The Sun.
London, England, 1848-11-25 00:00:00

PRO3IOTIONS.

Clerk—Henry D. Collins (139), who has been act-
ing paymaster and purser of the Vixen steam-sloop, on
the West India station, the fourteenth in seniority on
the list, an officer who volunteered to serve in the boats
at Nicaragua, in the affair for which his commander was
promoted, and the commander of the expedition was
made a C. 8., has been promoted to the rank of pay-
master and purser.
Clerk—Thomas C. J. Dryden (1839), the thirteenth
in seniority on the list, clerk in charge of the Ardent
steam-vessel, in the Mediterranean, has been promoted
to the rank of paymaster and purser.
The promotion of the above officers will give satisfac-
tion even among their own class.
APPOINTMENTS.

Clerk—ll. C. Pool, to the Royal Sovereign, yacht, at
Pembroke.
Midshipmen—Edwin Field, to the Orestes, at Spit-
head; C. J. Rowley, to the St. Vincent, 120, at Spit-
he d; S. F. Jeayes, to the Plumper, screw-schooner, at
r'Ort smoutb.
The squadron under Rear-Admiral Sir C. Napier,
was expected to sail to-day, there having been
a fine breeze from the north all day. At half-past nine,
A.M., the squadron got up topgallant masts, and crossed
topgallant and royal yards, but shortly afterwards made
all snug again. When the move was first made every
one thought the ships were about to start, and numbers
planted themselves in the most convenient. places to
observe the manoeuvres, but were doomed to disappoint-
ment. It is understood at present they will sail to-
morrow. The alarming illness of Captain S. C.
Dacres, of the flag-ship, is said to be in some part the
cause of the squadron not proceeding. The Plumper,
12, Commander Nolloth, and the Reynard, 12, Com-
mander Cracroft, sorew-schooners, have been placed
under the orders of Sir C. Napier, who will send them
to Spithead after he has tried them,
The Reynard went to Spithead, on Thursday, to try
her engines and speed. The engines worked admirably,
and her speed was about the same as her last trial, 7
knots 1-10th, with 58 revolutions, with a multiple of
two, fan revolutions 116. The mean speed from eight
trials along the measured mile was 7 knots, steam pres-
sure 12 5, drawing aft 12 feet inches, forward 11
feet. Her fan is 8 feet 6 in. in diameter, six inches less
than her sister vessel, the Plumper, at a pitch of 9 feet,
while the pitch of the Plumper screw is only 6 feet. The
trial altogether was most satisfactory, but her speed is
not quite equal to the Plumper. It should be stated, how-
ver, that the Plumper was then comparatively light,
while the Reynard has all her weights on board.
These vessels have, so far as they have been tried, in-
contestably proved their superiority over the 16-gun
brigs, and will, doubtless, supersede the building of any
more of this class. These vessels are armed with 10
32-pounders, of 25 cwt. each, and 2 pivot-guns, of 56
ewt. each; they stow three months' provisions, and about
20 days' coal. The Plumper has more depth in hold,
and has much more facilities for stowage than the Rey-
nard, which, as we have before stated, is only a pirated
copy and specimen of navy-office smartness, and by an
error, the occurrence of which is much to be regretted,
the Plumper's masts are two feet shorter than the Rey-
nerd's.

The Victory, flag-ship of the Commander. in-Chief at
Portsmouth, Captain F. P. Blackwood, has been made
snug for the winter months, her topgallant masts are got
on deck, and in lieu has shipped pole flag-staves ; her
topmasts are struck, and her fore and main yards
lowered.

The Castor, 36, will be completed at Chatham, and
ready for the pendant by the end of next week.

The SapphO, 14, has been brought alongside the jetty,
at Portsmouth, to be further fitted in her rigging.
The Nautilus transport, from the Falkland Islands,
has been ordered to Woolwich.

The Encounter, screw•ship, went out from Portsmouth
Harbour yesterday, to try her speed, under command of
Commander Stevens, of the Blenheim. She had all her
guns, shot, and stores on board, and drew about 12 feet
1 inch 'aft, 11 feet 4 forward. It is considered that her
crew and other weight to be put on board, when fitted
for service,- would be from 60 to 70 tons more, which
would probably bring her four or five inches deeper in
the water. A great number of officers and gentlemen
went out in her, and Rear-Admiral Superintendent
Prescott, C. 8., followed her out, and went on board her
in Stokes Bay. Her engines worked moat splendidly.
She made, we understand, 74 to 75 revolutions: the last
iirne she was tried, when light, she made, we believe, 78.
Her mean speed yesterday was 9 knots 3- 10ths, on five
trials along the measured mile. She returned into har-
bour at three o'clock. We understand she will be a
captain% command, instead of a commander's, as at first
intended.

The Driver steara-sloop, Commander Johnson, sailed
from Portsmouth .yesterday morning, for Portland, with
68 convicts, whd are to work on the breaklatcr at that
The llosaman steam-sloop, Commander Foote,. will bo
completed by the dockyard at Chatham, on Saturday
and. is expected to leave the port early next
wet*, for Devonport, whence sbe prouecds to INraples,
after she-has been paid advance.
Mr. Lang, master shipwright at Woolwich Dockyard,
hag been ordered to join Mr. Watts, Assistant-Surveyor
of the Navy, and, in conjunction with the officers of
Chatham Dockyard, to assist in the general nirvky of
the Vernon, 50, when she i 3 ready, this ship having been
built by Mr. Lang.