The Sun.
London, England, 1858-12-22 00:00:00

TIM NAVE

A court-martial was holden yesterday on board
the flag-ship Victory, in Portsmouth Harbour, to
try Captain Thomas H. Mason, and the master,
Mr. Edward Maunder, of the Curacoa, 31, screw,
for getting that ship ashore at the time of being
in attendance on Lord rtratford de Redcliffe, in the
Mediterranean. After the depositions of the seve-
ral witnesses the captain read his defence, and the
master placed certificates before the court, which
was then cleared, and on being re-opened, the court
having taken into consideration the whole of the
circumstances, did only recommend Capt. Mason
and Mr. Maunder to be more careful for the future.

After a short interval the court re-opened to try
Lieutenant Barnadiston, of the Curacoa (he being
officer of the watch), for running into and coming
into contact with the Austrian brig Positivo,
which vessel was on a wind, and the Curacoa
at full speed. It appears that the Curacoa
had ported her helm at the time, seeing that the
brig was keeping her luff and close on a wind; but
observing her to pay off, the Curacoa shifted her
helm to starboard, and shortly after the collision
took place. There are many more witnesses to
examine, and in all probability the case will take
up nearly another day. The prisoner is defended
by his friend Mr. James Hoskins, of Gosport. The
Court was composed of the following members—
Rear Admiral - Superintendent Grey (President) ;
Captains the Hon. Joseph Denman, George Henry
Seymour, George T. Gordon, Robert Harris,
Richard S. Hewlett, Mr. Hellycr, deputy judge
advocate (officer of the court), and First Lieut.
Robinson, of. the Victory.
Argus, 6, paddle, Commander Herbert F. W.
Ingram, is under orders for sea, and, weather per-
mitting, will go out of Portsmouth Harbour to-day
for Channel service.

The Dee, 4, paddle, Master Commander Thomas
C. Pullen, and 'the Rhadamanthus, 4, paddle,
Master Commander Frederick R. Sturdee, troop
and store ships, having discharged their respective
freights in Portsmouth harbour, will leave for
Woolwich this morning.
THE ILLUSTRIOUS.—As it appears the contradic-
tion we gave to the report that Captain Harris was
seriously ill has not reached some quarters where
the erroneous report, was read, we have great
pleasure in repeating that the gallant captain is in
the enjoyment of perfect health.

DEATH OF VICE ADMIRAL P. J. DOUGLAS.—
This gallant officer (whose death has just been an-
nounced). received his commission as lieutenant on
the 11th June, 1804, and served in the boats of the
Beaver at the capture of five vessels in the Elbe in
1805. He served also in the Franchise at the de-
struction of batteries at Curacoa ; commanded a
boat at the capture of the French privateer General
Ferand, off Jamaica, in 1806 ; he was appointed
commander 17th Feb., 1807, and served at the cap-
ture of the Raposa brig of war, of 12 guns and 95
men, when he was wounded ; also at the capture of
the Spanish schooner of war El Carmen, off La
Guayra. Was in command of a tender, and beat off
two privateers of superior force. Commander of
the Reindeer, and captured five vessels of war in
four months ; and formed part of the squadron at
the destruction of forts and shipping at Samana.
Commanded the same vessel in the Walcheren ex-
pedition. He was promoted to captain, 26th Nov.,
1811, and served as commodore of the Jamaica
squadron in 1838-39-40, and was importantly en-
gaged in the Gulf of Mexico, where he was twice
commander-in-chief. He obtained his flag rank as
rear-admiral, 7th January, 1848, and vice-admiral
3d July, 1855. Vice-Admiral Douglas was ap-
pointed to receive the good service pension on
the 21st July, 1856, and was gazetted in 1806 for
his valuable services.

By the death of Vice-Admiral Douglas, a vacancy
occurs on the list of flag officers on reserved half-
pay in receipt of a service pension, value £l5O, and
which is in the nomination of the First Lord of the
Admiralty ; and should Sir John Pakington adopt
the course taken by the former Lords of the Admi-
ralty in appointing one of the officers on the active
list of vice-admirals to the vacancy caused by the
death of Vice-Admiral Douglas, the following pro-
motions will take place :
Rear-Admiral of the Red Sir G. R. Lambert,
K.C.8., to be Vice-Admiral of the Blue.
Rear-Admiral of the White C. R. D. Bethune,
C. 8., to be Rear-Admiral of the Red.

Rear-Admiral of the Blue G. R. Mundy to be
Rear-Admiral of the White.

Captain T. Henderson (1840) to be Rear-Ad•
miral of the Blue.

Captain F. 1). Hastings and G. Hathorn become
Rear-Admirals on the reserved half-pay list.
By the promotion of Captain Henderson a cap-
tain's good service pension reverts to the patronage
of the First Lord of the Admiralty.
Captain L. T. Jones, C.B. (1840), a recipient of
the good service pension, is now the senior captain
for promotion.