The Sun.
London, England, 1840-10-06 00:00:00

TOULON.

SEPT. 28.—There has been a good deal of talk here
about the sudden departure of the Grondeur steamer,
which was ordered out of quarantine and put to sea in
the shortest possible time. It appears, however, that
the only object was to overtake the Cocyte, which had
started for Algiers with despatches some hours before :
the bag was made up by the Prefet Maritime, but
one of the most important despatches remained on
the desk of that high functionary, who is notorious
for his want of accuracy and despatch. Order,s have
been given, in consequence of this occurrence, to
place cannon on one of the lofty promontories which
command the harbour of Toulon, for the express
purpose of firing a signal of recall to the steamers,
whenever M. lo Prefet Maritime has made a blunder.
The arrival of the Neapolitan squadron, consisting
of two vessels of the line, two frigates, and some smaller
sails, is daily expected in the harbour. This squadron
is out on an experimental cruise, and it is understood
that they are to pay a vlsit to Toulon for the purpose
of testifying their master's friendly gratitude for the
timely mediation of the French Government in the sul-
phur dispute with England.
The inner port of Toulon is crowded with the hulks
of old vessels not unknown to history. Amongst them
is a frigate taken at Venice in 1797, and which brought
Bonaparte back from Egypt in 1799. The surprising
escape of that vessel from the vigilance of the
British cruisers changed the Government of
France and the affairs of the world. Several
of the largest vessels, however, which have figured
for thirty or forty years in the French Admiralty
returns without ever having an opportunity of firing a
broadside, prove to be utterly worthless now that they
are ordered for sea. Thus the Majesteux, of 110 or
120 guns, was ordered to be got ready, when it was
found that she had not a sound timber in her, and she
is now being broken up in the arsecal here. The S3U.
verain has reached the outer harbour, and wi.i shortly
make her debut at sea ; but she had to undergo most
extensive repalis. In general, it has been found that
the reports transmitted from the dockyards to the

Minister of Marine as to the actual state of the ships
in ordinary or in construction are extremely fallacious.
Thus it has turned out that vessels which were believed
to be in such a state that they could be got ready
in a month will require three, and in some cases it.
is
doubtful whether they are fit for service at all.
The following statement of the ships now being built
at Toulon is believed to be correct :

IN THE: ARSENAL.
Fleurus, 100 guns, laid down May, 1825, nearly
ready.
Fontenoy, 90 guilt, laid down, June, 1827, nearly
ready.
IN THE DOCKS AT MOURAYON, ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE

OF THE HARBOUR.
Navarin, 100 guns, June, 183-2, nearly ready.
Eole, 100 guns, April, 1833, three-quarters built.
Hector, 90 guns., Dcc. 1833, three-quarters built.
Castiglione, 90 guns, June, 1833, one-third built.
Sceptre, 90 guns, Sept., 1335, one-quarter built.

FRIGATES.
Pursuivante, 52 gunt7, May, 1827, all but ready.
Zenobie, 52 guns,April, 1828, all but ready.
Sibylle, .52 guns. Sept., 1829, three-quarters built.
Provencale and Perdrix, gabarres, of 600 tons each.