The Sun.
London, England, 1854-10-20 00:00:00

ADMIRALTY PROMOTIONS.

A commander of the White Sea squadron, a commander
of the Baltic fleet, a commander of the Coast of Africa
squadron, and a commander on half-pay, have been pro-
moted to the rank of captain.
The first is Captain F. B. P. Seymour (1847). This
officer is the youngest son of the late Sir Horace Seymour,
and nephew of Admiral Sir G. Seymour. He entered the
navy in IS3I, was promoted in 1812, and was promoted
from flag lieutenant to Sir G. Seymour. He is brother-in-
law to Lord Spencer, who holds a high position in the
Royal household. Captain Seymour has commanded the
Brisk, 15, screw, in the West Indies and in the White Sea
squadron.
Captain Wodehouse is the son of the Hon. aid Rev. W.
Wodehouse. He entered the navy in 1823, served as a
midshipman at the battle of Navarin, was promoted in
1833, was made a commander in 1844, served in command
of the Phoenix, screw sloop, coast of Africa, and since Feb-
' ruary, 1851, has commanded the Rosamond, 6, paddle, in
the Baltic.
Captain the Hon. John W. S. Spencer (1847) is sixth
son of Lord Churchill. He entered the navy in 1830, was
made a lieutenant in 1841, was promoted from flag lieu-
tenant to Rear-Admiral Superintendent Hyde Parker, and
commanded the Contest, 12, for three years in Chins.
Captain Macdonald (1848) is the nephew of the Earl of
Mount Edgcumbe, brother-in-law of the Hon. Charles Cust
and the Hon. and Rev. A. Wodekouse. He entered the
navy in 1833, was made a lieutenant in 1842, was pro-
moted to the rank of commander from flag lieutenant to
Sir G. Seymour in the Pacific, and has commanded the
Ferret, 8, on the coast of Africa, since June, 1852.
It will be seen that all the lucky officers promoted are
connections of noble families; and it would really appear,
from a record of their career, that such relationships form
the chief if not the sole recommendation to the First Lord
of the Admiralty for their advancement. With the ex-
ception of Capt. Wodehonse (who is an old officer compara-
tively, and to whose promotion no service objection can be
raised) those officers entered the service in 1830 and 1833.
We look in vain for their services as mates, and we are
equally at a loss to find out when and where they have
done dtyas lieutenants. The fact is, they are all flag
promotions,
and consequently their experience as seamen
and as officers in command of men is small indeed. Doubt-
less they have served their time as commanders, and have
got through their probationary term with credit to them-
selves; but we contend that other qualifications are neces-
sary than the more preference to a command for two or
three years, and some service of distinction should have
been performed to entitle these officers to be promoted
over the heads of hundreds of their seniors of longer ser-
vitude in all ranks, of much greater experience as com-
manders, but of more humble and loss fortunate connec-

tions.
If the commencement of a war is to be marked by such
promotions as these, good bye to all esprit in the navy.
We are the last to complain of the promotion of officers of
aiistooratic connections wore their service claims superior
to their seniors. We know that there are on the list seve-
ral gallant and distinguished officers, even connections of
noble families, who have been most unjustly and invidi-
oP4v rcpt back. What we pretest against is the undue
preference given t.o those officers who have no superior ser-
',-e claims to iustify their premature aclyanceuient,...
Marntltg AC"'

The Calcutta, 84, Captain J. J. Stopford, in Plymouth
Sound, it is reportodl, will make up her complement and
proceed to the West Indies.
The Colossus, 80, screw-ship, Captain Robinson, sailed
yesterday for the West Indies. The men turned over
to her from the Aja,...c were paid wages yesterday.
The Cumberland, 70, Capt. Seymour, arrived at Chat-
ham on Wodnesday„ and was moored opposite the dock-
yard to be paid off. At five o'clock on the morning of
the 17th inst., previous to the ship entering the Med-
way river, a report was announced that a man was over-
board ; instantly a boat was manned, and help sent to
his rescue, and fortunately he was picked up in a very
faint condition. The person proved to be the fourth
lieutenant of the ship, Lieut. L. G. B. HaMilton. He
was found with his -throat cut, and also cut in both his
arms. He was talcen on board, and all he could say
was, " Why did you not let me die !" During the time
the crew went to tb.ktir breakfast he took the opportunity
of going from his c;abin to the portable gallery, where he
committed the act 'with a razor.
The Swallow, 8, verew-sloop, Commander Crauford, and
the Harrier, 16, screw sloop, Commander Story, had their
compasses swung yesterday, after which the Swallow
went out of harbour, and anchored at Spithead.
The Edmondsbury transport was towed out of harbour,
and sailed to day for the Black Sea, laden with provisions.
The Fairy, screw yacht, arrived yesterday at Ports-
mouth, from Hull, where she had been in attendance on
her Majesty.
The ships in Portsmouth harbour made preparations yes-
terday to strike lower yards and topmasts for the winter.

DEAL, OCT. 19.
In Downs—The French lino-of-battle ship Tage,
from the Baltic.

APPOINTMENTS.
Clerk in Charge—John Freshfield (1847), to the Rhada-
manthus, paddle-wheel steam store-vessel, at Deptford.
Second Master—Adolphe E. Parks (1853 ), from the Mi-
randa, screw steam corvette, to the Wrangler, screw steam
despatch gunboat, on her return from the Baltic.
Clerk—Edward W. M. Millman (paymaster of 1854),
to the Ajax, 60, screw steam-ship, at Cork ; David L.
Mind (1851), to the Nankin, 50, at Chatham. •
Clerk's Assistant—Arthur 11. Gore, to the Curacoa,
30, screw steam-frigate, at Portsmouth.

PROMO rioNs,
Commanders—Frederick B. P. Seymour (1847), at
present counandiAg; the Brisk, 14, screw steam-sloop,
employed on particular service ; George Wodehouse
(1844), in command of the Rosamond, paddle-wheel
steam-sloop, serving in the Baltic ; Hon. John W. S.
Spencer (1847), and Reginald J. J. G. INl'Donald (1848),
in command of.the Ferret, 8, sloop, on the west coast of
Africa station, have been promoted to the rank of cap-
tain.

The Wrangler, screw gun-boat, arrived at daylight
yesterday morning at Portsmouth from the Baltic. She
came into harbour, and is expected to be sent to the
Black Sea.

TRIAL OF THE TARTAR.
WOOLWICH, Oct. 19.—The Tartar, 21, screw steam-
corvette, in charge of Mr. Pym, additional master of the
Black Eagle, steam-vessel, was taken out of the basin at
Woolwich on Wednesday morning, and started for Chat-
ham at 10.30 a.m., having Mr. Henry Maudslay on
board, to superintend the working of the engines on
their fist trial. In consequence of her light draught,
10 feet 3 inches forward, and 14 feet 3 inches aft, the
number of revolutions (sixty-five) she ought to make
when at the deep load line were increased and made
sixty-eight to seventy-One per minute, and no hot bear:
ings occurred, the engines, of 250 horse power, work-
ing smoothly and satisfactorily, and producing an ave-
rage speed of ten-and-a-half knots per hour. The
engines, by Maudslay, Sons, and Field, are on the hori-
zontal cylinder double piston rod direct acting principle,
the cylinders being fifty-one inches diameter, and the
stroke two feet three inches. She ran down nearly as
far as the Mouse Light, and then turned and went up
to Chatham, where she arrived at four o'clock p.m.
When rounding the Nore, the Monkey, in attendance
upon her, was about six or seven miles astern.
The Rhidamanthus paddle-wheel steam store ♦essel,
Master-Commander John Bolan*, has now completed
taking on board a cargo of provisions, and has been
placed under orders to proceed to the Baltic with a sup-
ply for the fleet.