The Sun.
London, England, 1847-04-26 00:00:00

N. 7 APRIL 26, 1847.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

PORTSMOUTH, APRIL 22.—We have received letters
from Rear-Admiral Dacres' squadron, and Cape papers
to the 20th of February, from which we glean the fol-
lowing with respect to the wreck of the Thunderbolt
steam-sloop, Commander Boyle:
)
" Port Elizabeth, Feb. 4.
" Yesterday evening, at about five o'clock, the smoke
of a steamer was seen over the Sandy Point, apparently
rounding Cape Receife, and nearly at the same time the
report of fire or six guns was heard at intervals. The
inhabitants were all on the qui vive, supposing it pro-
bable that this steamer was the bearer of the new Gover-
nor (Sir Henry Pottinger), and the guns, therefore,
excited no particular attention. Soon afterwards she
was made out to be the Thunderbolt, rather close in
shore, and although to all appearance with all her steam
up, she appeared to be making but little way, and
to be deep in the water. As she neared the anchorage,
it was discovered that her ensign was reversed, and then
for the first time it became evident that some accident
had happened. Her close approach to the shore excited
the alarm of the spectators, when in a few minutes it
proved to be the intention to beach her, and accordingly
she grounded ifs an upright position, some distance out,
nearly opposite thußaakens River. The port-boat had
bean for some time alongside of her ; other boats also
pbruotugolifft. ttho e he eerw
ea
Isesei smt aenicee. te
iTg h fie
ne
efirst
atwehhi
ec hh
arde tent
rr
en
eekd
on one of the outer points of Cape Receife, had passed
over the rock. but that immediately afterwards six feet
of water were &Rind on sounding the wells, and that it
was with great difficulty she had been kept afloat. This
morning she is in the same position, and the weather
being very mild, exertions are being made to save and
land her stores, &c., but scarcely any hopes aro enter-
tained of getting her of£ She had been sent round from
Simon's Bay for the9oth regiment, and had only two or
,three steerage,passengers."
The Graham's Town Journal says—" As this unto-
ward disaster will no doubt become the subject of in-
vestigation, it would be premature to offer any remarks
further than to observe that the Thunderbolt has on for-
mer occasions made the inner passage • that the weather
was very fine, and the light breeze that was blowing
was off the land."
The President, 50, Captain Stanley, flag' of Rear-Ad-
miral Dacres, sailed from Simon's-bay to Algoa Bay
on the 11th of February, to render assistance to the
Thunderbolt.

The Snake, 12, Commander Brown, arrived in Simon's
Bay, from Gordon's Bay, on the 15th of February, and
reported the Robert, of London, being on shore there,
laden with teak wood, from Moulmein for London ; sup-
posed she would be a total wreck.
The Nimrod, 20, Commander Dacres, and the Snake,
were the only vessels of the squadron in Simon's Bay
when the Wellesley left (the 20th of February).
The Myrtle steam-vessel, Second Master Balliston, re-
turned to-day from Sheerness.
The Recruit, 12, Commander Slade, is receiving a
coating of composition, which is expected to have the
effect of preventing the adhesion of rubbish to her
bottom.

A Yucatan paper gives the following list as the squa-
dron intended to attack the Castle of St. Juan d'Ulloa
—Cumberland, 44 ; Britain, 44 ; Potomac, 44 ; John
Adams, 20 ; St. Mary, 20 ; Albany, 20 ; Porpoise, 10 ;
and steamers, Princeton, 10 ; Mississippi, 10 ; Relief
6 ; Spitfire, 3 ; Vixen, 3 ; Reefer, 1 ; Peterel, 1, .and
Bonita, 1.
The Geyser steam-sloop, Captain Brown, hauled off
alongside the Blake hulk last evening, and removed her
shot and shells ; she returned to the jetty this morning
to complete her repairs.
The Dee steam-transport, Master Commander Driver,
left this evening with meal for Scotland.
PORTSMOUTH, APRIL 23.—After the Dee steam-trans-
port had got out of harbour last evening a box of charts
of the coast of Scotland was received from the Admi-
ralty by rail for her use. Her recal was consequently
made, and a number of guns were fired to draw her at-
tention to the signal, but they never attended to it, the
wind being in a contrary direction doubtless preventing
the report of the guns from being heard on board.
The Geyser steam-sloop, Commander Brown, is to
take on board a part of the cargo designed for the Dee,
but which that vessel was unable to carry, consisting of
400 sacks of seed barley.. She has nearly made good
her defects, and will sail in a: day or two for Scotland.
The Kestrel, 4, Lieutenant-Commander Baker, will
be removed from the basin to-'day if the tide rises to a
sufficient height to remove the caisson, which is very
doubtful.

Much surprise has been expressed that the appoint-
ment of Mr. Scarlett, late of the Mercury tender, to
commailkl.the Commander-in-Chief's tender or yacht
has been tanoeliWipl. Mr. Scarlett's appointment was in
the first instanc recisely similar to that of his prede-
cessor, Mr. Allen, via., " acting master," but after it had
been lying in the Rear-Admiral Superintendent's office
five weeki (Mr 5r....1.:At being then in tliw Mercury, on
4 e Irish coast), auu ..c
changed to that of " acting second-master," which
strikes off nearly half his pay! Mr. Scarlett is an old
sailor, upwards of fifty, and has long enjoyed the repu-
tation of being one of the best cutter sailors in the mari-
time world.

Portsmouth has presented to-day the appearance of a
fortress preparing for siege, the sluices having been
pulled up and the sea allowed to fill the moats, the water
around the walls beinc, in some places sixteen feet deep.
We believe this is done to test the foundations of the
fortifications. _ _ _

We regret to announce the death, under most painful
circumstances, of Second-Lieutenant John Francis
Henry, of the Royal Marine Artillery corps, a most
highly-esteemed young officer, which was caused last
evening under the following circumstance :—The de-
ceased, with two friends—Second-Lieutenant Hugh S.
Buck, of the same corps, in the Excellent, and Mr.
Onslow, also of the Royal Marines—was in a dog-cart,
Mr. Buck driving, and were en route from the Marine
barracks to Southsea for a drive, about seven o'clock

last evening ; had passed along King's-terrace from
Soutlisea•common, and were making towards Hamp-
shire-terrace ; when close to Croxton-lodge, where the
road is not more than nine feet wide; they appeared to
have suddenly changed their minds as to their intended
route, and turned the horse sharp round to the right to
go down Elm-grove. The turn was so sudden, the
space occupied in making it so small, and the 'cen-
trifugal force so great, that the vehicle ran
upon one wheel only (and that upon its outer
edge) for some yards, the other wheel being some foot
or more from the ground; and one of two gentlemen
(Mr. Onulow, we are informed) who sat behind, endea-

vouring to keep his seat, grasped theiron on thewrong side
of the seat, and thus accelerated a catastrophe which all
near the spot who were witnesses of the sudden turn of
the vehicle were aware must happen, and the cart was
upset with great violence, Mr. Henry being thrown out
with terrific force, and Mr. Buck upon him; while Mr.
Onslow was thrown in another direction. The horse
was for a moment stunned, but rose immediately, and
would have inevitably dragged the vehicle over the
bodies of Messrs. Buck and Onslow had not an artillery-
man of the Marines, who was passing at the time, sprung
at his head and held him down. Mr. Henry was taken
up instantantly, bleeding profusely and quite insensible.
He was taken to Mr. Batchelor s, surgeon, adjacent ;
but pulsation was not perceptible. Dr. E. J. Scott, of
St. George's-square, was passing at the time of the acci-
dent, and instantly attended to render assistance to the
sufferers ; taking Mr. Henry to his quarters it, the Vic-
tualling Store Barracks, in his own carriage ; but we be-
lieve he never rallied, and died this morning about five
o'clock. Mr. Buck is very much injured, and is in the
hospital, and Mr. Onslow has a cut across the knee, just
under the cap. The horse and chaise were not injured.
CIIATHA.3I, APRIL 23.—The Semarang. 26 guns, fitted
for a guard-ship for Gibraltar, is having alterations made
in her for the accommodation of troops, who aro to pro-
ceed in her to Gibraltar. During the week she has
been taking in provisions, consisting of beef, bread, rum,
&c., which have been brought round in lighters from the
victualling-yard at Deptford.
The Cleopatra, 26 guns, in dock, has her copper
stripped off her bottom. Her skinning timber and keel
are very defective; the whole of her gripe appears to be
rotten, and it is expected that she will have an entire
new keel. She was lifted up seven inches yesterday.
The Rochester, Sedgwick master, remains loading for
Woolwich and Deptford yards.
The ships fitting for commissions are the Terpsichore,
18 guns; Arab, 16 guns; and the Antelope steam-packet.
The Mars, 80 guns, building, which was commenced in
January, 1840, is nearly completed in the skinning of her
bottom; the knee for her figure-head is ready for fixing.
Commander Jenner, R.N., and Captain Wright, of the
Woolwich division of the Royal Marines, and formerly
of the Royal Marine Artillery, arrived at the dockyard
this day, and commenced their duties of organising the
Dockyard Battalion. The 4-gun battery to be erected
for the practice of heavy guns is progressing but slowly,
and it is be so formed as to represent a ship's side;
it will be 60 feet in length. The leading men of the
yard assembled yesterday. It is expected that they will
be the non-commissioned officers of the battalion. For
the battalions of the different dockyards there are to
be five staff sergeants of the Royal Marines (it is be-
lieved that sergeant-majors will be selected), who are to
be gazetted to second lietenantcies in the corps, and
placed on half-pay, and appointed to the several dock-
yards, viz.. Portsmouth, Plymouth, Chatham, and Wool-
wich, as adjuncts of the naval arsenal battalions of ar-
tificers. The pay of those officers is to be made up to
6s. 6d. per diem, with fuel, &c., and lodging money, 6s.
per week, when quarters cannot be provided for them,
and forage for a horse. In the winter season, when
drills aro suspended, these officers will perform the du-
ties of quarter-masters in taking charge of the arms
and accoutrements, and other military stores belonging
to their respective battalions. Sergeant-Major Christie,
of the Chatham division, has been recommended for one
of the appointments. Captain Wright is selected to or-
ganise the force, and is now employed in that duty.
He returned from Pembroke yard last night, having al-

ready visited the other ports.
PORTSMOUTH, APRIL 25.—A highly respectable jury
of the chief mercantile men of this borough, of which
Mr. Wright, of High-street, wasforeman, after minutely
investigating the cause of tho accident by which Lieute-
nant Henry, of the Royal Marine Artillery, lost his life
on Thursday night, returned a verdict of " Accidental
death."
The scourge steam bomb•vessel, Commazder

Caffin, is not to be fitted with another mortar upon
Lieutenant Roberts's plan at present.
The following are the dimensions of the Sybille, 36
built on the design of the surveyor, at Pembroke, and
recently launched from that dockyard:— *Y►

Feet. Inches.
Length between the perpendiculars l6O ... 0
Length of keel for tonnage
Breadth extreme
Breadth for tonnage 8 ... 3
Breadth moulded
Depth of hold l4 .. 6
Burden in tons, 1,625.
She has since been docked. coppered, and masted.
A Court-martial—comprising Captain Jobnstone of the
flag-ship Agincourt, president; Captain G. R. Mundy, of
the Iris; Captain M'Quhae, of the Dmdalus; Commander
Grey, of the Columbine; and Mr. W. Pinchorn, paymas-
ter and purser,of the Dmdalus, Acting Judge Advocate—
was held on board the Dmdalus, 20, at Singapore,
on the 23d of February last, to try Mr. Hurkham, mid-
shipman, and Mr. Drew, master's assistant, of the
Dmdalus, for quarrelling and breaking the naval regula-
tions' in which quarrel Mr. Drew received some severe
bodily injury. Both young gentlemen were dismissed
the service. On the following morning a Court, com-
posed of the same members, assembled for the trial of
Mr. W. F. Smith, B.A. naval, instructor of the Iris, 26,
Captain Mundy, upon a charge preferred by that officer;
but Mr. Smith objected to Captain Mundy sitting as a
member of the Court, on the ground that he had already
prejudged the case by his report to the Commander-in-
Chief. The Court consequently adjourned to await
further instructions from the latter officer. Mr. Smith,
we are informed, had refused to take charge of the chro-
nometers ; but his refusal was made in the most respect-
ful manner, alleging, as an excuse, that he did not think
himself competent to take proper care of such delicate
instruments. • '
'The Colvinbize, Hi Commander Grey; arrived at
Singapore, fiorn Penang, on the 23d of February, and
sailed thence for Labuan on the 24th ult., to relieve the
Wolf, 16, Commander Vansittart, ordered home. Owing
to the reluctance of the natives to receive money in pay-
ment for the supplies required by vessels on that part of
the coast of Borneo, the Columbine bad laid in a large
supply of long-cloth, which is found the readiest medium
of exchange, and which is bartered in pieces of different
sizes, according to the value of the articles to be pur-
chased, so many yards representing the price of a bul-
lock, fowls, &c.
The Fox, 42, Commodore Blackwood, and the Spiteful,
steam sloop, Captain Sir W. Haste, sailed from Bombay,
for Trincomalee, on the 6th of March.
The Inflexible, steam sloop, Commander Hoseason,
arrived at Sidney, New South Wales, from England, on
the 13th of December.
The Espiigle, 12, Commander Thompson, sailed from
Calcutta, for Moulmein, on the 26th of February.
The Pilot, 16, Commander Wilson, arrived at Mon

mein from Tavoy, &c., on the 21st of February.
The Vulture, steam-frigate, Captain M`Dougal, ar-
rived at Hong-Kong, from Canton, on the 22d of Feb.
The Castor, 30, Captain Graham, sailed from Hobart
Town, for New Zealand, on the 24th of December.
The Rapid, 10, Acting Commander Hill, was at Ben-
guela on the 7th of February, at which date her pinnace
was away looking after slavers. She had taken a prize
a few days previously, a fine schooner of 150 tons, fitted
for slaves, but with none on board when captured. She
was sent for adjudication to St. Helena, where she ar-
rived on the 20th of February, in charge of Mr. M'Clure,
master's assistant. Our letter says, "We are all well;
we have never been visited by the fever."
The Vincent, 120, Captain Milne, flag of Admiral Sir
C. Ogle, Bart., is progressing fast in her fitments for
sea. The Admiralty have ordered all the lower rigging
of this-fine old ship to be fitted on Lieut. Rigmaiden's
plan.

The Thetis, 36, Captain Codrington, C. 8., was towed
out of harbour to Spithead yesterday morning at day-
light, and sailed in the evening for Lisbon direct, with a
great
Tag a
Tagus.
s. m u
sohenf
for
was
a of
ss
very
William provisions
d eep,
Parker's and s
being
loaded
d erde al
l,
n squadrone vs super-
numeraries
eo
iyncon-
vertible vertible space, with stores, &c. The Marquis and
Marchioness of Queensberry have gone out in this
beautiful frigate to Lisbon, the Marchioness being re-
commended to recruit her health by a residence in the
Mediterranean for a period. During the time the Thetis
has been at this port she has been the subject of general
admiration.
The Netley tender arrived last evening from Plymouth,
with the marines paid off from the Inconstant and a few
men for the Thetis, which she was just in time to put on
board, that ship being then under ugh.
The Geyser steam-sloop, Commander Brown, left early
yesterday morning, with seed barley, for Scotland.
lle Fairy.lisial yacbanwas hauled alongside the jetty
rhy, to have the bAik paint, varnish, &c., scraped
fr her hih, it being intended to paint that part of
her blue, to match her boats, which will increase the
external beauty 0.f.. her appearance considerably.

ship, Agenoria, and Catherine—have been freighted
during the past week, at Clarence-yard, with meal for
Ireland, by the Government, and sailed yesterday and
this day for their destinations.

During the past week the following promotions and
appointments have issued from the Admiralty:—
PROMOTIONS.

Lieutenant—Nicholas Vansittart, Flag Lieutenant to
Sir Thomas Cochrane, to the rank of Commander, and
appointed to the command of the Wolf, vacant by the
death of Commander Gordon.

Mates—John F. 0. F. Carmichael (1841), Ramsey H.
Hallowes (1845), Walter Strickland (1845), and Henry
D. Selby (1845), to the rank of Lieutenant.

Assistant-Surgeon—Dr. John Macleod (1838), to the
rank of surgeon.
Clerks—Thomas S. Heywood (1839), and William L.
Inch (1839), to the rank of paymaster and purser.

APPOINTMENTS.
Commander—John M. R. Ince, to study at the steam-
factory at Woolwich.
Lieutenants—W. H. Phipps, to the Collingwood; John
F. C. Mackenzie, additional, to the Vindictive ; William

Wooldridge, to the Poictiers ; Henry F. Mills, to the
Victory ; L. Dennehy, to be Government agent at
Tralee ; John A. L. Wharton, to the Philomel ; J. A.

Hodgskin, to the Vindictive ; George M. Smith, to the
Recruit. W. N. L. Lockyer's appointment to the Excel-
lent is cancelled.

Surgeon—David Geddes to the Victory.
Second Master—John W. H. Harvey, to the Blood-
hound.

Midshipmen—M. G. Porter and Charles Dickson, to
the Philomel ; Charles T. Jago, to the Thetis.
Clerks—Afred 11. Martin, to the Philomel ; J. U.
Wicker, to the Excellent ; Thomas S. Wise, in charge,
to the Bloodhound ; Frederick Ellery, to the Bulldog.
Naval Cadets—J. Lathbury, to the Vindictive ;W.
J. S. Molyneux, to the Philomel.
Masters' Assistants James L. Murray, to the
Growler ; Pendarvess C. to the Andromeda ; W.
B. Bastrow, to the Bloodhound.
Royal Marines—Brevet Major Frederick Spry, of the
Woolwich Division, has been placed on half-pay, at his
own request; First Lieutenant W. Friend Hopkins, of
the Plymouth Division, to be captain, at 'Woolwich Divi-
sion,. vice Spry; Second Lieutenant Charles Slaughter to
be first lieutenant, at Plymouth Division, vice Hopkins;
Arthur Ellis is appointed second lieutenant.
Coast Guard—Mr. J. C. Colborne, master, RN., to
command the Hill (Portland) station, vice Lieutenant G.
F. Westbrook. Removals—Lieutenant T. Brewer, from
Sennen Cove to Penzance, vice Lieutenant C. W.
Poynter; Lieutenant T. Young, from Hill Head to Pol.
man, vice Lieutenant C. J. Hippesley. I
VISIT OF THE LORDS OF THE ADMIRALTY

TO WOOLWICH DOCKYARD.:
WOOLWICH, APRIL 24.—Rear-Admiral J. W. Deans
Dundas, C. 8., Captain M. F. Fitzhardinge Berkeley,
C.B. Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, and Cap-
tain Henry Eden, R.N., private secretary to the First
Lord of the Admiralty, paid an official visit to this dock-
yard on Saturday, and on arriving, at one o'clock P.M.,
were received by Mr. Elson, master attendant in charge
of the yard during the absence of Commodore Sir J. J.
Gordon Bremer, the superintendent. Mr. Jenkins,
storekeeper, Mr. Mouchet, store-receiver, Mr. Chatfield,
assistant to the master shipwright, Mr. Atherton, assis-
tant to the chief engineers, and several of the heads of
the departments, w, re also present, and Captain Beatson,
Royal Engineers, clerk of the works.

Their Lordships immediately proceeded on board the
Amphion steam-frigate, in the east dock, and were con-
ducted over that fine vessel by Lieutenant Sibbald, and
examined a new description of chain made of copper,
exactly on the same principle as the chains attached to
the mainsprings of pocket watches, and capable by its
great power of raising a weight of 13 tons when worked
by four men. The weight of the screw propeller of the
Amphion is about four tons. On leaving the Amphion
their Lordships proceeded to the basin at the west end
of the yard, and were received by Lieutenant-Com-
mander Phillips, of the Bloodhound steam vessel, who
mustered his crew to show the number of men on board,
application having been made by him for an ad-
ditional number of hands, the present number being
considered insufficient. Their Lordships, after leaving
the Bloodhound, went round the basin and met Halib
Pacha, Osman Bey, and Mahomed Bey, distinguished
foreigners then in theyard, accompanied by Lieut.- Colonel
Colquhoun, of the Royal Artillery. Their Lordships and
tho visitors then went on board the Growler steam.

vessel,
d over that vessel, fitting for the convey.
and conducted where they wero received by Command Potbury,
anco of free blacks from the coast of Africa to Grenada
and Trinidad in the West Indies. The foreigners mi-
nutely inspected the fore and after part of the cabins,
and the accommodation and appliances for the comfort
of the blacks during their voyage. The Blenheim, 72,
was then visited; the screw propeller with which she is
fitted was unshipped by the aid of a powerful chain of
galvanised iron. Their Lordships, on leaving the Blen-
heim, went on board the Black Eagle steam-vessel,
where they were received by Mr. S. 13. Cook, comman-
der of the Admiralty yacht, and partook of a dejedner
with Ilalib Paella, Osman Bey, and Mahomed Bey, and
several of the authorities of the yard. Captain Hall,
when their Lordships were on board the Growler steam-
vessel, pointed out the advantages that would be derived
by having a platform fitted from the top of the paddle-
boxes across the deck, and joined with marine glue, as
was fitted to the Avon under the direction of Captain
Denham, the blacks being fond of lying on the boards
in
the open air when that composition is used, As It does
not Where to their skin like pitch.