The Sun.
London, England, 1846-01-03 00:00:00

BRISTOL, JAN. 1.

Srocx EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Bristol and Exeter,
New, 83—Midland, New, 32—Wilts, Somerset, and Wey-
mouth, 4.

LAUNCH OF THE FURY STEAM-

FRIGATE AT SHEERNESS.
Tuesday being the day appointed for the launch of
this fine vessel, the town of Sheerness exhibited the usual
demonstrations of a general holiday; and the day being
fine overhead, for nearly an hour before the time fixed
for the launch (ten o'clock) the dockyard was thronged
with crowds cf well-dreised people from all parts of the
island, who, however, were doomed to be disappointed at
this time, for the wind, which was previously blowing
pretty stiffly, had in the inter= risen to a pie, and th©
launch was consequently obliged to be deterred till the
occurrence of more favourable weather. The day fol-
lowing, Wednesday, proving a most favourable one, it
was determined that the launch should come off that
day, about two o'clock; and on the gates being thrown
open, the dockyard was seon crowded. At the head of
the vessel a bond covered with crimson cloth was erected
for the accommodation of the Commander-in-Chief, the
captain, superintendent, and numerous other naval and
military officers, with their ladies. Shortly before two►
o'clock, the Commander-in. Chief, Vice Admiral
Sir Edward King, K.C.H., arrived with his
lady and daughter, and took their stations on
the platform. When all was ready for knock-
ing out the dog•shores, a bottle of wine having
been opened, Miss King, who officiated at the christen-
ing, drank success to the Fury, and immediately after-
wards broke the bottle of wine on the bow of the vessel,
ar.d the dog-shores being loosened, the gallant ship
glided majestically into the Medway, amid the enthu-
siastic cheers of the assembled spectators, and the strains
of the Trafalgar's band, which was in attendance during
the ceremony. The vessel was decorated with the royal
standard at the main, the Admiralty flag at the fore,
and the union jack at the mizen; but permission was not
given, as usual, for any visitors to be launched in the
ship. The arrangements of the authorities were admi-
rably made for the public accommodation, and all went
off in a most satisfactory manner. After the launch
she was taken in charge by the master attendant, and
hauled into dock to be coppered. She was found to
float almost on an even keel, her draught of water for-
ward and aft being nearly eight feet. The position on
the water and general appearance was much admired.
She is constructed on the design of the surveyor of th
navy, and is considered an improvement on his former
steam vessels by possessing a greater length and fulness
of section. She has been built rather hurriedly, her
keel having been laid down only in May last; her
timbers had, however, been previously well seasoned.
Her paddle-cases are complete, with the exception of
the life-boats, with which they are to be surmounted
her cabins are all fitted and painted, and her mess tables
and stools are on board, so that with the exception of
her machinery she is launched, almost in every respect
ready for commission. The following are her principal
dimensions:—

Ft. In.

0 1 coals
Ft. In.; Engine-room..
47 0
LLeetonn
120 o Width of ditto ...
perpendiculars .... Depth of ditt0......, 2l 0
Length of keel for
166 01 Diameter of paddle-
of engine-
-65 08 1 s ••• .........
engine-
Length tt.
hha
tonnage
t r.
between.m. . . e it.
h. . .:. 214 6 ' Lengthwroeme l
, Registered tonnage of
r00m....,,.,,,., 461 77
Engines, 500 horse-power
paddle-boxes ...... 57 4 'Arm -
'Armament to consist of two
Depth in h01d......., 21 0 1 68-pounders, two long 42-
Burthen in tons
No. 1,123 pounders, and two 42-
58-94
1 pounder carronades.
Breads,3.ll t
moulded e
for tonnage tru et
sm ed
..0..
..f. 3388

THE GALES IN THE CHANNEL.
(From the Jersey Tines.)
Our coast within the last few days has been again the
scene of a number of peculiarly violent gales. The earlier
part of last week, which had been distinguished for a re-
merkably hard and biting frost, was succeeded in the
latter part by wind and rain of a fiercely tempestuous
character. On Friday the wind blew with so much force
and violence on shore, that chimney pots in various
quarters were thrown from their positions, branches of
trees were wrested from their parent stems, and window
panes dashed to atoms. But the commotions on land
were trifling to those to be seen on the bosom of the sea.
Far as the eyecould reach the billows seemed to lift them-
selves mountains high. No vessel could leave the port
of St. Ilelier's without risk of experiencing the untoward
effects of their daring venture, nor could any craft safely
direct its helm in quest of shelter to our harbour—the
hundreds of hidden rocks which gird our shore threatening
destruction to both goers out and comers in. The mails
also between Jersey and England have especially expe-
riencedeffects of the storm. So fiercely raged the sea on
Tuesday last that the mail, which should have left the
island at the hour of eight o'clock the same morning,
was prevented from setting sail till twelve o'clock at
night, a partial calm having in the meantime supervened.
The mail, also, which should have arrived in Jersey on
Sunday morning early, did not make its appearance
till yesterday (Monday) morning about seven o'clock.
Nor is it with respect to the delay of the mails thati
hin-
convenience has been alone felt. During the lasotael
of
days the communication between Jersey and the c
in spite
France has been completely at a stand,snuom
vessel,mn sufficient
of the promise of reward, being able to
week, en route for
The vessel,
numbercourage
of set
E no
gu
lti upon,.h
gentlemenhe enterprise.
reached Jersey
metric
considerable
the Wonder, on Sunday morning
Christ-
masF ran,c, ea,h3f,,i,rwtyiste
tphuerirp
however, which I:o'fsureilednodfl:asvpienencdia3lrrnirgtitta'adn Brittany. The
onwards
on Mondapyassheandgeb
re
se
ton
ti thseeilrf
dsetsotri
nma•
tbi
00
nu
.n dmionnFd
ar
ya France for
two days previously., and had been unabie to reach Jersey
passed away, and the Lord WednesdayCoiling-
,dil'ao'c,;"dillavnwelaestill confined in the harbour of St. Malo.
Christmas morning dawned, and our wayfarers found
that it was " all up with their " merrie Christmas."
Some would have immediately returned again toEngland,
but, unfortunately, their final resolution had not teen
made till two hours after the last vessel, for tt"
unfor-
tunates" e week,
lied taken its departure. A full half of tteze
set sail for their native land gain. on Sunday
morning, while the other moiety. either plucking up a