The Sun.
London, England, 1847-03-18 00:00:00

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

PORTSMOUTH., WEDNESDAY.—TIIO Sidon steam-frigate,
Captain Henderson, C. 8., went out of harbour this morning
on an experimental cruise, to test the working of her ma-
chinery (which has undergone considerable alterations in
the starting gear), and to proceed to Cowes for the inspection
of her Majesty, by special command, as we understood, con.
veyed through Admiral Sir Charles Ogle, the Commander-
in Chief at this port, last evening.
The vessel lett the harbour about 9 o'clock, with the fol-
lowing officers and visitors on board:—Rear-Admiral Sir
Charles Napier,
chief li.C. 8., the designer of the Sidon ; Mr.
Murray, engineer ofithis dockyard; Mr. Taplin, as-
sistant ditto ; Mr. Deaning, assistant engineer of Wool-
wich dockyard; Messrs. Seaward and Brunet, the con-
tractors for the machinery; Major Henderson, H.E.I.C.S. ;
Captain Lawlor, R.N. ; Mr. Best ; Mr. Roberts, R. ;
Ike., and proceeded outside the Nab, with a strong head
breeze, with 630 tons of coals in her coal boxes, and tanks,
water, and provisions for 320 men for three months, com-
plete ; all her ammunition, guns, stores, &c., and 25 tons of
powder, when she drew 17 ft. 4 in. aft and 16 ft. 10 in. for-
, ward. She went, under the above circumstances,7i knots, very
steady, and increased her speed up to 8 knots, with her engines
making 13i revolutions and 14. The alterations made, there-
fore, answered remarkably well. After rounding the Nab, she
went before the wind, with steam, above 11.2 by common
log, 9.6 by patent log down to Cowes. When off Osborne a
royal salute was fired from her main deck long 32-pounders
in a very smart manner. She then went as far as Yarmouth,
and then returned dressed in colours to the lazaretta vessel
off the Motherbank, where she lay to until her Majesty in
the Fairy came up (halt-past two o'clock), when three cheers
were given, and a royal salute was tired. Her Majesty and
the Prince Consort bowed their acknowledgments from the
deck of the Fairy, which crossed the bows of the frigate
slowly, and then steamed on for the harbour. The ste
was then turned on in the Sidon, which followed to Spitkead,
where she anchored after sunset.
This trial of the capabilities of the Sidon was eminently
satisfactory, and leaves no doubt that, with her intended in-
crease of complement of 80 men, she will prove the best steam-
vessel for war purposes yet in the Royal Navy. Captain
Henderson, his officers, and ship's company have laboured
hard to make the vessel in every way efficient and a credit to
the service in which she is destined to figure, and we have
no doubt but that the most satisfactory result will emanate
from such exertions.
The Sidon burns only 35 tons of coals per day, full steam-
ing. She can, therefore, steam 23 days right out. Whereas
the Terrible consumes 85 tons per day, and can only steam
at most eight days, being only enabled to carry 550 tons t. the
Retribution about the same, but she is ordered tubular boilers,
which will decrease her weight 100 tons, and enable her to
carry that quantity more coals. With the expansive gear
the Sidon made 15 revolutions.
A court-martial is expected to take place on Saturday on
a marine of the Salamander. A court of inquiry is also ex-
pected, to investigate some alleged most extraordinary pro-
ceedings which have taken place since the absence of the
Salamander, in which a distinguished officer is implicated.
Lieutenant Scott, of this ship, was summoned to the Admi-
ralty last night.
We are also informed a reprimand is awaiting the Lieute-
nant of the Vestal, 26, on the China station, for deficiency
of knowledge in gunnery.

ALLEGED MURDER 11,1 SHOREDITCH.—At half-past
ten o'clock last nights fearful murder was committed by a
man, s
iornaned Thomas Brooks, an umbrella-rib-maker, residing
in leditch, upon William Gobert, who at the time was
living with the sister of the former. The prisoner, when
conveyed to the station-house, at once confessed the crime,
y ssigning as a reason for its conunission that had he not
irorl-a
shot deceased, the latter would have shot him. When
searched, some powder and ot were found on his person.
Fro shot
m his statement it appears that deceased, in company.
with the female mentioned, entered the house and demanded
in the prisoner posse •
's
some trifling p
reperty , 831011. Upon
being ordered to withdraw, and refusing, Brooks threatened
to lodge a bullet in the breast of deceased, and instantly
fired, the shot entering on the left side of the breast; death
ensued instantaneously. The prisoner is apparently under
20, and his victim under 23 years of age,
ESCAPE FROM CIIELAISFORD GAOL.—On Friday
morning, it was discovered that Charles Pye who had been
convicted the evening previously at the assizes of burglary,
had effecte.l his escape from the gaol at Chelmsford. The
prisoner had been found guilty on Thursday of entering the
house of an independent old couple named Hockley, in com-
pany with others, and not only ransacking the hause, but ill-
treating the inmates in an atrocious manner, so that the life
of the old lady was for months despaired of. lie was sentenced
to 15 years' transportation. and was taken back to the gaol, in
which extensive alterations are going on, part of it being
pulled down for the purpose of introducing the separate sys-
tem of discipline; and it would appear, that, in the confusion
of putting down a van full of prisoners in the interior yard,
he managed to conceal himself amongst some of the works
or buileings. Having thus contrived to evade observation,
he found little difficulty, from the state of the walls and
the various scaffoldings about the building, to make good
his escape when all became quiet. As soon as his escape
was discovered the county police were moving after him in
all directions, and the metropolitan force were notified of it
by electric telegraph, but lie has not yet been retaken. This
is the third prisoner who has effected his escape from the
gaol during the progress of these works, which were under-
taken through the Government pressing for au improvement
in the discipline of the prison, and will cost more than
30,000 l Erpress.
THE NAVY.—The members of the Royal Navy
Club had a second dinner, in commemoration of the battle of
the Nile, last evening, at the Piazza Hotel, Covent-garden,
when several gentlemen of the naval profession assembled.
This old. established and national club now possesses stock to
the amount of 15,400/., producing a dividend of 4621. per
annum, which is appropriated to the relief of the widows and
orphans of deceased members.
The Conde de Montetnolin, who has been elected
an honorary Member of the British and Foreign Institute,
has signified his intention of being present, with his suite,
at the Soiree of that Literary Association, to-morrow even-
ing, Friday.