The Pigmy, steam gun-boat, Lieutenant-
Commander C. Otter, joined company on the 4th,
14 days from the Cowns ; and the Gorgon steamer
was despatched to Stockholm. The French Squad-

mu of eight sail of the line have united with the
oLvi-ioi of t;ie English &et cruising off Gottslok
Sando. On leaviag Baro Siund the allied squad-
rons will proceed further up the Gulf of Finland/
near to Sweaborg, and thence to the island of
Hogland.

FR INCE.

The Moniteur of this day (Tuesday), publishes a
despatch from Admiral Hamelin, dated May 23,
relative to the capture of the fortifications in Ca'
cassia.

Anapa has not been taken.
General Portonneaux quitted Paris yesterday
morning for the camp at Marseilles, after having
received the instructions of the Emperor.
M. Berryer has just returned from his country
seat at Augerville, where he has been latterly em-
ployed in composing his address for the occasion of
his reception to the French Academy.
The candidates for places in the Hundred Guards
of the Emperor were presented to him two days
back at St. Cloud. After a sufficient examination,
70 of them were admitted. It is said that the
whole body will be perfectly organised by the 15th
of July.
M. Etienne Arago, brother of the late illustrious
astronomer, who fled from France in consequence
of having taken part in the affair of June 13, IWP
has just received orders from the Belgian Govern"
meat--it is said, on the representation of the
French Cabinet—to quit Belgium in ten days. fr,e,
is accused of keeping up relations in France, an
especially of having endeavoured to enter into a
series of secret intrigues with some of the troops
quartered in the department of the Nord. A similar
order had been on two occasions previously given
to M. Arago, but he always managed to have the
matter arranged. Perhaps the same will be th©
case at present.
The Three per Cents. closed yesterday at 71f',
85c. for the end of the month ; the Four-and-a-Oat!
per Cents. at 97f. 40c ; and the New Loan,. at
71f. 25c. ; Orleans Railway Shares, 1,1551-)
Rouen, 980 f.; Havre, 380 f.; Great Northern, 851 t
25c.; Strasburg, 795 f.; New Shares, 650 f.; Par'
and Lyons, 935 f.; Lyons to the Mediterranean,
805 f.; Western of France, 6621. 50c.; Bordea,u%
and Cette, 602 f. 50c.; Great Central of France,
505 f.; Lyons and Geneva, 490 f.; Bank of Cr6dit
Mobilier, 747 f. 50c.

ITALY.

-
Letters from Rome of the 4th again speak of the
proceedings with respect to the assassins of Count
Rossi. Although the verdict passed on them vat
confirmed by the Court of Revision, nothing is Ye"
known with certainty at Rome as to their ultimate
fate. It is the custom in that country that whenever
a sentence of death is pronounced all the documents
of the trial are sent to the sovereign, who, afterf
due examination, sends them back to the court, I
the sentence is to be carried into effect. As the,
documents of the Rossi trial have not been yet 001
back from the Vatican, it is generally suppo. se,
that a commutation of punishment will be decide'
on. A rumour having been circulated. that 2/
piratical vessel had been seen in the vicinity of th?
isle of Giglio, the Pontifical Government has set"'
some soldiers to guard the shore between Cornetto
and Terracina. The two little vessels of war whi▪
eh
it possesses have also been ordered to cruise about
on the same coast, as a measure of precaution;
But it is impossible to suppose that any piratic▪ al
craft could have the audacity to appear in a see
frequented by such numbers of vessels of all nations.