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

THE NAVY.

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
111 attentiithee bil Lad qratford tle itedeliffe, 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 than glearedj Mid 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 clone 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 slips, 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. D. 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.

THE AirllfY.

EXAMINATION OF CAR TS AT THE
ROYAL MILITARY ACADEMY.

The half-yearly examination and distribution of
prizes to the gentlemen cadets of the Royal Mili-
tary Academy, Woolwich, took place yesterday.
The event was more than usually interesting, Col•
E. L. Wilford, R.A., the governor of the institu-
tion, having previously received an intimation to
the effect that his Royal Highness the General
Commanding in Chief intended to be present on
the occasion, and the usual arrangements were also
carried out for the inspection of the troops in gar-
rison. His Royal Highness arrived at Woolwich
at half-past 11 o'clock, and proceeded to the Royal
Artillery Barracks, where he was received by the
commandant, Major:General Sir W. F. Williams,
and a numerous staff of field officers. Shortly
after 12 o'clock his Royal Highness, accompanied
by the commandant and staff, rode across the Com-
mon to the Royal Military Academy, and the
arrival of the distinguished party was greeted with
a Royal salute of 21 guns. The whole of the gen-
tlemen cadets, comprising theoretical and practical
classes, were assembled on the parade ground in
front of the building as a guard of honour under
the command of Capt. E. A. Williams, R.A., second
captain of the military branch of the institution,
and the band of the Royal Artillery was stationed
near. His Royal Highness, accompanied by his
aide de camp Lieut.-Colonel Clifton, Major-General
Cameron, C. 8., vice-president of the council of
military education ; Major-Gen. Portlock and CoI.
Elwin of the council of military education ; Col.
Wilford, governor of the institution ; Major-Gen.
Sir IV. F. Williams, and other distinguished
officers of various branches of the service, then
proceeded to inspect the cadets, who were drawn
up in review order, and his Royal Highness and
staff subsequently took up a position at the flagstaff,
when the several classes of cadets went through a
series of evolutions in a masterly style, the manual
and platoon exercises being under the direction of
Gentleman Cadet Anderson, who performed his
task with such tact and skill as to elicit the marked
approbation of his Royal Highness. After
performing a series of gunnery exercise, the
gentlemen cadets assembled in the spacious dining
hall, where it was arranged that the distribution
of prizes should take place.
His Royal Highness, in appropriate terms, pre-
sented to Gentleman Cadet Anderson a handsome
sword for exemplary conduct; and also to Cadets
Woodward, Johnston, Haig, Caroll, &c., prizes, con-
sisting of mathematical instruments and valuable
books, for marked proficiency. His Royal Highness
then addressed the officers, professors, and cadets,
in most impressive and instructive terms. His
Royal Highness observed, the duties which the
cadets now assembled might hereafter be called
upon to perform were of a nature which demanded
the highest consideration and required the utmost
perseverance and energy with regard to their pre
sent studies. He was happy to find that these
qualities had been evinced in no small degree by
the gentlemen cadets during the past half-year.
He would strongly impress upon the, cadets that it
was only by persevering in their scientific studies,
even after they had obtained their commissions,
that they could hopo to turn to good account the
education they, had received at that institution. He
was certainly gratified by his visit on that day,
and should look forward with pleasure to future
visits. His Royal Highness and staff then pro-
ceeded to the residence of the Governor, and par-
took of refreshments ; and after a subsequent brief
inspection of the Royal Foot Artillery, returned to
town.

THUNDERSTORM.—A unusually heavy storm of
lightning .!.nd hail for this period of the year occurred at
Gloucester on Saturday last. The day commenced with an
increase of temperature, the barometer falling fast,
and there was a strong gale from the S.S.E. till noon,
when the wind shifted to S.W., rain having fallen inces-
santly, producing -23 of an inch. At noon the rain ceased,
and up to three o'clock the sun shone brightly, increasing
the maximum temperature to 52.5 deg. The sky became
overcast at 3.30 and flashes of lightning appeared in the
S.W. After a short lull a huge black nimbus was blown
. directly over the city, and aftr a vivid flash of lightning
and heavy thunder a tremendous storm of hail descended,
driven by furious gusts of wind. The sky became quite
black, and zigzag, globular, and sheet lightning of a vivid
rosy-blue, colour flashed at short intervals, immediately
followed by awful peals of thunder. A man was struck by
the lightning in walking along Westgate-street, and was
insensible for a few moments, when he recovered. By about
4:30 the storm had passed over, though rain continued till
5.0.. The greater part of the evening was bright. A con-
siderable quantity of glass has been broken by the hail.
Such storms as these, when they occur at this season of ill?,
year, are generally precursors of severe and lengthened
frosts,