The Sun.
London, England, 1848-08-28 00:00:00

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

WOOLWICH, AUG. 26.—LAUNCH OF THE BASILISIE:.—
The preparations for the launch of this tine steam-sloop
were finished shortly after eleven o'clock, A.m., to-day,
and a great number of persons assembled to witness the
interesting spectacle. The arrangements were unosten-
tatious, but complete, and instead of the elevated plat-
form generally constructed for the accommodation of
select parties and the authorities, which prevented the
launches being seen to advantage by others, a platform,
only elevated about one foot from the ground, was laid,
surmounted by a table covered with a flag, on which was
placed the wine with which the vessel was to be chris-
tened, and her SUCCCSS drank by the sponsors and heads
of the dockyard departments. Commodore Sir
Gordon Bremer, K.C.B. and K.C.H., and Lady
Gordon Bremer, arrived at the slip at a few mi-
nutes past eleven, and witnessed the removal of
the dog-shores; and when the workmen came to the
last shore, her ladyship drank a glass of wine to
the success of the Basilisk, and immediately after broke
a bottle of wine on the bows of the vessel, and the

noble vessel glided off the stocks in the finest style ima-
ginable, amidst the enthusiastic cheers of the assembled
spectators, the brass baud of the Dockyard brigade
playing, "Rule Britannia." The Basilisk was brought
up at moorings near Charlton pier, and is a remarkably
fine vessel in appearance. Captain Blair, Lieutenant
Robertson, and Lieutenant Fowler, R.N.; Lieutenant-
Colonel Belson, Brigade-Major Cuppage, Royal Artil-
lery and Royal Marines were present on the occasion,
and many private families in carriages; and every part
of the ceremony went off in the best manner, under the
direction of Mr. Lang, master shipwright, and Mr. Chal-
field and Mr. Peake, assistants.

The Dover steam-vessel, formerly one of the Dover
mail steam-packets, being light in draught of water, has
been thoroughly refitted at Woolwich, and was com-
missioned to-day by Mr. Bolton, acting master, for ser-
vice on the coast of Africa.
Announcements have been made that nine stokers are
wanted for the Virago steam-sloop, at present in a state
of readiness for sea at Sheerness. It is supposed she
will be ordered to attend during her Majestfs excur-
sion to Scotland, but no official notice has as et been
issued relative to the service for which she is to be got
ready.

Mr. Stuart, the pilot engaged to navigate the Royal
Victoria and Albert yacht to Woolwich, left this after-
noon for Portsmouth. Captain Lord Adolphus Fitz-
Clarence will come round from Portsmouth to Woolwich

in command of the Royal yacht, and she is expected to
arrive here about half-past six or seven o'clock on Mon-
day evening.
THE SQUADRON OF EXERCISE.

Cons, AUGUST 25.—The Reynard screw, 8-gun
schooner, Commander P. Craycroft, arrived at Covu this
morning, from Kingston, and the Pilot, 16-gun sloop,
Commander E. M. Lyons, from Tarbert. The
squadron under Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Na-
pier's command, for exercising purposes, consisting
of the St. Vincent, 120 guns (flag), Captain S. C.
Dacres ; the Prince Regent, 92, Captain W. F. Martin,
the Bellerophon, 78, Captain R. L. Baynes, C.B. ; the
Amphiou, 34, Captain W. J. Williams ; the Tweed, 18,
Commander Lord Francis Russell; the Stromboli steam-
sloop, Commander Lord A. W. Beauclerk ; the Pilot,
16, Commander E. M. Lyons ; the Helena, 16, Com-
mander G. W. Smith ; the Frolic, 16, Commander Van-
sitart; and the Reynard screw steam-schooner, 8 guns,
Commander P. Craycroft, sailed this day to cruise and
exercise off Cape Clear, where the Blenheim screw
guard-ship, 55 guns, Captain H. D. Chads, C. 8., is
ordered to join them. The squadron will return to
Cork after about a fortnight's absence. Tho Trident
steam-vessel, Lieutenant Risk, R.N., commanding, and
the Lucifer, steam tender to the St. Vincent, Lieutenant
G. A. T. Lloyd, R.N., commanding, remain at Cork
under the orders of Rear-Admiral Mackay, the com-
mander-in-chief of the Irish station.
A PPOINTMENTS.

Secretary's Secretary.—H. G. Ward, Esq., M.P., first
secretary to the Board of Admiralty, has appointed Mr.
Thomas James, senior, third-class clerk at the Admi-
ralty, to be his private secretary.
Mate.—G. Gray, to the Raleigh, 50. gun frigate, bear-
ing the broad pendant of Commodore Sir Thomas Her-
bert, in the River Plate.
Midshipmen.—J. Starhouse and W. F. Richards to the
Southampton 50-gun frigate, fitting out at Chatham as
the flag-ship of Rear-Admiral Reynolds, for the Cape of
Good Hope command ; J. Carnegie to the San Josef
flag-ship, at Plymouth ; J. C. Fitzgerald to the Helena
sloop in Sir Charles Napier's exercising squadron.
AVENGER SUBSCRIPTION.—The committee of this
subscription intend meeting early next month at the
Naval College, to reconsider each case, of which they.
have received upwards of 200, and vote a continuation of
monthly donations to such persons as they may consider
proper objects.—Porta'noulh paper.

Mr. G. Cornewall Lewis, M.P., and' Mr. Wad-
dington, the Under-Secretaries of State for the Dome
Department, will both remain in town during the neces-
sary absence of Sir George Grey in attendance upon her
Majesty. The Atteneral will also be in readiness,
in case his services asorney-G chief legal adviser should be at any
time necessary.--Obssrver.
Lord Brougham has joined Lady Brougham, at
Brougham Hall, from town. The Noble and Learned
Lord left London rather earlier than was expected, in
order to receive the Countess ofJersey and Lady Clemen-
tine, Villiers, end a select party of friends.