The Sun.
London, England, 1853-04-30 00:00:00

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

Mr. W. M. Rice, now master shipwright at Pembroke
Dockyard, has been appointed to the vacancy at Wool-
wich caused by the decease of Mr. Oliver Lang, and Mr
C. W. Lang has been nominated to Pembroke. We
believe that these appointments will give satisfaction not
only to the public, but to all who are officially connected
with these gentlemen.
The Rev. W. L. Onslow has received his appointment
as chaplain and naval instructor to the Duke of Wel-
lington at Portsmouth.
The Argus and Basilisk, steamers, are ordered to pre-
pare to accompany the Leander to New York. The
Basilisk is commanded by the son of the Earl of Elles-
mere.

PORTSMOUTH, APRIL 29

The Queen and Court are expected to arrive here to
morrow en route to Osborne. Lord Adolphus Fitz
clarence will be in attendance on her Majesty, and hoist
his broad pendant on board the Royal yacht.
The Odin, 16, paddle, Captain Francis Scott, returned
to Spithead last evening, having gone across the bay as
far as Vigo. We are happy to report that the voyage
has shaken off the sickness on board. Her machinery
will want overhauling, and she will come into harbour
for such purpose.
The Conflict, 8, screw, has landed her ordinary pro-
peller, and taken on board one of Boomerang construc-
tion, which does not appear to be of more than one-third
the weight. She will fit this to-morrow, and on Monday
try its merits at the measure mile.
The London, 90, Captain Charles Ede, will require
caulking her topsides, which will be done at Spithead.
We understand she is fearfully short of hands.
The Vulcan, 6 (screw iron troop-frigate), Commander
Von Donop, will be paid wages to-morrow (Saturday) ;
her crew to be granted a few days' leave of absence.—
Qy. How many will return ?
The African, steam-tug, came into harbour this morn-
ing from Sheerness with volunteers for the ships at this
port, having landed which, she steamed on with others
to Devonport.
The Carysfort, old 26, has been brought down the
harbour to-day, and is to be fitted as a receiving ship
for the workmen and artificers employed in the defences
at Scores Point, Isle of Wight.
Hastings, 72, Captain F. W. Austen, has landed her
guns, besides 60 condemned and sent home by her.
This has been a bad working day in discharging her
stores, the rain coming down in torrents. She is ex-
pected to be clear, and will pay off, on Wednesday
next. Prince Ernest of Leiningen, nephew of her
Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, who left England
some three years since as midshipman on board the Fox,
frigate, came home in the Hastings, to which ship he
has been attached the last two years. The Prince was
present, with other officers, at the first attack on Prome,
and in subsequent boat expeditions up the river. On
one occasion the Prince had a very narrow escape, the
enemy's shot passing between him and the cockswain.
He was a general favourite on board. Prince Edward
of Saxe Wiemar, who was staying with his noble rela-
tive the Duke of Richmond at Goodwood, left there to
meet the Prince at the Royal George Hotel, at this port,
on Wednesday last, after which the Prince Leiningen
proceeded on a visit to her Majesty, at Buckingham
Palace, and will doubtless accompany his august aunt to
the Royal Palace at Osborne. We had much pleasure
in noticing the kindly and gentlemanly feeling that ex-
isted amongst the officers of the Hastings, as well as the
efficiency and excellent discipline of the crew. Our
remarks are fully borne out by the following official
document, which attracted our attention in the ward-
room, and, as our memory is retentive, we give as
nearly as we can what we had much pleasure in notic
ing

" H.M.S. Victory, Portsmouth Harbour,
April 21, 1853.
" Sir,—With reference to the report of the ' Preparation
for Battle' of her Majesty's ship Hastings, under your com-
mand, I have great pleasure in acquainting you that my
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have expressed to
me their satisfaction in receiving so favourable a report of
the highly creditable state of the Hastings.
(Signed) " THOS. COCHRANE,
Vice Admiral, Commander-in-Chief.
" To Captain F. W. Austen,
Her Majesty's ship Hastings."

The Gorgon, 6, paddle, has hauled over to the north
side of the steam basin, where she will receive her guns