The Sun.
London, England, 1854-11-01 00:00:00

THE FLOATING BATTERIES.

It is stated that Government has entered into a con-
tract for the manufacture of about 2,000 tons (worth
50,0001.) of enormous slabs or plates made of the best
scrap iron, with which powerful floating batteries are to
be covered, so as effectually to render them proof against
the heaviest shot the Russians can throw. These plates
vary from II to 12 feet in length, are from 21 to 36 inches
broad, and about 4i inches thick. Each plate will weigh
from about a ton and a half to upwards of three tons ;
and, after being fitted, they are to be bolted to the out-
side of the floating batteries. From experiments it ap-
pears that iron plates of the scantling here mentioned
not only resist the heaviest shot, but break them in pieces
when they strike. So urgent are the authorities to have
the batteries ready for active operations against Russia
in the spring, that the contract has been divided amongst
the principal makers in GLAsgow, Newcastle, Low Moor,
and other places in the north of England.
The death of Rear-Admiral John Leith promotes
Capt. Wm. Conway Courtenay, superintendent of the
Royal Victualling Yard at Gosport, and Naval Hospi-
t2.l at Haslar, to the rank of rear-admiral, and makes
those appointments vacant.
Capt. Kellett is spoken of as to succeed Capt. Austen
iL the Admiralty Packet-office, at Southampton.

The officers and men of the Royal Clarence Victual-
ling Establishment, Gosport, under the superintendence
of Capt. Courtenay, have each subscribed handsomely
towards the Patriotic Fund. The staff of the establish.
ment is but a small one, but up to yesterday upwards of
241. was put down. The officers and men of the Royal
Naval Hospital Establishment at Hashir, also under the
superintendence of Capt. Courtenay, have in like man,.
rer subscribed a day's pay towards the fund. By the
death of Rear-Admiral John Leith, the command of
troth these important naval posts becomes vacant, Cap-
ttin-Superintendent Courtenay having attained his flag.
Re will leave a general feeling of regret behind. The
Clarence-yard is in full operation night and day to meet
tie demands of the war. There were upwards of 14,500
tags of biscuit alone in store yesterday. The I,Valmer
Castle, hired transport, was completedyesterday with a
full cargo of victualling supplies from Clarence stores
for the depot at Malta, and the Robert Small arrived
yesterday and commenced loading with a similar cargo
for the same destination.

MILITARY.
DESPATCH OF TROOPS von THE EAST. Colonel
Scott is expected here from Manchester for the purpose
of inspecting the steamers Ottowa and Cleopatra, be-
longing to the Canadian Steam- Navigation Company,
which have been fitted up by Mr. John Laird, of Bir,
kenhead, for the conveyance of troops to the seat of
war in the East. The Cleopatra will take out about
650 troops, besides officers ; and the Ottawa will have
accommodation for 550 men, in addition to officers,
oth steamers have bac een
commodation fitted up in
that wi a very
ll sup
sure
erior
manner, affording i
both comfort and health to the troops on the voyage.
Should the whole of the ordnance stores arrive here by
Thersday, the troops, who will be made up of detachments