The Sun.
London, England, 1848-09-18 00:00:00

THE
,517.1, JONDON,

THE NAVY, ARMY,
ORDNANCE ESMIATE:z.
The slate of the public r( venue and expntliture, to
which the attention of Parlio.ie;_nt was so frequently
directed thwlng the session jut closed, and the general
importance of the subject itself, have necessnrily at-
tracted towards the proceedings of the Select Com-
mittee on Navy, Army, and Ofdnance Estimates, ap-
pointed by the house of Commons, a large and un-
usual degree of national interest. An abstract, em-
• bracing the leading features of the report of that
Committee, freed from the mass of arithmetical details
embodied in a tabular form, and the long dreary pages
of dry uninviting remarks and explanations with
which it abounds, may not therefore be unacceptable
to the general reader.
The Committee directed their attention, in the first
• instance, to the expenditure for the navy ; and they
premise their report with the statement, that as " the
expenditure thr the effective services of the navy,
army, and ordnance must, in great measure, depend
upon the amount of force which the advisers of the
' Crown may consider necessary," they have "abstained
from taking any evidence, or offering any opinion
upon systems of state policy, which Parliament can
only sanction on the immediate responsibility of the
advisers of the Crown." After quoting with appro-
bation the opinion of the Finance Committee of 1828,
_ that the establishments of the country should be regu
• lated, not with reference to the unusual circumstances
of the late war, or to the probability of future wars,
• but rather with reference to " the policy of depending
mainly on our navy for protection against foreign in-
' vasion,- and for the means of attacking our enemies,"
the report states, that a review of the navy estimates
• for many years past exhibits a large and still increase
ing charge. This is shown by a return of the sums
voted each year from 1828 to 1848 inclusive for
effective and ineffective naval services,—the sum
voted in 1828 being 6,533,8661., and in 1846-47
.7,920,325/., including supplementary estimates for
retired allowances to captains, and for excess of ex-
penditure. In 1847.48 the vote was 7,737,1981.,
while for 1848.49 the estimate was 7,951,8421.; but
. up to the time of the report Parliament had only voted
certain sums on account From 1828 to 1835-6 the
return shows a gradual decrease in the annual sums
'vetted, the amount for the latter period being
4,434,7831.; a progressive rise then takes place on-
ward to the preSent year. It appears that there was
an excess of expenditure over the naval grants in
1844-5 of 44,420/. ; in 1845-6, of 185,2801.; and in
1846-7, of 245,410/. ; and it is stated, that when the
accounts are closed for the year 1847-8 a further
grant will be required for a similar excess.
Having thus pointed out the progressive increase in
.the general charge fer the navy, the report presents
•us with a series of interesting tabular statements, to
show-Ist, the sums taken under each head of the
•estimates from 1833 to the present; in other words,
the annual payments made in each department ; 2d,
the number of men, boys, and marines voted and borne
from 1829 to 1847 ; and 3d, the number of ships and
vessels on the different stations on the Ist of March in
each year from 1835 to 1848, showing the total com-
plements of men, &c.
Under the first of these heads some interesting com-
parisons may be made. For example, the wages of
seamen and marines in 1833-34 amounted to 955,220/4
in 1848-49 they were 1,425,380 ; in 1833-34, the
amount for naval stores was 492,290/. ; in 1848.49, it
is 1,511,6711. ; in 1833-34, for new works and repairs,
63,790/. ; in 1848-49, 688,601/. ; in 1833-34, half•
pay,-871,858/.. in 1848-49, 729,7401. The military
pensions and allowances in the former period were
538,403/. ;in the latter, 510,288/. The civil pensions
and allowances in the former period were 220,3421.,
and in the latter, 155,0441. In other parts of the re-
port explanations are given of the causes which have
led to some of these disproportions ; but it will be
more convenient to take these statements in the order
in which the Committee have arranged them.
• The next table presents a return of the number of
men, boys, and marines voted and borne from 1829 to
1847. It is well known that, previously to voting the
various sums of money required under the different
heads of the estimates, it is the practice of the House
of Commons to decide upon the number of men ; and
here we have the votes of the House during this long
period :
In 1829 the numbers voted were 30,000 ; numbers
borne, 32,458 ; in 1847-48 the numbers voted were
43,500; numbers borne, 44,969. The Committee
remark, that is the number of men voted determines
the amount of effective force for the ensuing year, it
might be supposed that this decision would in great
measure regulate the annual expenditure for the
navy ; but such is not the fact, as is proved by a com-
parison of the expenditure is different years. For in-
stance, in the years 1841 and 1842 the number of
men voted was 43,000, an amount equalling the num-
ber voted for the service of the present year; yet, in
1841 the whole sum expended for the navy was
6,731,5021., while the estimate of the present year was
7,951,8421.; showing that, with the same number of
men, there is an estimated increase in the charge of
above 1,200,000/. This circumstance is noted by the
Committee to show- that, " when the number of men
has been fixed, there is still room for the application
of a well-considered economy."
The next inquiry of the Committee, the result of
which is before us, was as to the distribution of the
naval force, this information being deemed desirable
before entering into the details of the expenditure for
the navy. It is stated that " the number of seamen,
includinz boys and marines, required this year for
service alba, is 35,000, in addition to which there are
8,000 marines to be employed on shore. The number
of seamen, &c., actually serving on the Ist of March,
1848, including those ordered home and paying off,
was 39,000. The number of ships and vessels of all
classes in commission on the Ist of March was 235 ;
but of those, 25 are either ordered home or paying
off, leaving 210 as the permanent number required
for the service of the year at all stations," &c. To
give the return of the number of ships at each station
from 1835, downwards, will hardly be thought neces-
sary ; but it may be interesting to state briefly the
number of vessels which the Executive Government
desire to retain throughout the year on each of the
foreign stations, seven in number.
East Indies.-17 vessels of all classes ; one receiv-
ing-ship ; complement, 3,268. Four of these vessels
are steamers ; three or four vessels have been stationed
at New Zealand, and it is thought desirable that these
ships should occasionally visit Australia and Van
Diemen's Land. China requires, according to Lord
Auckland, the services of seven or eight ships ; two
ships are stationed at Bombay for service in the
Persian Gulf or at Aden, and one occasionally visits
Ava and the Miou rivers. The Admiral's ship moves
about according as his presence may be required, and
it appears that the East India Company have about
20 steamers fitted for the purposes of war.
Pacific, or West Coast of America.—Previous to
1838, the Pacific and south-east coast of America
formed together one station, with a force of about
15 vessels. This station has, since 1838, been con-
verted into two separate stations, and the force em-
ployed has been nearly doubled, in consequence of
the Oregon dispute, difficulties on the Mexican coast,
the disputes in the Rio Plata, and the large amount of
French and American force stationed in those seas. Lord
Auckland considers this force neeessary in present
circumstances, but, from authorities cited by him, it
would appear that, when the vessels can be spared
from the River Plate, "it would be most unad-
visable to employ them in cruising for slavers on the
Brazilian Coast," which was their original destination
in those seas.
West Coast of Africa and Cape of Good Hope.—
These two stations were comprised in one till 1841.
The West Coast of Africa has now 24 vessels' with
a complement of 2,470 men ; the Cape of Good
hope has nine vessels, with a complement of 1,715
men. The ships on the West Coast of Africa are
maintained for the suppression of the slave trade;
but, as another Committee was sitting on this sub-
ject, the inquiries regarding it were not perused.
The force has been lately much increased on account
of the Kafir war, and the station has also been ex-
tended to include the Mauritius and the Isle of Bour-
bon. Lord Auckland is of opinion that this force
cannot be much reduced.
North America and West Indies.—On this station
there are ten vessels, with a complement of 1,717
Men. Lord Auckland considers this force too small
to fulfil the objects intended, viz., the protection of
the fisheries in the north, visiting the West India
Islands, and watching British interests from the Ca-
'aceas to the shores of Nova Scotia and Newfound-
land.

AND

twblenetityl-teflrrave Tr
---.
In the Mediterranean there are
"This force lisps' 11:ith a complement of 6,973 Men.
policy of the maintained in accordance with the
land declares iPtrasesV Government ; and Lord Auck-
this amount of navalsopinion that while we maintain
more convenientl force in time of peace, it may be
Stationed in the Medittrranean
than elsewhere." y
In addition to the ships employed on the above
seven stations there is a
the
euiVron of evolution con-
sisting of three sail of
and other vessels,
which may otherwise be called line evolution
hoe or Channel
Benton particular
fleet. With the exception of vessels
service, and those stationed for the protection of the
home ports, the rest consist of packets, surveying
vessels, &c.
The Committee state they decline toenter up on the
considerations of general policy which regulate the
distribution of the force ; but they observe, " that
whatever cause may have led to the increase of force
on any particular station, when once the force has
been augmented there is too frequently some unfortu-
nate hindrance to its subsequent. reduction ;" and
they add, "It is to be feared that officers commanding
stations may be reluctant to part with a force once
placed at their disposal ; and it requires, therefore, a
Just discrimination and s firm exercise of authority,
on the part of the Home Government, to regulate the
distribution of the fleet in such a manner as shall se-
cure the interests of our commerce and protect the

distant dominicna cf the C:own without imposing an
unneceazary burden on the finances. of this country."
A return, showing the complements of the dif-
fa.ent rates of ships in 1837 and 1847 exhibits a very
considerable increase of the established,c,omplements
for the latter year, and consequently the chargo for
a ship of the same rate is ncc.ssarily greater than it
was in the former period.
The above necessary preliminary inquiries as to
' the general expense, number of men, and distribu-
tion of the navy, having been disposed of, the report
presents the results of the Committee's inquiry into
each particular vote, there being 19 in all.
Vote No. 1 embraces the estimate for wages to
seamen and marines. The gross estimate under this
head for 1848-1849 was 1,425,3801. The Secretary
to the Admiralty states his belief that this estimate is
based upon an incorrect average. In former years,
an average of 361. 35.11 d. per men upon the whole of
the men voted was sufficient to cover the expense of
the reliefs, and even to leave a considerable surplus.
The extension of the steam navy has since rendered
it necessary to employ a number of men, such as en-
gineers and stokers, whose services can only be ob-
tained by higher pay, and, consequently, the former
average can no longer be relied upon. The true
average would amount to 381. 15s. 3d. per man. This
statement seems to have puzzled the Committee, for,
notwithstanding the fact, that the average charge per
man has increased, the sum asked for in-the estimates

to defray the wages of the current year is less than
in 1841, when the same number of men (43,000)
was voted, showing that an increase of charge under

•
this head will pro.bably fall to be supplied in some
future years. Many causes operate to render a
strictly accurate estimate of the expenditure under
this head very difficult, but, though some of them are
stated, they will scarcely interest the general reader.
The inquiries of the Committee, however, brought
out distinctly the fact already stated, that, with the
same number of men as were voted in 1841, the cost
of maintaining the force has considerably increased.
This is partly explained by the circumstance, that
while in 1841 there were only sixteen steamers in
commission, in 1848 there are in commission fifty
steamers ; and some idea of the difference of cost in-
curred will be obtained from the fact, that whereas
the average expense of wages per head of the crew of
the St. Vincent is about 281. per annum, the average
expense per head of the crew of the Sampson steamer
is about 401. per annum. A considerable increase in
the pay of engineers has also taken place since 1843,
and there is a higher charge than usual for Admirals
and their retinue.

A statement showing the rate of able seamen's pay
at different periods may not be uninteresting :
Previous to the 22d of April, 1797, it was 11. 4s. per
month, subject to a deduction of ls. for the chest at
Chatham, and 6d. for the hospital at Greenwich.
From 1797 to 1806 the pay was 1/. 93. 6d ; and from
that time to 1816 it was 1/. 13s. 6d. ; from 1817 to
1824, when the new system of victualling was
adopted, the pay was 1/. 12s. ; and from the' new
system of victualling to the present time 11. 14s. net
pay.
The report contains an account of the expense of
12,000 marines and a marine artillery, a force greatly
reduced in 1832, but now re-established. This was
Considered a most important branch of the service
since the increase in the steam navy, and the greater
use of shell guns. The expense of a company of
marine artillery above a company of marines is 878/.;
and, as the force could not be suddenly raised, if
wanted for an emergency, the Committee consider its
maintenance at the present limited amount to be
consistent with a well considered economy.
The Committee directed their attention to the dif-
ference between the number of men voted for the
navy and the number of men borne; and on this head
Lord Auckland stated his desire to restrict the num-
ber of men within the amount voted, and expressed
his belief that this object will be effected in the course
of the next few months.

The estimates for the present year contain a vote of
30,0001., which it was proposed to take for the pur-
pose of ameliorating the condition of petty officers
and able seamen, the object being to bestow a higher
rate of payment after a certain length of service, to
induce them to remain, instead of going where they
could get better pay. On this vote the Committee
offer no opinion, referring the matter entirely to the
wisdom of Parliament.
Vote No. 2—Victuals fur Seamen—This estimate
was 653,6831. The quantity of provisions required
for the 35,000 seamen afloat is calculated upon
the established allowance of some articles, and
upon the estimated consumption of others, an aver-
age of which is obtained from former accounts.
With reference to the established allowances, the
same ration is issued to every one without distinction,
of rank, from the Admiral downwards, and compen-
sation is made to the men for such portions as they
may save from the daily allowances made to them.
In 1847 the value of the savings thus effected by the
seamen amounted to 66,6101. It would be neither
profitable nor entertaining to follow the report
through all the intricate calculations that have been
made relative to the salt beef, pork, biscuit, vege-
tables, &c., supplied to her Majesty's navy. Suffice
to say that, for victualling 35,000 seamen afloat,
those in the packet service and yard craft, and for
victualling stores, &c., the estimated expense for
1848-49 is 620,683/. ; and that, according to the
evidence of Lord Auckland, " it is not possible to
procure "provisions of a better quality than those
which are issued to our sailors," while " the sum
annually paid to them in lieu of provisions uncon-
sumed proves that the quantities are amply sufficient."
The following is the rate of victualling

a:. s. d.
Per man per annum .. l7 15 4.088
Do. per month
Do. per day
In the'estimate for the present year, as in all pre-
vious ones, there are sums taken for various purposes,
which it may be of use to specify. For instance,
there is an item of 7,0201. for condemned provisions ;
that is, provisions declared unserviceable, and such as
are returned into store from ships arriving from
foreign ports. There is also a sum of 3,8251. to
replace the estimated loss of provisions by evaporation ;
and under the head " necessary money" is a sum of
32,9611. as an allowance made to pursers for providing
her Majesty's ships with various items, under the
authority of the Admiralty instructions, such as coals,
wood, candles, oil, &c. Then there is 39,4761. under
the head " Pursers' profit balances." Every purser is
required to close his accounts annually ; he is charged
with all supplies of provisions, and credited with the
established allowance for the number ofpersons appear-
ing to have been victualled according to the ship's mus-
ter-books. A fixed allowance is made to him for waste
in the issue, and he is paid at a certain rate for audits
on the balance of his account. For what is culled
" provision money excess cost" there is an item of
3,4501., being a compensation in lieu of provisions
given in some cases to flag-lieutenants, admirals' se-
cretaries, clerks, and seamen, when employed on
shore. The Committee are not satisfied that this
expense has been at all times properly incurred, and
recommend the matter to the attention of the Ad-
miralty.
Provisions are obtained by contract, and it is con-
sidered desirable to keep a stock of salt meat sufficient
for six months' consumption. Of late years preserved
meats have been substituted once a week in lieu of
salt meat on all foreign stations. This arrangement
is conducive to the health of the seamen ; and the faei-
cility of obtaining a supply has superseded the neces-
sity of retaining in store the large quantities of salt
meat formerly deemed indispensable. Bicuit is manu-
fac:tured atDeptford,Portsmouth, Ply mouth, and Malta.
In the year ending December, 1847, the quantity ma-
nufactured at the above ports and purchased abroad
was 11,977,821, at the average rate of 1/. 2s. 7.10 d.
per cwt. The contract for salt meat is taken towards
the end of September. In September, 1847, there
were purchased of salt beef (Irish) 5,000 tierces, all
at 51. 19s. per tierce ; and of salt pork 9,950 tierces' at
the average price of 8/. Gs. ld. per tierce. It will be
observed that the 5,000 tierces of salt beef were all
Irish ; and it may also be noted that of the 9,950
tierces of salt pork, 6,400 were Irish.
In order to point out distinctly under which divi-
sion of the estimates the great increase of charge for
the navy arises, the Committee furnish several returns
to show the great expense incurred by the effective
force at sea in the two principal items, wages and
victuals. They give a return showing the expense of
wages and victuals per annum for a ship of each rate
'and class, calculated upon the present complements.
To give all these details would go beyond the scope
of this notice; but one or two may be selected as
examples :
A first-rate, with 1,000 men, costs annually for wages
25,7431.; for victuals, 17,7661.—t0ta1, 43,500/. A
first rate, 950 men, costs for wages 24,635/. ; victuals,
16,878/.—t0ta1,t41,513/. A second-rate, 850 men,
costs for wages 22,0281 ; victuals, 15,1011.—total
37,129/. A fourth-rate, 500 men, costs for wages
13,617/. ; victuals, 8,883/.—total, 22,500. A sixth-
rate, 240 men, costs for wages 7,3561 ; victuals,
4,2641.—t0tal 11,620/.
A steam- sloop, 160 men, costs for wages 5,467/. ; vic-
tuals 2,8421.—t0tal 8,3091. A steam vess-1, 80 men,
costa for wages 2,691/. ; victuals, 1,421/.—total 4,112/.
The whole annual cost of an 80-gun ship, with
750 men, is as follows : Wages, 19,812/. ; victuals,
13,325/ ; rigging, sails, and stores (exclusive of
ordnance), 3,201/. ; wear and tear of hull, 3,6601,—
total, 39,998/
The Committee, in their remarks upon this vote,
.ol_a_sejv,e, that " the only sure and efficacious check
naguamymbsetra lisaxcess of expenditure is to limit the
orne
annexed to the estin •
the recommendeab that a"sittalitieumtehnet numbershould bveo ted;and
annually
way borne during th
or presented to the House
at the same, tibib;.4.g
Vote No. 3.—Admiralty. rnethe. ninnsber-aanen ac-
st financial year.
1848-49 was 136,303/
e v tionugs year, ybrce—The estimate for
from the charge for the Pr • butall diminution
from

considerable increase since 1833. The business of
the Admiralty is divided between the office at White-
hall and at Somerset-house. The severer departments
are distributed among the members of the Board of
Admiralty, so that each one of th.e Lards Commis-
eleners, besides attending the board, is made con-
versant with the details of the particular branch
which i placed under his especial superintendence.
The First S'a Lord attends to the distribution of
the fleet, and the preparation of orders in commis-
sion. Another naval Lord attends to the manning
and arming of ships, and to all matters connected
with the marines and marine artillery. A third
superintends the building and repairing both of sailing
and steam-vessels. A fourth overlooks the purchase
and disposal of naval stores and provisions for the
navy ; the transport service and the medical depart-
ment are placed under his care as well as all claims
for pensions. The junior lay lord superintends the
finance accounts, the engineering, and architectural
works, and the packet service. The First Lord is
cognizant of all that is in progress in each depart-
ment, and exercises the general control which neces-
sarily accompanies the chief responsibility.
The Committee, in their inquiries as to the causes
which have led to an increase in the expenditure of
the Admiralty, found that with the increase of naval
force and of establishments at home and abroad, a
corresponding increase has arisen in the daily busi-
ness to be transacted, and consequently extra pay-
ments are made to the clerks who work additional
hours, and extra clerks are employed beyond the
number sanctioned by the Treasury. The mode of
employing extra clerks the Committee consider ob-
jectionable, and they recommend that none shall be
.hereafter employed without the written permission of
the Treasury.
The number of officials employed in the offices at
Whitehall and Somerset House is 289.

Under this vote are placed the appointments of
Vice-Admiral and Rear-Admiral of Great Britain.
The Committee of 1833 nominated to inquire into
army and navy appointments observed that these were
distinctions immediately connected with the naval
service, and have always been reckoned among the
highest professional honours to which a naval officer
could aspire, and the Committee therefore recommend
their continuance. The whole emoluments are to-
gether less than 8001. a year.
Vote No. 4.—General Register and Record `Office
of Seamen.—The gross estimate for 1848-1849 was
9,772/. On this estimate the Committee report,
" Some information on the subject will be found in
the evidence, but since the questions of register ,and
apprenticeship, together with the general policy of
the navigation-laws, have been brought under the no-
tice of the House, your Committee deemed it un-
necessary to pursue this inquiry further."
Vote No. s.=scientific Branch.—The estimate for
this year was unusually large, being 80,395/., whereas
last year it was 46,7971. The increase is chiefly
caused by a charge of 30,0001. for the Arctic Expe •
dition, being the sum requisite to send out an expedi-
tion in search of Sir John Franklin and his crew,
who, in 1845, sailed in two ships for the discovery of
a northwest passage. On this subject the Committee
inquire—"'What has been gained by these reiterated
attempts to find a north-west passage ? has any
result been obtained commensurate with the cost ?"
And they add, " Such researches may gra-
tify the laudable curiosity of scientific men, and
settle long-disputed theories; nor is it *led that
some indirect advantages may casually be derived
from these perilous voyages; but the expenditure for
such should not be included in the navy estimates,
since it is in no way connected with the maritime
power of the country." It appears that since 1815 a
sum of 428,782/. has been expended in Arctic expedi-
tions. The charge for the Antarctic expedition was
80,620/.
After deducting the 30,0001. taken on account of
the Arctic expedition, there still remains 50,000/. for
scientific purposes. The Royal Observatory costs
4,230/. ; and the observatory at the Cape of Good
Hope costs 2,8551. The astronomer at the Cape, Mr.
Maclean, has, it is said, arranged a plan with the As-
tronomer Royal, in furtherance of which a series of
observations have been made, and are still continued,
of great value to the science of astronomy.
A charge has for some years appeared for the re-
measurement of La Caille's Arc of the Meridian.
Doubts having been, entertained of the accuracy of that
astronomer's measurements, executed about the
middle of the last century, it was resolved to repeat
La Caille's observations and measurements and con-
duct similar operations along a more extensive arc.
The work has accordingly been going on at the Cape
and is now nearly terminated, an important addition
having been thereby made to our knowledge of the
form and dimensions of the earth. The total expense
incurred is 9,7371., and any future payments required
will be trifling.
For the- compass department the sum respired is
2,1981., and the charge for the hYdrographical de-
partment is 28,7001. In the surveying department the
annual charge has greatly increased since 1837-38.
In that year it was 68,0001., while in 1845-46 it was
178,000/. A reduction in the number of vessels
employed in the service has since taken place; seven
or eight were called away to be sent with meal to the
coasts of Ireland and Scotland. Ten vessels are now
employed, and it is not intended to increase the
number. The Committee recommend a fixed limit
to the sum annually expended on surveys, and they
propose that 70,0001. should henceforth be the
maximum.

An arrangement by which greater facilities are to
be given for the distribution and sale of charts is stated
to be under the consideration of the Admiralty.
There is a charge of 3,6301. to defray the addi-
tional expense and labour thrown the Admiralty by
the duty of examining and reporting on all railways
and other plans and projects which may interfere with
the tidal waters and navigable rivers of the United
Kingdom. On this point the Committee suggest that
the duty might be better discharged by the railway
department of the Government ; and they consider it
inexpedient to establish a central authority for the
supervision of harbours in connexion with the Ad-
miralty till Parliament is fully informed as to the
powers with which such a department was to be in •
vested.

The charge for the Royal Naval College at Ports-
mouth is 2,203/. ; and there is a new charge, for
a school of mathematics and naval construction, of
8001.

The Committee think that in future new expenses,
unless connected with the interests of the navy,
should be excluded from this estimate. They believe
that the advancement of science will be better pro-
moted by a direct appeal to the House of Commons
than by the introduction into these estimates of charges
which have no reference to the naval strength of the
British empire.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.
PORTSMOUTH, SUNDAY.—Yesterday morning the First
Lord of the Admiralty and Captain Eden, his private
secretary, embarked in the Admiralty barge from the
Sallyport-stairs for the dockyard, to hull a levee at the
Naval College. At halt-past nine o'clock the inter-
views commenced. The following officers were pre-
sented:—

Rear-Admiral—Douglas.
Captains—Sir Henry Lecke, Joseph Harrison, and the
lion. G. F. Hastings.
Commanders Graham Ogle, Moorman, Michell;
Western, Tarleton, Schoenberg, Curtis, Morrell, Fegin,
Franklin, Douglas, Seymour, Hewlett, Granby, Guinness,
Johnson, and Edwin.

Lieutenants Cochran (flag), Herrick (Admiralty
flag), Compton, Millen, IL Walker, Morri3, Haslett,
Barnard, R. Ward, J. Stone, H. Lappidge, Oxenhate,
Rooke, Hall, Brydges, the Hon. J. R. Byng, and Darby.
Masters—Thomas, Ellis, and White.
Mate—Huthwaite.
A,sistant-Surgeon—Pritchard.
Messrs—Hodges and Jameson.
ROYAL MARINES.

Lieutenant-Colonel 11. 13311ingal:
Lit utenant—Searle.

Surgeon—Dr. Irvine.
Whilst the First Lord hold his levee Admiral Dundas,
Captains Lords J. ILly and Milne, with the master ship-
wright, mustered the men of the dockyard, who after-
wards had a holyday. Colonel .Irvine and Captain
Ellice in the meanwhile transacted business with Cap-
tain James, the Royal Engineer officer in charge of the
works of this port. Mr. Secretary Ward and Captain
Berkeley also transacted business connected with their
more immediate departments. About twelve o'clock the
above duties having been brought to a close, the whole
board, accompanied by the Admirals and their staff,
and a party of ladies, embarked in the Lightning
steamer and went out to Spithead to witness the steam
trials of the Termagant frigate, 32 guns, 1,640 tons, 620-
horse power, built by White, of Cowes; the Encounter,
1,000 tons, 360-horse power, built by Fincham; and the
Plumper, 12 guns, 650 tons, and 60-horse power (also
by Fincham). These vessels went out at ten o'clock, in
order to get their machinery into good order by the
time the Admiralty went out. The Termagant was
commanded by Commander Stevens, of the steam-squa-
dron; the Encounter by Commader Grenfell, of the
Illustrious; and the Plumper by Lieutenant Robertson, of
the steam establishment at Woolwich. The following
Admiralty and other officers were on -board the three
vessels :—Captain Horatio Austen, C. 8., Chief Superin-
tendent of the steam squadron at this port ; Mr. Lloyd,
Chief Admiralty Engineer ; Captain Halstead, Mr. F.
P. Smith, Inspector of Screw-propellers, &c. ; Com-
mander Matson, Commander Johnson, the officers of
the Royal Naval College, Mr. J. White. of Cowes, Mr.
Seaward, -of the firm of Seaward and Cape!, the civil
engineers of 'London ; Mr. Murray, civil enginr er ; Mr.
Penn, the civil engineer of Greenwich ; Mr. Fincham,
Mr. John Fincham, &c. The result of the trials at the
measured mile or knot in Stoke's Bly was (officially)
—Termagant, 9 knots ; Encounter, 10.2 ; Plumper, 5 4.
When the Admiralty, in the Lightning, got up with the
steam squadron, they gave orders that they should steam
round the Herefordshire at the Motherbank, and round
the Powerful at Spithead, a course of about eight miles;
in making which the Encounter went ahead of the Ter-
magant at the rate of about a knot an hour. On return-
ing, the order was given for the Encounter to close and
stop, when their Lordships -went on board, inspected the
vessel, and then re-embarked in their barge,