The Sun.
London, England, 1853-04-26 00:00:00

PORTSMOUTH, APRIL 25.

The Sprightly, tender to Victory, Master Commander
Allen, went out of harbour this morning at 7.30, for the
purpose of conveying on shore the widow and daughters
of the late Admiral Austen (flag), of the Hastings.
They landed with their attendants, at the Dockyard
King's-stairs, at 10.30, politely assisted by Capt. Pur-
vis, who came home as passenger in the above ship.
more bitter morning we have not seen during the win-
ter ; it blew half a gale of wind from N.W., accompanied
with violent hail squalls, which was most keenly felt by
parties coming from a warm climate.
Captain Chads went to Spithead in the Bee at ten,
mustered the crew of the Hastings, and put them
through the great gun and small arm exercise. They
also had some practice at a floating target, which was
very satisfactory.
The Hastings will come into harbour to-morrow, and
in a few days will be paid off at this port, which will
cause a great deal of money to be circulated amongst
the tradesmen, as some of the crew will receive above
1501. a man. Taking officers and men in number 600,
there will be at least 40,0001. paid on account of the
ship. We only trust the " villanous crimps" will not
get hold of the too open-hearted and good-natured sailor,
for they are like a lot of hungry wolves over the carcase
of a deal horse.

The Basilisk, 6 (paddle), Commander the Hon. F.
Egerton, is quite ready for foreign service, having ben
sails to-day, and is complete in every department.
The Illustrious, old 72, hospital depot, took up her
moorings this morning at the entrance of Haslar Lake.
The Rolla, 6, naval apprentices exercising-brig, left
the harbour this morning, and brought-up at Spithead ;
the weather being very severe, the glass standing at 40.
The Vulcan, 6, iron-screw troop-frigate, commander
Von Donop, has sent up stanter topmasts to-day, has
been payed over with Hay's composition, nearly com-
pleted repairs, and will he soon out of the dockyard
hands.

PLYMOUTH, APRIL 24.
The Cyclops (steamer) and Melampus (store-ship)
sailed on Saturday afternoon for Woolwich. They had
a- fair wind, and the Melampus starting first there was
no necessity for her being taken in tow.
The following superannuations have taken place from
this dockyard :—Mr. Richard Scott, clerk, at 2201. per
annum ; John Thomas, leading-man of shipwrights, 341.;
Thomas Cleave, shipwright, 24/. ; Henry Fowler, ditto,
221. ; Henry Bennet, caulker, 24/. ; Francis Lawrence,
labourer, 151.

The Amphion, Captain Patey, arrived on Saturday,
and saluted, which was answered by the Impregnable.
The Wizard, 6 (tender to the Ajax), having had her
bottom cleaned, sailed on Saturday for Queenstown.
The St. Jean d'Acre will be taken into No. 5 dock to-
morrow morning, her heavy machinery having been put
on board.

Every exertion is being used to prepare the Leander
for the reception of the Earl of Ellesmere. She will be
completed by the 30th inst.

WOOLWICH, APRIL 25.
APPOINTMENTS.
__ _

Paymaster Charles J. Brown (1846), to the Vulcan
steam-frigate at Devonpoi t.
Clerks.—Richard Allen (1847), to the Trafalgar, 120,
on the Mediterranean station ; Edward Foster (1850),
serving as additional clerk in the Prince Regent, 90,
flag-ship of Rear-Admiral Corry, has been appointed
secretary's cork on board that vessel.

LAUNCH 01, THE JAMES WATT AT PEMBROKE.—PEM-
BROKE YARD, April 24.—Last evening, at 4.45, that
magnificent auxiliary steam screw line.of-battle ship, the
James Watt, was launched at thi3 arsenal. She was
named by Miss Pasley,daughter of Captain Superinten-
dent Sir Thomas S. Pasley, Bart., who, with a large
party of the elite of the neighbourhood, witnessed the
imposing spectacle. The following are her
principal
dimensions and armament :—Length over all, 205 ft. 3in.;
breadth extreme, 55ft. sin. ; burthen in tons (old me-
thod), 3,083 7-94.

ARMAMENT. ft. in.
Lower deck, 20 guns, 8-inch, 65 cwt. Length, 9 9
Ditto, 14 guns, 32-pndrs. 56 cwt. ~ 9 6
Cabin deck, 8 guns, 8,, 65 cwt. ~ 9 n
Ditto, 26 guns, 32-pudrs. 56 cwt. ~ 9,6
Quarter deck, 22 guns, 32 ~ 42 cwt.
Forecastle, 1 gun, 68 ~ 95 cwt. ), 8 0
,) 10 0