The Sun.
London, England, 1854-07-10 00:00:00

THE TROOP SHIPS.

SOUTHAMPTON, Saturday.—To-day the various ships
belonging to the mail companies connected with this
port have undergone a most rigid inspection by Captain
Milne, superintendent of the transport service, and Sir
Baldin Walker, Surveyor of the Navy. Some time was
spent in the survey of the Himalaya, and so satisfied
were the gentlemen of her very great use in the convey-
ance of troops, either infantry or cavalry, that we under-
stand it i 3 most probable that she will shortly become
the property of the Government. This fine ship went
into the graving dock this morning, where her outside
has since undergone a thorough cleaning. Since the
water has left her she has been visited by a large num-
ber of persons, most_ of whom had never before the
opportunity of viewing this leviathan when " high and
dry."
Considering the many thousand miles she has steamed
since she was launched, her bottom was comparatively
clean, riot a barnacle being attached to the few weeds
that adhered to her hull. These have been carefully
scraped off, and she is now being coated with Peacock
and Buchan's patent composition. When she left the
stocks in Mr. Mare's yard, at Blackwall, she had merely
a coating of red lead, which, however, has stood un-
commonly well.

This stupendous ship was docked without the slight-
est difficulty, and, by slewing her rudder a foot or 18
inches, there was just room for her.
It will be satisfactory to many of our readers to
know that the Himalaya has not received the slightest
injury from her unfortunate accident in getting on shore
off Sconce Point ; in short, so little impression was made
upon the vessel, that the fact of her having been aground
was not noticeable to an ordinary spectator. Captain
Claxton, who is superintending the construction of the
leviathan ship now building for the Eastern Steam
Navigation Company, was amongst the gentlemen who
have this day inspected the Himalaya.
As it is arranged that the Himalaya is again to pro-
ceed to the Black Sea with cavalry, there is nothing to
describe, in reference to her fittings, she still remaining
in the same state as during her previous voyage from
Cork with a regiment of Dragoon Guards.
It is understood that she will embark her freight at
Plymouth, and will leave the docks for that port on Sa-
turday next.
The Himalaya has been victualled by the Messrs.
Cooksey, merchants of this town, who are also in
treaty for providing with necessary stores other ships
about to be employed in the transmission of troops.
The Peninsular and Oriental Company's fine screw-
ship Simla, of 2,600 tons burden, and 600-horse power,
has been chartered by the Government. This ship will
also be employed in the conveyance of cavalry, and
extensive alterations are rapidly taking place on board.
It is presumed that she will be able to carry nearly as
large a number of men and horses as the Himalaya, but
her exact capabilities have hardly yet been ascertained.
This ship also leaves on Saturday next for Liverpool.
The screw-ship, Colombo, of 1,800 tons burden, and
450-horse power, also belonging to the above company,
is ordered to be ready for sea by Saturday next. It is
understood that she will convey infantry, but her in-
tended destination is not yet known.

The auxiliary screw steam-ship Rajah, of 600 tons and
60-horse power, is ordered to convey troops and stores.
It is presumed that she will take a voyage to the Baltic
Sea, and will take her departure on Saturday next.
The Manilla (screw), which is advertised to take her
departure for Constantinople on the 15th inst., will con-
vey about 100 tons of ammunition for Government uses
to that port.
The Royal Mail Company's steam-ships Avon and
Orinoco (paddle) are also getting ready for sea. The
latter of these ves,els, which has already proved of such
great service in the disposal of troops, will leave on Mon-
day for Portsmouth. The Avon is ordered to be ready
during the week, and will probably take her departure
on Saturday.
There is no information which may be deemed authen-
tic respecting the various troops which are to be con-
veyed by these ships. It is rumoured that the Simla
will have the charge of the Scots Greys ; but no actual
arrangement has yet been made.