The Sun.
London, England, 1858-03-29 00:00:00

NAVAL AN

D MILITARY INTELLIGENCE.

The Alban, 4, paddle, commander the Ron. Wm.
B. De Blaquiere, will be stripped to the stumps by
Thursday next, and will pay off on SAturday, along-

side the Portsmouth Dockyard jetty. The efficiency

of the crew and condition of the vessel reflects the
highest credit on the commander and his officers.
Th- Duke of Wellington, 131, screw, commis-
sioned by Captain. H. Byres, C. 8., of St. Vincent,
104, ordinary gu4rdship, will haul out of the For ts-
mouth steam basin dock at the top of the springs.
The figure-head of, the noble ship has been replaced
and fitted some two feet higher th*n before, which
has much improved the appearance of this favourite
and powerful three-decker.

The Hero, 91, screw, at Chatham, is now com-
plete,
and will be launched as soon as Admiralty
orders are received to that effect.
,‘ This vessel has
been in, progress nearly four years.`
DEATH OF REAR-ADMIRAL SIR W. 13; PIERSON,
Kerr.—We regret to announce the death of Rear-
Admiral Sir W. H. Pierson, Knt., Which _event
occurred at his residence, Langstone, near Havant,
on Thursday last. This gallant officer was born at
Plymouth, in 1782, and entered the navy May 27,
1796, as A.B. on board the Asia, 64, Capt. Robert
Murray, bearing the flag of Admiral Vandeput,
commander-in-chief in North America, where, in
May, 1798, he attained the rating of midshipman.
He was advanced to post rank June 28, 1838. He
accepted the retirement on the 7th November 1852,
and was placed on the list of retired rear admirals
on the 10th September, 1857. Sir William married
in July, 1826, Jane, of,ly daughter of Edward
Dann, Esq., of Warblington, Hants. •
Commander S. H. Ricketts (1854), died recently
at Cheltenham. This officer was youngest son of
the late Admiral Sir Robert Rickot,s, Bart., and
youngest brother of Sir C. Ricketts, Bart. He
entered the navy Dec. 3, 1829.
We have to announce the death of Major Gene-
ral C. Bishopp, C. 8., youngest and only surviving
son of the late Colonel H. Bishopp, of Stornington,
which event occurred recently at Stoke, Devon-
port, of disease of the heart.
Major A. Vandel_ur, Captain-InstrUctor of. the
Royal Gun Factories, Woolwich Arsenal, has ten-
dered his resignation of that office, in consequence
of a serious misunderstanding with Lieut.-Colonel
F. E. Wilmot, the superintendent of -the Royal
Gun Factories Department. The gallant officer's
resignation has been accepted by the authorities at
the War Department ; but his successor has not
been appointed, and it is stated that the office of
captain-instructor will be abolished. *
Orders were on Saturday received at Woolwich,
directing a detachment of 300 officers, non-corn-
misAioned offict rs, and men, of the 3d, 13th, and
14 h battalions of Royal Artillery, to be in readi-
ness for immediate embarkation for Calcutta.

It is expected that Major-General Peel, the new
Secretary of State for War, will shortly visit the
camp at C lch,ster, with the view of ascertaining

whether it is desin;ble to elect additional barrack;
in the neighbourhood. A deputation, comprising

the members for the borough, had an interview .
last week with the gallant general, for the purpose
of calling his attention.to the demoralising effects
of the billeting system.
The Alma, Government freight vessel, returned
to Woolwich on Saturday, having conveyed to
Boulogne the model brass gun, ammunition wag-
gons, dsc., intended as a present from her:Majesty
to the Emperor of the French. The captain of
the Ama reports that during the time the gun,
waggons, &c., remained on the wharf for transmis-
sion to Paris, a large crowd assembled, and were
mot anxious to inspect the articles, which were
forwarded to Paris under the care of Mr. Smith, a
foreman at the royal gun factories, Woolwich Arse-
nal, and will be presented to the Emperor .by an
officer of the Royal Artillery.
PEMBROKE DuCKYARD. —The Eagle, 50, coast
volunteer training ship, is now well supplied with
men, who have become most efficient in their train-
ing. They are practised daily with ball cartridge,
and will soon be in a high state of discipline. The
Violet, gun-boat, has been appointed as tender to
the Eagle, in the room of the Shamrock, which has
been appointed to the surveying service. The
Admiralty have decided to abolish the signal eta-
' tions recently established between St. Ann's Head
at the entrance to the haven and the dockyard.
The system of telegraphic signals was carried out by
the erection of signal stations at St. Ann's Head,
Thorn Fort, the Stack Fort, the Observatory, and
at the dockyard, and the outlay was greats in the
purchase of land and erection of buildings for the
residence of the telegraphic staff. These building&
are now to be let. It is supposed that the electric;
wi re will supersede the semaphore, as the latter is
very inefficient in thick weather.

Country Markets.

LEICESTER—MARox 27.

A tolerably active trade in wheat to-day, with a- fair
supply, and the transactions must be quoted at a decline
of le to 2s on the rates of last week. Barley was a small
supply, and is cheaper. Oats were scarce, and -Is dearer.
Beans in short supply, and Is higher. . -