The Sun.
London, England, 1858-08-18 00:00:00

Tli E NAVY.

Sir John Pakington and the other Lcrds of the Admiralty
left the Diadem in lI amoaze at 10 o'clock on Monday morn-
ing, and proceeded to the office of the Admiral Superinten-
dent, Sir Thomas Pasley, in Devonport Dockyard. From
11 to balf-pest 1 was occupied in mustering the ar isans, who
were relieved from duty for the remainder of the day. The
gunboat Redwing was in attendance to convey their Lord-
ships to the breakwater in Plymouth Sound, but in conse-
quence of the unsettled state of the weather their inspection
on Monday was confined entirely to the dockyard. In
building slip No. 1 is the screw stcamvessel Pantaloon, 10,
in frame. No. 2is vacant. In No. 3is the Narcissus, 50-
gun screw. She was designed for a sailing vessel, and was
nearly built in slip No. 2, when it was determined to
lengthen and convert her into a steamer. She was therefore,
about 12 months since, taken down in pieces, and rebuilt
in the present slip, which is larger. In No. 4 is the Java,
20, screw, just began framing. In No. 5 slip is the Done-
gal, 101, screw, seven-eighths built. She will be launched
towards the close of September. In dock No. lis the Cum-
berland, 70 gnus, docked on the 12th inst., having been
ashore, and carried off her fe!&e keel In South America.
In No. 2 dock is the Liberian schooner Lark, 2, which has
been eight years on service on the coast of Africa for
survey. As her repairs will cost over £2,000., and she will
then be but an old ship, it is supposed that the Admiralty,
rather titan iccur that expense, will present the Liberian
Government with another vesql. Iu Ne. 3 is the sixth-
rate
c contains
nstaai
ni sailing
theg strip
Gannet,Creol e 1
26, forwardingscrescrew,
preparing for commission.for
the
steam No.
4
second-rate sailing ship Lion, SO,
reserve; and No. 5 the
altering to a screw. In the brain is the Topaz, 50, screw,
preparing for the steam reserve. Alongside the dockyard
are the Aboukir, 00, :crew, and the St. Jean d'Acre, 101,
screw, both preparing. for the steam resolve. The latter
will replace the .ATOrion he Lords of the Admiralty dined
in the evening with nii al Superintendent Sir John
p„ioy, after which they patronized a ball at St. George's-
hall, Stonchome, in support of the funds of the Naval and
Military Orphan Asylum at Stoke. The official dinner will
be given at Ba'es's Royal Hotel, Plymouth, this (Wednes-
day) evening, and the hide held in Devonport dockyard to-
morrow morning.
The Cresar, 91, screw ship of the line, Cep•aln Chalks
Fred r'ek, itri.,Ld ut Spithead yesterday at noon, from an
tip; t.t days' cruise.
The Victor Emmanuel, 91, screw ship-of-the-line, Capt.
James Willcox, C.D., being fitted out at Portsmouth, is
taking in provisions and stores, and will soon be ready to go
to Spithead to join the Channel squadron.
The En,yalus, .51, Captein John W. Tarlet on, C. 8., in
dock at Portsmouth, when repaired, will join the Channel
squadron until such time as Prince Alf ed shall embaik,
which it is expected will be about October.
The Neptune, 120, sailing three-decker, was taken into
dock at Portsmouth on Mouthy, tt (be coui et ted.'wo a screw
two-decker.

•
The Terrible, 21, paddlewheel steam-frigate, Captain F.
11. H. Glasse, C. 8., is ordered to be held in readiness to tow
the Queen, 116, line• of-hat tie sailing-ship, from Devonport
to Sheerness, an order having been given for that vessel to
be got in readiness for sca at that dockyard. On her return
the Terrible will convey a detachment of the Royal Marine
Light Infantry from the Chatham division for the Royal
Albert, 121, flagship, at Devonport. The Valorous, 16,
paddlewheel steamer, Captain W. C. Aldham, is ordered to
accompany the Queen, 116, to Sheerness and afterwards to
tow the Mersey, 40, from Chatham to Pottsmouth.

MELANCHOLY OCCURRENCE.--Another very dis-
tressing case of loss of life %sidle bathing has, ust occurred at
Aberdeen. The Rev. William Smith, of the United Presby-
terian Church, Bannockburn, wbo had gone on a visit to
Aberdeen, left his lodgings on Saturday forenoon, in com-
pany with a friend, Mr. Paterson, teacher, to enjoy a walk,
when, induced by the extremely warm day, they proceeded
towards the Links, Mr. Smith having expressed a wish
to take advantage of the line beach and bathe. Ia
cressing the Links the wind appeared to the friends to b:
pretty strong at sea, and Mr. Paterson felt rather desirous
Mr. Smith should nut bathe, end repeated the sad
in__ ,
circum-
stances attendant on the death of a promisingi youngs life,au
the son of one of the city magistrate,
while bathing, about two months ago.
ieluriarly es he was a
however, think there was any danger, par+
wr bad lost
did not,
fr d to the beach, Mr.
safe distance. Ile accordingly nrueere
along the Links till
swimmer, and he would take care not toe venture out beyond a
Paterson meanwhile taking
s'al'ting
Mr. Smith en-
gagedi was cautioned
he should return. On reaching
a bathing coach, brie,
diver, who is now employed
by M‘Farlane, the
PrdesssuVtantly en the beach to be ready
by the authorities to hetet;
go far out, and to be wary of a on si
incase of a-ciden ts,l
"the strength of which had almost proved
beforea ttohnes
t
current then running, t,.
tr.ly Afttr t,el , i. •
few hunts pt evio . . .. ni, a s 'eV time
fatal to a man a
Smith was observed Ly a gentleman, vh
in the waier, Mr.
the same spot to b ' °
was bathing near, e apparently in the
r and showing
power of the corren , _ signs of distres-,. Tire
gentleman instantly gave the alarm, the life-boat was
l launched, ;mum (I by the
quickly au (liver and other two
men and encouragement by shouting meantime given
to die struggling swimmer, who was still- seen keepieg
afloat. To the spectators
there seemed to be every
hope Mr. Smith would be saved ; but unfortunately the
current proved too powerful for his strength, for when
the boat was not more than 10 yards from biro he sank.
and though every every exertion was made to recover his
body, it bad not been seen up to Monday morning. The
melanehlly event—all the more distressing that the unfor-
tunate gentleman has left a widow and numerous family—
has called forth deep sympathy in Aberdeen. Mr. Smith
Was about 45 years of age.—North British .Daily Alai/.