The Sun.
London, England, 1846-02-13 00:00:00

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

PORTSMOUTH. WEDNESDAY.—The Scourge steam bomb vessel,
Commander Coffin, went from Spithead to the back of the Isle of
Wight yesterday morning to make a trial of her mortar, now that
she has all her sea-going stores, ammunition, &c., on board, prior to
being reported ready and trustworthy for sea service.
On the present occasion the Scourge went out about nine o'clock,
having on board Captain Chads, of the Excellent ; Captain Stevens,
of the Royal Marine Artillery ; Lieutenant Robert 'Telmer, Gunner
Lieutenant of the Excellent; and other distinguished scientific
officers. The 'firing was under the direction of Commander Coffin.
Only tea shells were fired, and those not live shell ; one with a
charge of 101 h., and all the others with the fall charge of 201 b. of
powder; the range was not observed, but the shock to the vessel on
firing was far greater that when she was tried when light. So great
indeed was it that the centre bolt of the mortar-bed rose abontyaur
inches, and the china and such like ware in the captain's cabin „as
smashed. Beyond these no casualties or damage occurred. The
immersion on firing was not so great as when the vessel was light.
She now draws exactly 14 feet 6 inches aft, and lies 373 tons of coal
cm board. The long gun (56-poundcr) was not tired. The opinion
of the officers was, that the experiment was successful, but hem
such an opinion could be arrived at, when hitherto all the shells that
have been tired were not loaded, we are at a loss to understand.
The Styx steam-sloop, Commander lioruby, was at Ascension on
the 20th of December. This vessel has captured three slavers—viz.,
the Regenedavere and Ezpiza (empty), and the Isabel, with 352
slaves on board. It is supposed the three prizes will give the com-
mander 4001., and the officers and crew according to their ratings in
proportion. We regret to find, however, that the Styx has been vi-
sited by fever, of which the master (Mr. R. Rundle), a valuable
officer, and seen seamen, whose names are not known to us, have
died.
A private letter states—" We were ordered here (Ascension) Im-
mediately, but were so reduced from sickness and prize crews, that,
with the exception of the boatswain, the commander was the only
officer doing duty, with 9 men in one watch, and 11 in the Other.
Our men are now in the hospital doing well. It is snapring ed Com-
suffered
s
mauler Hornby will invalid and return England, h
severely from the fever."
The Vindictive, 50, Captain SeYmour, flag of Vice-Admiral SiS'
Francis Austen, K.C.8., was at Barbadoes, all well, on the 19thuit.;
as also was the Eurydice, 26, Captain Elliot, which ships were to sail
on the 19th instant for the various islands under the Admiral's com-
mand, touching at Bermuda last. This cruise (says a private letter)
was to test the respective sailing qualities of the two vessels.
The Pique, 36, Captain the Hon. M. Stopford, arrived at Barbad oes
on the 2d ult., at which date she was about to undergo a trifling
refit, prior to sailing to England to be paid orr.
The Rose; 18, Commander Pelley, arrived at Kingston, Jamaica,
on the 6th of January, from Bermuda.
The Pickle, 2, Lieutenant-Commander Bainbridge, arrived at
Jamaica, on the 6th ult., from Port-au-Prince.
The Vesuvius steam-sloop, Commander O'Callaghan, arrived at
Jamaica, on the sth ult., from Bermuda.
The Hennes steam-sloop, Lieutenant-Commander W. Carr, arrived
at Port-au-Prince, on the 23d of December, from Jamaica.
The Frolic, 16, Commander Hamilton, arrived at Maxatlan, on the
24th of November, from San Bias.
The Ann and Elizabeth schooner, wrecked on the Spit, having
driven from her anchors in the night of the 19th ult., during a terrific
gale, was "weighed" during last night by 3lessrs. Garratt and Gibbon,
the agents to Lloyd's, who have bceninde:atigable in their endeavo rs
to recover all possible from the wreck since the vessel went down,

and fifteen tons. more of her cargo were got out of her. The v,ssel
le now placed in four feet shoaler water than she was.
. .

The Rattler screw steam-sloop, Commander Smith, went out o
harbour yesterday under canvass, and sailed for Plymouth. She di
not use her steam, and appeared to be going, with all common sail
set, at about nine knots per hour.

The- Grampus, 50, Captain H. B. Martin, sailed on Sunday eve
ing for Dovouport, where she arrived on Monday, en route to Rio.
The sailing qualities of this frigate were good, but her aceammoda-
ticins, and more essential qualifications as an efficient man-of-war.
N,ry inferior.

The Cyclops steam-frigate, Captain Lapidge, is getting on with her
refit very smartly, and wilt be ready to return to the River Plate in
a few days. She had her foremast taken out yesterday afternoon,
and hhipped a new one this morning. Tier mainmast is re-rigged,
rfird the repair of defects nearly completed.
The Java, 50, alongside the jetty, is under the hands of the dock-
yard artisans, being prepared for commission.
The Amphitrite razes corvette, for heavy metal, is cops
and
painting, and will be ready for the pendant in a day or two.
The Trincomalee, sister ship, has been ready some time, and cS-
pected to hoist the pendant
The Dec steam
~ -transport, Master-Commander Thoma:nperlovripler,
having coaled, &c left yesterday afternoon fur Plymouth d
with supernumeraries.

En.B.ATurs.—The remarks attributed to Mr. S. O'Brien,
towards the close of our Fatharo3zt.t-y report yesterday, were =ade
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