The Sun.
London, England, 1849-03-28 00:00:00

APPOINTMENTS.

Assistant Surgeons—John W. Reed, to Plymouth
Hospital; and Dr. James Rae, to the North Star, disco-
very ship, fitting at Sheerness.

. „
Second Masters—J. W. H. Harvey, to the Ocean, flag-
ship, at Sheerness; 11. B. Gamier, to the North Star.
Clerk—F. J. Rutter, to the North Star.

Midshipman—Albert Dent, to the Trincomalee, 25, in
the West Indies.

Master's Assistant—J. F. R. Aylen, to the North Star.
Gunner—J. G. Twine, to the North Star.

LAUNCH OF TILE ARCIER STEAM-VESSELL.

DEPTFORD, DIARCII 27.—The keel of the Archer was
laid down at Deptford Dockyard on the 18th Oct., 1847,
and the vessel was built under the superintendence
of Mr. Willcox, master shipwright, from a plan by Cap-
tain Lord John Hay, C. 13., ono of the Lords of the Ad-
miralty. She was originally intended to have engines
of 250-horse power, but subsequent experiments having
shown that vessels fitted with screw propellers have at-
tained a considerable proportionate speed with engines
of less power, it has been decided that she is to be fitted
with the engines, of 202-horse power, taken out of the
Rifleman steam-vessel. The change of the engines gives
her a greater space in the hold by IBft. than could have
been attained with the original engines of 250-horse
power, and they aro now to be fitted to the Boratio at
Chatham. The less weight of the engines of the Rifle-
man will enable the Archer to carry a greater armament,
and instead of one 68• pounder of 95 cwt. and 10 ft. long,
ono 10 inch gun, 85 cwt. 9 ft. 4 in. long, and two 32
pounder guns of 25 cwt., 6 ft. long, she is to mount two
68-pounders of 87 cwt., and twelve 32-pounders
of 42 cwt, and may be used as a troop-ship,
having every convenience for the accommodation of 400
troops in addition to her crew. The preparations for
the launch having been completed, and the tide being
nearly high water at half-past three o'clock P.M. to-day,
that hour was appointed, and a great concourse of spec-
tators were admitted to witness the ceremony. Captain
Sir John Hill, superintendent of the dockyard; Mr.
WillcOx, master shipwright; Commander Willcox, Mr.
Alderman Sidney, and a number of ladies and gentle-
men assembled on the platform constructed at the bows
of the vessel, at a quarter past three o'clock, and a bottle
of wine having been opened, Mrs. Sidney, wife of Mr.
Alderman Sidney, drank success to the Archer, and then
broke the bottle on the bows of the vessel. In a few
minutes after the Archer glided into her future element,
cheered by the assembled spectators. The Monkey then
took her in tow to take her to Woolwich, to be fitted with
her engines.
The following are the dimensions of the Archer:—
Ft. in.
Length of tonnage ... 186 4
Length of keel for tonnage 162 7
Breadth extreme 33 to
Breadth for tonnage ... ••• 36 61
Breadth moulded ..• ••• 32 to
Depth in hold ... ••• ••• 18 11
..•
Burden in tons, old 973 22-94
Burden in toes, new ..• ... 706 69

MELAscnorx ACCIDENT.-- Colour-Sergeant T.
Smith, Captain Harrison's company, 11th battalion,
Royal
lArtillery, stationed at Languard Fort, near liar-
Wictr, went out to walk on Saturday afternoon the 17th
instant, and as it was dark when on his return, it is sup-
posed he bad slipped and fallen down a bank fifteen feet
high into the mud of a ditch at the bottom, the body
when found the next day having the appearance of death
by suffocation. A coroner's inquest was held on the fol-
lowing Monday, and a verdict of " Accidental Death"
returned. The funeral took place on Wednesday, the
21st instant. The coffin was mounted on a platform
erected on a gun-carriage, drawn by two horses, pre-
ceded by a sergeant's firing party, and followed by the
remainder of the company. The body was interred at
Walton-on-the-Naze, and between 300 and 400 of the
country people assembled to witness the spectacle of a
military funeral in that retired district. The deceased
was within three months of having served his full time,
and was considered a most steady and trustworthy non-
commissioned officer.
STATE OF TRADE.—MANCTIESTER.—There was not
much alteration in the market yesterday, the depression
of last week still continuing. Little disposition was ma-
nifested by buyers to enter into fresh engagements. The
continued unsettled state of the Continent is the chief
reason assigned for this holding back. In the ware-
houses there has not been much business transacted, and
generally, where sales to much extent have been made,
they have been at a slight reduction of last week's prices.
This has been the case with shirtings and printed cloths
to a greater extent than some other goods. Yarns may
be also quoted as lower where business is really trans-
acted. But as the spinners are yet well employed, and
the business really done at the reduced rates is exceed-
ingly limited, prices are more nominal than real. The
depression in the continental department is more felt at
the present time, on account of this being the season
when their orders are most numerous and important,
There is no doubt, however, that the rapid advance
which some time since took place in the price of cotton
has had the tuo,t depressing effect ou the general state
of the market. kiliould there be, however, a reaction in
the price of the raw material, with the large demand
which there is from the 'United States, there ie little
doubt bet 3 page TtiA soon b 9