The Sun.
London, England, 1849-02-03 00:00:00

SNIPS FOR COMMISSION.

The Arrogant, 46, steam-frigate, at Portsmouth, has been
commenced upon by the extra riggers, to get her lower rig-
ging over. The shrouds, which are of wire rope, have a
rather singular appearance from being apparently so slight,
the laniards, which are of hemp, being nearly as thick as
the shrouds. The Rapid, 8-gun brig, has also been com-
menced upon, and is ordered to be got ready for re-commis-
sion at Portsmouth immediately, for service on the coast she
has just returned from, and will take out the mail of the Ist
of March to the West African station. Her compliment will
be 80. Her late commander (Dixon) received a very hand-
some testimonial from the officers of his vessel after paring
her off, consisting of a splendid double-handed vase or cup,
with an appropriate inscription.
The Heroine, 8-gun brig, is ordered to be refitted at De-
vonport, and commissioned to convey the mail of the Ist of
April to the coast of Africa. The Comet and Bloodhound
steam-vessels, at Portsmouth, are being rigged and brought
forward for re-commission, to protect the fisheries.
The Dragon steam-frigate, Captain Hall, is ordered from
Cork to Portsmouth with the battalion of Marines under the
command of Colonel Willes.

EXAMINATION 01 MATES FOR THE RANK OF LIEUTE.
NANT.-Mr. Shute Barrington Piers and Mr. Wm. Henry
Pym passed the necessary examinations qualifying for the
commission of Lieutenant, at Portsmouth, yesterday.
Poitzsmourn, FRIDAT.—The Centaur steam-frigate,
Captain Claude H. M. Buckle, bent sails this morning, and
has had her compasses tried for local attraction to-day. She
is to sail for Plymouth to-morrow.
The Rolla, 6, exercise brig for the naval apprentices, has
commenced refitting for the season, and has been hauled into
Blockhouse Hole for that purpose to-day.
The Fairy, steam-tender to the royal yacht, is refitting in
the steam basin.

The Racer, 16, arrived this afternoon from Plymouth to be
refitted for sea service.

WOOLWICH, FEB. 2.—The Hecla steam-vessel being
ready for service, left Woolwich this forenoon for Sheerness,
where she is to be stationed for the present as an advanced
war steamer. The Monkey steam-vessel, Master-Commander
Bryant, proceeded to Sheerness at the same time as the
Hecla, to bring back the riggers who navigated her.
The Black Prince, broughe from Sheerness to Woolwich, to
be fitted as a convict ship, is ordered to be taken back to
Sheerness, as it is not intended to convert her into a convict
ship at present. Commodore Henry Eden left Woolwich
yesterday for Ireland, on leave of absence for a few weeks.
Captain Bullock, employed on the surveying service in this
quarter, will perform the duties, and act as superintendent
during the Gallant Commodore's absence.
CHATHAM, FEB. 2.—The President, 50 guns, Captain
William P. Stanley, was towed into this harbour on the 29th
ult., by the African and Fearless steam-vessels, to be paid
off, without any of the bulkheads or other internal fittings
being disturbed; she is expected to be paid off on Tuesday
next. Two able seamen, King and Edwards, received se-
rious injuries on board whilst raising an anchor at the
Little Nore, by the patent capstan breaking, and the chain
which held the anchor flew with such violence that 18 men
were thrown down on the deck. The chain was, by the
force of the tide, drawn from the hawser, and it was found
necessary to slip the second anchor.
The Espiegle, 12 guns, Commander F. A. Campbell, will
be paid off at Sheerness on Saturday, the 3d inst. The
Chatham yacht proceeds with the pay clerks from the pay-
office to-morrow for that purpose.
The Elfin steam-boat is to be launched on the Bth instant.
She will be then sent round to the Thames to have her
engines (which are constructing by Mr. Rennie) put in
place. She is built to run with expresses from Gosport to
the Isle of Wight.
The Horatio, 42 guns, ordered to be fitted as a steam
guard-ship, on a principle proposed by Lord John Hay, is in
progress, and she is to be sheathed with Manta's metal.
The contemplated reductions will include one foreman of
this yard, two inspectors of shipwrights, one of joiners, eight
leading men of shipwrights, and the number of men to be
superannuated and discharged will exceed 200. The Admi-
ralty have directed that eleven apprentices to shipwrights
only be entered this year, which number is to be the com-
plement each year, instead of 16 annually, which has been
the case.

The Dido, 18 guns, Captain J. B. Maxwell, was paid off
this day at Sheerness; and the Bittern. 16guns, Commander
Thomas Hope, was paid off at Sheerness on Tuesday last.
PLYMOUTH, FEB. 1.---The crew of her Majesty's ship San
Josef, 120, were paid off yesterday.
The Racer. tender, sailed with supernumeraries for Porte-
mouth, yesterday.