The Sun.
London, England, 1838-11-05 00:00:00

CASE of the NAVAL LIEUTENANTS

To the Most Noble, the Right Honourable, and the Hon-
ourable Commissioners appointed by our Most Illustrious
and benevolent Quen, " to inquire into the several modes
of Promotion and Retirement, now authorised and granted
to the Officers of her Majesty's Naval and Military Forces,
for ascertaining the comparative situation of the Officers in
each branch, and for reporting whether, due regard being
had to economy and to the efficiency of the Service, it may
be practicable and expedient to make any, and what changes
in the present system."
TILE MEMORIAL OF THE LIEUTENANTS OF HER MAJASTY'S FLEET.
MOST HUMBLY SHE WETII—
That. your memorialists 1)z leave most gratefully to express
their gratitude for the benevolent intentions of her moat gra-
cious Majesty, in the appointment of your Right Hon. Board,
upon vi hose impartial consideration of their various grievances
they rely with entire confidence.
Your memorialists complain that they possess no right to
promotion, let their services be ever so long or brilliant ; nor
can they claim employment, be their abilities ever so efficient.
Coronation and general promotions, so far from being a benefit,
have proved the fruitful source of extensive annoyance ; in
fact, the naval officer is the only servant of the Crown who is
unable to maintain a right, or claim a privilege; whereas the
captains in the army, who do not purchase their commissions,
have constantly in view the rank of General Officer, of which
nothing can deprive them but the visitation of Almighty God ;
and their rights and privileges are so clearly defined as to
defy mistake.

Your memorialists also complain of the anomalies attached
to their retirement; only the first hundred upon the list
of Lieutenants, out of 3,159, are allowed to retire with the
rank of Commander, the junior of whom had held his com-
mission 42 years, independent of previous servitude—some
for long periods of rears in the inferior grades; and they
are amongst the oldest officers in the navy, not even ex-
cepting the flags; yet they receive the smallest half-pay
given to any commander, less than the youngest brevet
Major ; and their widows receive 101. per annum less pension
than either.
By the King's Order in Council of the Ist. November,
1830, it was provided that 300 of the senior Lieutenants
might retire with the rank of Commander ; but only 179
have availed themselves of this extraordinary boon, the junior
of whom has been 33 years upon the list of Lieutenants,
besides previous servitude in the inferior grades. These
179 officers still continue upon the half-pay list of Lieute-
nants, thereby depriving 358 Lieutenants of ls. per diem,
directed to be paid by the King's Order in Council at the
close of the war. These retired Commanders receive the half-
pay of the youngest Captains in the army, and their widows
201. per annum less than the brevet Major. It has been
assumed by men in authority, that these retired Commanders
obtained what they asked for, viz , rank, without pay—this
we deny and challenge proof. Out of the next 800 Lieu-
tenants, there is only one employed in the line for promo.
tion. During the whole of the war the commands of small
vessels were always given to old officers, and your memorialists
could name a goodly list of those who obtained promotion for
the successful discharge of their duties while so employed.
Of this advantage the old war officers have been deprived,
during the last six years; besides which, the Lieutenants in
command have been deprived of one-half of their emolument, li
without one single penny as an equivalent.
The comparative situation of your memorialists with their
own rank in the army is so anomalous, that it could not be
accredited without examination. The Naval Lieutenant is
constantly upon guard—the safety of the ship and lives of the
crew depend nightly upon his watchful eye and ever-ready
resources, which experience alone can afford in the moment
of difficulty. When he requires leave of absence from sea-
going ships, he must go upon half-pay ;if overtaken by dis-
ease—the effects of excessive duty in a sickly climate—he is
immediately in' elided upon half-pay, and must incur consider-
able expense ; when in action, or shipwrecked, with the loss
of everything, he is not remunerated nor paid one penny for
his loss; when recovered, it may be years before he can get
another ship—if an old officer, never. He is unable to pro-
vide for a son in his own profession from the great expense
and the insuperable difficulties he has to contend with in ob-
taining for him a commission, and his deprivation of his gra-
tuitous education and clothing at the Naval College.
For many generations naval officers suffered a deduction of
threepence out of every twenty shillings received from the
Government, whether upon full or half-pay, to be appro-
pi iated exclusively to a pension for their widows ; this deduc-
tion has been discontinued ; but the lieutenant must be ten
complete years as such before his widow can receive one
penny, even should he die whilst employed in the most un-
healthy climates. It becomes important, then, that the
navy should have some statement of this accumulated
wealth, and know how it has been expended; for the captains
in the army, who do not purchase their commissions, never
subscribe one shilling for a pension to their widows, nor
undergo one day's probation to entitle them to it.
Captains in the army can always be upon tull pay, and ob-
tain one, two, or three years' leave of absence at a time,
enjoying their full pay ; and when returning from our colo-
nies, through ill health, their comforts are attended to,
without expense on their parts ; every loss by battle or ship-
wreck is fully paid for; with very little difficulty, compara-
tively, they can obtain commissions, in their own corps, for
sons who may be qualified; end if obliged to retire from the
service for a few years, they can return to it again, with the
advantage of every brevet which has taken place during their

absence.
The full as well as the half-pay of Naval Lieutenants is di-
vided into three classes, viz., when first of line-of-battle ships
1501. per annum ; all others, 1201. ; and when serving with a
flag, 6d. per diem, flag pay ; when employed in civil depart-
s of the navy, 2001. per annum is about the maximum ;
whereas
Innt
the Captain of the Marine Artillery, with the rank
of Brevet-Major, when embarked on board a line-of-battle
ship, will receive 237/. ; when the First Lieutenant of the Ma-
rineyears' standing. is embarked on board a
" Artillery, seven
frigate,
he receives 1431 ; the Naval First Lieutenant of the
,ame ship, his superior officer, only 1201. ; Captains of Ma-
rines, who hold the situations of Ass;stant Deputy Adjutant-
General, receive 5381. ; Paymaster, 4281 ; Barrack-matter,
3191. ; First Lieutenants of the Marine Artillery, whe,i above
seven years' standing, receive as Adjutants 2621. ; Quarter-
malters, 2281. All Captains in the Army of 1825 are Brevet
M ajors.
Captains of Marines have received honorary distinctions for
their services in the navy—the naval lieutenants, their equals
in rank, and seniors on board ship, never.
With respect to half-pay, the first class, whose junior is of
thirty-three years standing, only receive 7s. per diem ; the
second class, whose junior is twenty-six years' standing, receive
6s. ; the remainder ss. many of them after a servitude of
twenty years as midshipman and mate.
Your memorialists will not enter into the details of the
many minor grievances to which they are subject, but conclude
with a hope that your Right Honourable Board will be im-
pressed with the belief that the true efficiency and economy
of the natal service can never exist apart from justice ; and they
humbly pray that the Lieutenants of her Maiesty's navy may be

placed in all respects on an equality with officers of the rank
in the Royal Marines, Artillery, and Engineers.
And your memorialists will ever pray.

At a numerous meeting of Lieutenants of the Royal Navy,
held at Devenport, on the 30rh of October, 1638, George
Field, Somerville, Esq., Lieut., R.N., in the chair.
Moved by Chas. M'Kenzie, Lieut., 40 years, seconded by
Lieut. Digby :
It was resolved—That as our illustrious and benevolent
Queen has, in her Majesty's wisdom, seen fit to. appoint a
Commission to inquire into the several modes of promotion,
retirement, and comparative situation of each branch of her
naval and military forces, it therefore becomes the duty of the
naval Lieutenants to furnish the Commission, by memorial,
with a statement of their most prominent grievances.
Moved by Lieutenant W. H. Symons, senior mate of
Lord Nelson's ship at Trafalgar; Seconded by Lieutenant
R. Coates:—
It was also resolved—That the memorial now laid before
the meeting he adoped, as calculated to attain the objects we
have in view ;---that printed copies be transmitted, by our
Chairman, to the Right Hon. the Earl of Minto, G. C. 8., and
to each of the other Commissioners of the Admiralty, re-
spectfully and earnestly soliciting their Lordships' support of
its prayer.
That the Chairman be requested to transmit to the Secre-
tary of the Commission, as soon as convenient, a copy of the
n;emorial, signed by himself, in behalf of our brother officers
who may approve of it by their signatures.
That printed copies be circulated amongst our brethren as
freely as possible ; and that the memorial, so signed, be pre-
sented to the Commission by the Lieutenant who may be
summoned before them for examination.
Several Lieutenants who assisted in the battle of Trafalgar,
were present.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

NEWMARKET TJOUGHTON MEETING.

SATURDAY.-CONCLUDED.
Owing to the coldness of the weather, the attendance was less
numerous than on the two preceding days; the sport, however,
which consisted solely of matches, was excellent. The following
are particulars :-
Match, 100. T. Y. C.-Duke of Richmond's Guava, a feather
(Howlett), beat Mr. Thornhill's Sainfoin, 9st.
Betting-2 to lon Saintfoin, who WAS never able to reach the
filly, and was beaten in a canter by four lengths. Howlett rode
something near four stone, making a difference of five stone, both
being of tins. same year.
Match, 500, p.p. T.M.M.-Lord Suffield's Caravan, Bst. 101 b.
(Robinson), beat Lord G. Bentinck's Grey Momus, 7st. 91b.
Betting-Grey Momus had the call at first, but his friends were
so unusually shy that the market turned, and in the end 2 to 1 was
laid on Caravan, with few takers. The race admits of no detail,
for Caravan had won it in the first quarter of a mile, and passed the
chair ten lengths a-head. It was clear that the rey was not up
to the mark.
Match, 200, h. ft. First half or Ab. M.
Mr. Rayner's Minima, Bst. 91b Robinson 0
Duke of Richmond's Vave of Belvoir, Bst. 31b 0
Betting-5 to 4on Minima ; a beautifully contested race ended in
a dead heat.
Match, 50. T. Y.C.-Mr. Bond's Maid of the Mill, 7st. 41b.
(Pavis), beat Major Graham's Bodice, 7st. 111 b.
Betting-7 to 2on Maid of the Mill, who took the lead, kept it,
and won in a canter by two lengths.
Match, 50. A. F.-Mr. Rayner's Quo Minus, Bst. 51b. (Ro-
binson), beat Mr. Shelley's Bay Hampton, 7st. 121 b.
Betting-3 and 4tol on Quo Minus, who waited into the Dip,
went up, and won easy.
Match, 25. T. Y.C.-Mr. Newton's Vacuna, Bst. 71b. (Robin-
son), beat Lord G. Bentinck's Ratsbane, Brother to Muley Moloch
Bst. 41b.
Betting-Even on Vacuna, who won by a head, after a splendid
race. •
Match, 25. D.M.-Mr. Bond's Sir Felix, Bst. 101 b. (Pavis),
beat Major Graham's Bodice, 9st. 51b.
Betting-5 to 2on Sir Felix ; a good race between two bad
horses, and won by a neck only.
Match, 25. I'. Y. C.-Captain Berkeley's Hilda, Bst. 61b.
(Pavis. beat Mr. Bruce's Retaliator, Bst. 101 b.
Betting-3 to lon Hilda, who won in a canter.
The Gunton Stakes of 200 sovs. each, h. ft. ; colts, tist. 71b ; and
fillies, Bst. 51b. Criterion Stakes Course. 6 Subs.
Duke of Richmond's hr. f. Reel, Bulwark, and Vale of Belvoir,
received from Lord Suffield's Marie, Alan, and Sphynx.
Match, 50. A.F.-Mr. Shelley's Paraguay, Bst. 51b., received
forfeit from Mr. Adams's Anne, 7st. 1011)7
Match, 50. D. M. Bst. 71b. each.-Colonel Peel's Paganini re-
ceived forfeit from Mr. Ford's Quo Minus.
FRIDAY.
The matches were won so easy as to render any additional parti-
culars unnecessary.
The Nursery Stakes (confessedly one of the best handicaps ever
known), and the Audley End Stakes, require a few details.
Nursery Stakes.-After an immense number of false starts, Re-
trospect, Drogheda, and Alms, went off in front, Retrospect lead-
ing, and the rest lying as close up as possible, They continued in
this order to the end, Retrospect winning by a head, and Drogheda
and Alms making a dead heat for second place. Bustle was not
more than a head behind these two, and defeated Hyllus by a neck
only. Marchesa was close behind, and Lord Lichfield's two beaten
off. This, we believe, is the first race Mr. Newton has won, al-
though he has kept horses for a great number of years.
Audley End Stakes.-Adrian made play at his best pace to the
turn of the lands, where Joannina took the lead from him, followed
by Morella at a respectful distance, had all the rest of the race to
herself, and won by three lengths, hard held; very definite tailing
behind her.
The Derby betting after the races was quite brisk at the follow-
ing prices:-
10 to 1 agst Lord Jersey's Brother to Bay Middleton
17 to 1 agst Lord Jersey's Ilderim
17 to 1 agst Mr. Wreford's Westonian
17 to 1 agst Duke of Rutland's Flambeau
25 to 1 agst Lord Lichfield's Gulnare colt-taken
25 to 1 agst Duke of Richmond's Bulwark
25 to 1 agst 'Mr. Boyce's Boz
30 to 1 agst Mr. Bowes's Accelerator-taken
30 to 1 agst Mr. Worrell's Antler-taken
30 to 1 agst Lord Chesterfield's Bloomsbury
33 to 1 agst Lord Suffield's Vernon
50 to 1 agst Mr. Batson's Brother to Plenipo
3000 to 60 agst Mr. Allen's Fitz-Ambo-taken
1000 to 15 agst Mr. Mostyn's Hugh Lupus-taken several times
1000 to 15 agst Mr. Wreford's Wapite-taken very freely
1000 to 15 agst each of Sir G. Heathcote's three, in one bet-taken
1000 to 15 agst Duke of Grafton's Tontine-taken
1000 to 10 agst Mr. F. Craven's Deception
1000 to 10 agst Duke of Grafton's Courier-taken
15000 to 31 agst Mr. Osbaldeston's Alexandrina-taken
6000 to 150 was taken about Hugh Lupus in the early part of the
week.
The weather was cold and gloomy, with one or two slight
showers ; on the whole, however, it was tolerably favourable ; the
company was large, and the sport plentiful enough to satisfy a glutton.