The Sun.
London, England, 1849-01-09 00:00:00

NA VAL INTELLIGENCE.

PORTSMOUTH, SUNDAY.—The Centaur, steam-frigate,
Captain Buckle, is being expedited for sea as fast as
possible. A detachment of Royal Marino Artillery,
consisting of 1 subaltern, 1 sergeant, 1 corporal, 1
bugler, and 35 gunners, have been drafted for her.
Much surprise is expressed that the packet brings no
news of Sir Charles Napier's squadron. A rumour has
been some days current both in and outside the dock-
yard that the Plumper screw-schooner is lost. We re-
commend all whom it may concern to place no reliance
whatever on such a painful supposition. As no news
has as yet been received from Sir Charles Napier's
squadron, nor any of the ships spoken with or sighted,
so no intelligence could possibly have been received of
such a catastrophe as that reported.
Extract of a letter describing the late awful gale at
Malta, Dec. 1 :

" On the 27th it blew a terrific gale from the N.E.,
which continued until the evening of the 28th. Such a
gale has not been experienced at Malta for many years.
I have not heard the exact amount of damage, but two or
three vessels lying in Bighi-bay foundered at their
anchors, and several more went on shore. The only
lives I believe lost were by the upsetting of a boat be-
longing to an English brig, out of which three men were
drowned. Those who know Malta will be able to judge
of the violence of the gale from the fact that almost half
of the lower battery of Fort St. Angelo has been washed
away. The harbour was filled with pieces of wreck, and
also with sponges, rammers, beds, and quoins, from the
batteries, &c. Large seas broke completely over Fort
Ricasali. It was really a magnificent sight to those not
in danger."
Wind N.W., light winds and hazy weather.
MONDAY.—There aro no naval movements here to-
day. The wind changed from E. and N.E. to S.E., and
ultimately to S. half W. Several ships are daily ex-
pected, the President, Nothumberland, Espiegle, and
Rapid amongst others.
By the Brazil mail we are informed of the arrival at
Rio, on the 16th of November, of the Tweed, 14, Com-
mander Lord F. Russell; and of the Inconstant, 36, Cap-
tain Shepherd, nut having sailed thenco for Valparaiso.
The Arrogant, 46, now screw-frigate, is expected
round from Woolwich daily, to be commissioned by
Captain R. Fitzroy, the late Governor of New Zealand.
It has been asserted that this frigate must not hoist the
pendant until the President, 50 (daily expected), hauls
down hers, as the Admiralty stands in awe of the Cob-
den financiers.

PLYMOUTH, JAN. 6.—Her Majesty's steam-vessel
Tenzer, Lieutenant Selwyn, sailed on the 3d with mails,
for Madeira and the coast of Africa.

The Express packet having been refitted, leaves to-
day for Falmouth.

her Majesty's frigate Calliope, 26, Captain Stanley,
was paid off to-day.
Her Majesty's frigate Indefatigable, 50, is to be com-
missioned forthwith.

Seventy-two lads, candidates for apprenticeship in the
dockyard, were examined to-day by the schoolmaster.
Only 21 (the usual number) are to be admitted.
Captain Goss and the crew of the fishing-schooner
Cygnet, picked up at sea by the Belgian ship Quentin
Matsys, were yesterday embarked on board the brigan-
tine Panda, 7'6 tons, Captain llodgson, a vessel which
happened at this season to be fortunately in the harbour,
belonging to and bound for Newfoundland. The cost of
clothing and passage has been defrayed by the sum of
101. from the parochial authorities, about 61. from some
benevolent shipowners and others, and 21. from the Ship.
wrecked Mariners' Society. These unfortunate colonists
on landing appeared to have no legal claim for passage-
money from the pour-rates, the Merchant Seamen's
Trust, or the Shipwrecked Mariners' Society; and it has
been justly suggested that (with power for reimburse-
ment) the national funds of the mother country oug,ht to
be available for such unfortunate cases, rather than allow
the whole burden to fall undoubtedly on the authorities
of the locality where a crew under distressed circum-
stances might happen to land.
The Netley has been put out of commission and her
crew ordered to the flag. ship.
The Adventurer, store-ship, was yesterday commis-
sioned at this port.
EMIGRATION.—The ship Lady Amherst, 446 tons, of
London, Captain J. R. Myhill, with 175 statute adults,
sails to-day for Sydney. The ship David Malcolm, 560
tons, Captain J, Smith, with 194 statute adults, sailed
yesterday for Adelaide.
Wind, S.E., light breeze, with rain.
PEMBROKE DOCKYARD.—The Lords of the Admiralty
have of late turned their attention to the uprotected
state of this important arsenal. The martello towers,
lately contracted for, are progressing; a number of
workmen are busily employed in excavating the foun-
dations for one, and the preparations for the second arc
likewise in a forward state. These buildings are well
situated for the defence of the dockyard. A lieutenant
of the Royal Engineers has been placed here, to assist
in the superintendence of the contemplated fortifications.
A recruiting party of the Engineers has been established
under Captain Nelson, at Pembroke.

WOOLMTICH, JAN. B.—Tho Arrogant steam-frigate,
designed by Mr. Fincham, Master Shipwright at Ports-
mouth Dockyard as a 46-gun frigate, and fitted with
auxiliary engines of 360 horse-power, by Messrs. Penn,
on their direct-action trunk principle, went down to the
river to-day, on trial, with the intention of proceeding
direct to Portsmouth if found in good working order.
This fine vessel, having on board Captain Fitzroy, the
gallant officer who is to commission her on her arrival at
Portsmouth; Lieutenant Priest, who is to be the First
Lieutenant; and Mr. Tucker, Master, who has been ap-
pointed and had charge of the vessel; with Lieutenant
Robinson, assistant to Captain Austin, C. 8., to report on
her performances during the voyage round to Ports-
mouth; Mr. Tricket, assistant to the chief engineer at
Woolwich Dockyard; Mr. Casey; Mr. Allen, second
master of the Black Eagle, with two of the warrant offi-
cers of that vessel; Captain Halsted, RN., secretary to
Lloyd's ; Mr. James Laming, proprietor of the Sir
Robert Peel, Lord John Russell, and other steam
screw-propelled vessels trading with the continent,
and the Reverend Mr. Lang, who is to be chaplain
of the Arrogant, left her moorings at half-past
ten o'clock, and on the engines being set in
motion proceeded on starting at a rate of about seven
knots per hour, continuing at an uniform but rather
increased speed, until opposite the measured mile in
Long Reach, when the time was taken, and the speed
found to be against tide 5.886, or, making allowance for
the tide, an average speed of 7i knots per hour, with an
average number of 62 to 63 revolutions of the screw per
minute. The result of the trial to-day is the most satis-
factory on record, the power of the engines being only
360 horse, and intended simply as auxiliary, and yet they
gave a monicittam to this splendid steam-frigate, of 46
guns of largo calibre and weight, equal to 7/ knots per
hour, when she had on boad 246 tons of coals, 187 tuns
of water in tanks, and 13 tuns in casks, drawing 18 feet
9 inches aft, aad 16 feet 10 inches forward, with all her
guns on board; the armament being heavier than was
originally intended, consisting of two 63-pounder guns of
95 cwt. each for firing 68-pound solid shot, mounted on
traversing platforms with pivots, and sixteen 32-pounder
guns of 31 cwt. each on the upper deck ; twelve 8-inch
guns for 56 pounder hollow shot, or 68-pounder solid
shot, and sixteen 32-pounder guns of 56 cwt. each, for
the main deck. During the trial between Woolwich and
Gravesend there was not a stoppage of nay kind, the
engines being in the best working order, without a
single hot bearing, or the least degree of heating
in any part, the whole being so admirably adjusted as
not to requiro rectifying when in operation. The whole
of the machinery is upwards of six feet below the water
line, and the steam-chest more than three feet, rendering
the engines free from danger during warfare; while the
ventilation of the engine-room has been rendered perfect
by an adaptation of a fanner, set in motion by a small
engine of about six-horse power, which also by one
pump supplies the boilers, and by another discharges the
bilge water. This engine was not required to-day, the
weather being cool, and the engine-room at a very
moderate temperature, owing to the excellent system of
ventilation adopted, the small engine being only intended
as an auxiliary for giving a free circulation of air in
warm climates. The Arrogant is to have a crew of 460
men, and the accommodation for both officers and men is
of the best description, and sufficiently ample for every
purpose required, with room to stow provisions for
four months for all on board. The access to all parts
of the vessel is also easy, and the engines are so placed
e
as not to present any difficulty in working her eo th
best advantage under any circumstance in which sheon
may have to be placed. The vessel proceeded round
ane_
as
her way to Portsmouth in as satisfactory niwithrthe
could have been wished, the engines wor.
ask'Lg,he passed
greatest ease, and the motion of the vesselsanguine
onwards exceeding in every resPectt efireeTtand those
expectations of her future commanding
who fitted her.
's ship Asia, 84, 1
VALPARAISO, OCT. 2.9•-g 110 fl„ of Rear-Admiral P.
in this b
20, Captain Worth, and the
in-Chief of this station, to-
Hornby, C. 8., 06'71mpso,
Captain Stopford,
iEb;i3PaaArni
isiCdnkl9Frel,L.Ca
_r
es: :JAI
anai :0
anchorsor:
gether with the
Juno, 26, Captain •Is ay.
ship Champion, 14, Command
ller MajestY's
4th inst. for Call Commander Hayes,
Callao and the northward. On
sailed on Me
States fri
the Bth the united gate Congress, 54 guns,
qvulette, arrived fro
Captain e ' to s t In Mexico, homeward
bound. See is a o-morrow. The French brig-of-
war,Genie, Captain Count
Guidon, sailed on the 11th
for Coquimbo, and to exercise.
Her Msjesty's ship Juno, 26, was provisioned for eight
months, and was to have sailed for San Bless to shi an-
other freight alter the arrival of the last
pticket which,
however, has brought out •
orders for her proceeding
homewards.
The Calypso in now to go the Juno's round, and sails
this day. She will be the next ship for England. She
will return here in about seven months, and will be in
England in about ten months from this date. Her Ma-
jesty's ship Asia sails in a day or two for the islands of
St. Juan de Fernandez, and Conception, with Admiral
Hornby and a part of his family, to be back again here
for the next mail; it is not certain whether the Gorgon

steamer, 6 guns, Commander Paynter, will accompany
beer or not.
The United States frigate Congress, reported, on her
arrival, the discovery ot a large tract ot land on the
banks of the Sacramento River, Upper California, with
vast quantities of gold, which has caused a great many
vessels to go down there, and some of them have re-
turned and proved the report to be true, by bringing as
much as 2,000 ounces of the gold.
Her Majesty's ship Inconstant, 36 guns, Captain
Sheppard, is expected here shortly from the Brazils; also
the Constance, 50, Captain Courtney, in about two
months, from the northward.
The Cockatrice schooner, master commanding Mr.
Rundle, is at Panama with provisions, awaiting the re-
turn of the Herald, 26, Captain Keller, C. 8., and the
Plover, 6, Commander T. Moore, from Behring's Straits,
where they have been searching for tidings of Sir John
Franklin's expedition to the arctic regions.
PROMOTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS.
Sept. 30—Mr. John Horton, clerk's assistant, of the
, flag-ship Asia, to be acting clerk of the Champion cor-
vette, vice Mr. Batchelor, clrk, in hospital at Valparaiso.
Oct. 15—Mr. Francis T. Jamieson, second master of
the flag-ship Asia, to be acting master of the Juno fri-
gate, vice Mr. Loney, master, invalided.
Oct. 15—Mr. Joseph Cutijar, second master of the
Juno, to be second master of the Asia, vice Jamieson.
Invalided, Oct. 15—Mr. George Henry Forster, master
of the Gorgon steam-frigate; to have passage home in
the Juno. Appointment to the Gorgon not filled up in
time for this mail.
Squadron all well.
Her Majesty's ships Crescent, 42, Lieut. C. T. Meheux,
RN., commanding; her Majesty's ship Inconstant, 40
guns, Captain Sheppard, bound for the South Pacific,
and the packet-schooner, Spider, Lieut. Hayden, R.N.,
commanding, were at Rio de Janeiro on the 16th of Nov.
Her Majesty's ship Tweed, 18 guns, Commander
Lord Francis Russell, arrived at Rio de Janeiro from
England, on the 9th of Nov., and sailed on the 15th to
join Commodore Sir Thomas Herbert's squadron at
Monte Video.
THE ARMY IN IRELAND.

Wednesday a party of the 64th Regiment, consisting
of one officer and 50 rank and file, escorted 132 prisoners
from the Cork gaol to Fermoy, for trial before the
assistant-barrister at sessions; and on the same day 50
rank and file of the 26th Cameronians, under the com-
mand of Lieutenant James Clarke, stationed in Bandon,
arrived in town escorting 52 prisoners, who had been
tried and sentenced at Macroom sessions.

Friday Captain R. IL Smith Barry's troop of the 12th
Royal Lancers loft Cork Barracks for Ballincollig, to re-
lieve Captain Sutton's troop of the same corps stationed
in that garrison.

On Saturday morning two companies of the 64th
(Second Staffordshire) Regiment, consisting of the
grenadiers and No. 9 Company, under the command of
Captain W. J. James, leave Cork Barracks and proceed
by river steamers to Cove, to go on board the transport
for conveyance to Bombay.
ROYAL ENGINEEREL—We have been informed that
the following changes are to take place immediately in
this arm of the service :

Lieutenant-Colonel G. Tait, commanding Cork dis-
trict, to leave for Mauritius; Lieutenant-Colonel J. E.
Portlock, stationed at Birmingham, to undertake the
duties of the Cork district; Lieutenant-Colonel Cox,
stationed at Fermoy, to leave for Jamaica; Lieutenant
lion. John James Bury, second son of the Earl of Char-
leville, from Cork to Enniskillen, there to be stationed;
Captain P. B. \Vhittingham, from Enniskillen to the
Cork district. Other changes will, it is said, imme-
diately follow the above.

PRINCESS'S TREAT Rt.:,
Mr. J. M. Maddox, Sole Lessee and Itanager.

nnr!na• the Recess this Theatre has been re-decorated and embel-
lished in a superb and costly manner ty air ilurwitz. A new Chan-
delier has been fitted, and the best air :n ,% men L. 3 have been made for
the due Ventilation of the Theatre, and the cotit.ort and convenience
of the audience.