The Sun.
London, England, 1846-06-04 00:00:00

SQUADRON OF EVOLUTION.

We publish in another part of our impression of this
day a series of communications from the squadron of
evolution, which form a most striking contrast to the
observations we had unfortunately occasion to make on
the sluggish performances and inefficient command of
the trial squadron last year. On the present occasion
the whole arrangement of the cruise, the nature of the
evolutions, the evident improvement in the ships' com-
panies, and the masterly handling of the vt ssels, have
produced most interesting, satisfactary, and instructive
results. The severe gale which blew in the Channel im-
mediately after the squadron had left Spithead defeated
one of the principal objects of this cruise, which w. s to
try the powers of the large steamers under sail, and to
put in practice some novel combinations of naval tactics
produced by the union of first-class steamers of war with
a squadron of line-of-battle ships. But the accidental
cause which frustrated this project and dispersed the
principal steam portion of the fleet, has served to ex-
hibit in a most striking light the vast inferiority of our
best steamers to ships of the line at sea, and the incon-
veniences attached to this whole class of vessels. With
the exception of the Rattler, which is, we believe, fitted
at this time with Woodcroft's screw propeller,
and which distinguished herself on all occasions, under
sail as well as steam, the large steamers have proved
huge incumbrances to the fleet. The Terrible and Cy-
clops were missing, for they had, in fact, put back into
Plymouth to refit after the first gale ; the Retribution,
though less shaken by the gale, parted company on the
17th of May ; and the Gladiator was the only steam •
frigate that held on with the fleet, and upon her joining
the signal was made:to take off her paddle-floats. The
Devastation had proceeded at once on a particular ser-
vice. As an experimental steam cruise the failure is
complete, but it is all the more instructive. We have
never affected to undervalue the importance of steam-
vessels as auxiliar;es to a fleet, more especially in ope-
rations near land, or in rivers, &c. ; but it is clear that
very large steamers constructed on the present system
are comparatively useless at sea. If this fleet had been
ordered to proceed to the coast of America on a rapid
hostile expedition, or if it had been engaged in one
of those terrible chases of an enemy's squadron
which have so often tried the whole patience and
energy of our seamen, the presence of the steamers
would have defeated the object, they would have
retarded the squadron, and perhaps proved useless for
want of coals on their arrival at their destination. The
Rattler, indeed, the only screw-propelled steamer of the
squadron, must be excepted from these observations ;
and the experiment is highly favourable to that ingee
nious mode of applying steam power. But, generally
speaking, the advantage has been in favour of the prac-
tical utility of small rather than of first-class steamers,
and none of them have, as sea-going ships, the indis-
pensable qualities of the man-of-war:under canvass. This
experiment has, therefore, greatly strengthened:the con-
viction we have repeatedly expressed, in opposition to
the doctrines of the Prince de Joinville, who holds that
steam-vessels are destined to supersede the ancient bul-
warks of the navy. Commodore Sir Francis Collier de-
serves credit for the spirit and activity he has infused
into the movements of the squadron during this cruise.
The trial of-the 19th of May between the Vanguard and
the Rodney, which our correspondent has described with
a sailor's enthusiasm, shows how completely the com-
manders of those fine ships and their gallant crews have
now got them in hand. The night exercise at the guns
on the 27th of May was performed with astonishing ra-
pidity and precision. At 11 o'clock P.M. the order ",Lash-
up hammocks" was heard, followed by beating to quarters;
in fire minutes from that moment the Queen fired her first
gun, and within seven minutes more the whole squadron
had opened its fire, ending with the deep roar of the
huge artillery of the Scourge. Thee rounds were fired,
and in less than an hour from the first signal the ships
had resumed their former appearance, hammocks were
piped down, and at midnight the watch was called. The
squadron will probably reach the Cove of Cork about
the 9th of June, where some experiments will be made
in landing the marines of the squadron, the field-pieces,
and a large party of seamen on Spike Island ; and
another similar demonstration is also projected on
Whiddy Island, in Bantry Bay, where th shore is more
difficult of access. As, however, it is intended very
shortly to re-assemble the whole squadron at Ports-
mouth, for several important reasons, these operations
that the
thoef
postponed.emvaoylutpioons6s-ibolfythbeecosnbi ne
d
steam We may hoped
squadron
the line will still be tried, as they may be applied with
increased rather than diminished utility within reach ofour
coasts. We trust that, to these pacific and inoffensive
exercises, the strength of our navy may long be confined,
and that the bare reputation of their power may suffice
to shield the honour and interests of the country. But
if, without our seeking fresh opportunities to raise the
renown of British seamen, and in spite of the sincere
efforts of a temperate policy to preserve the tranquillity
of the world, we are driven to resort to more decided
measures, we are proud to think that a finer squadron
has never left our ports, and that it would be foll ,wed,
if necessary, by reinforcements eager to att lin the same
degree of excellence. Meanwhile, the detachment of
Sappers sod Artillerymen who are about to leave Wool-
wich, under the orders of Captain Black wood, for the
purpose of strengthening the British forts in the Oregon
territory, are ready to proeee I on their destination, and
they will take out with them stores amply sufficient to
provide for the defence of that province by the agents of
die Hudson's Bay Company.—Tinzes.

FATAL ACCIDENT AT LONDON-DRlDGE.—Yesterday,
Mr. W. Baker, jun., held an inquest at the Town of Ram,-
gate, Wapping, on the tody of William Somers, aged eleven
vears. It appeared from the evidence, that on the 20th of
IMay the deceased was leaning over one of the recesses oti
London-bridge, when the wind blew the cap off his head on
to the stone work outside the balustrades. He attempted to
reach it, and, in so doing, he lost his balance and was pre-
cipitated into the liver. Every exertion was made to save
him, but without effect. A sailor, named Brown, picked the
body up off Wapping Old Stairs, on Monday morning last,
and conveyed it to the dead-house. The mother identified
the body is that of her son. The jury returned a verdict of
6 Accidental death."
_ _

VICTORIA PARK.—This now popular place of resort
at the east end of the metropolis has been a great source of
attraction during the holidays. It was visited on Whit Sun-
day alone by upwards of 25,000 persons, and by about 5,000
each on the three following days. Since Easter it has been
twice visited by royalty, his Royal Highness Prince Albert
having made an inspection on his return from laying the
foundation of the Sailors' Church, and the Duke of Cambridge
about a week afterwards, each being attended by Mr. Curtis,
the forester.

LIFE PRESERVER.—On Monday an interesting ex-
periment was made in the Thames, near Putney-bridge, with
a belt filled with cork shavings. It was tied under the arms
of a person with his clothes on, who. on rolling overboard,
was instantly floated, with his head and shoulders above
water, down the stream. The belt was then taken off, and
thrown to the person, who, on catching and holding it,
floated as before, and WAS soot drawn on board. The cork
belt has this great advantage over the zinc drums some-
times carried on board steamers, that if it struck the persons
on being thrown to them, it could not hurt them, whereas
the heavy metal drums might do them serious injury.
iot cheap,
ha3c bd ecaennntd. s CocNreNt's sae ul I.l)i,natinrc.in nied n
dl iaaknhe
ge tearhvoeyu
sas
sea),
air-belt,
)bo, ea
notiNsil
cilaei gb(fir li
shipwreck, and teaching young people to swim, it will prove
highly serviceable. The object on Monday was to test its
power in fresh water, with the clothes on, and this it did to
the satisfaction of Phelps and Cobb, the watermen, some
gentlemen of the college, &c. This simple, ingenious, and
useful application of the buoyancy of cork is the idea and
invention of Mr. D. F. Walker, the lecturer on experimental
philosophy.
Previous to the commencement of the present year
Hertfordshire was divided between the dioceses of London
and Lincoln, and the visitations of the clergy, by the bishops
and archdeacon, for the former diocese, have usually been
holden at Ware, and the latter at Hatfield. Upon the an-
nexation of the whole county to the diocese of Rochester, on
the recommendation of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners for
England and Wales, a memorial, numerously signed by the
clergy, and gentry, and inhabitants of the town and neigh-
bourhood, was transmitted by the Rev. Mr. Birch, vicar of
All Saints', to the Lord Bishop of Rochester, and to the arch-
deacon of St. Alban's, requesting that in the proposed eccle•
siastical arrangements consequent upon the change, Hertford
might be made the centre of a district, and that the triennial
visitations of his lordship, and the annual visitations of the
archdeacon, might
be held there. The suggestions of the
memorialists
have been attended to, and t' o venerable Dr.
Grant, Arch deacon of St. Alban's, "will
will hold his primary vi-
sitation of
_ the clergy and churchwardens of the deanery of
nertrom
All Saints' Church.--Eaex Herald.