The Sun.
London, England, 1859-12-22 00:00:00

2ILE NAVY.

In all the departments connected with Chatham
dockyard the utmost possible activity is now
visible, most of the workmen employed in the se-
veral factories working extra hours in order to meet
the demands on the resources of the various esta-
blishments. The two line-of-battle chips, the Atlas,
91, and the Bulwark, 91, screw two-deckers have
all the available hands at work on them, and, al-
though they have only been laid down compara-
tively recently, they are in a very forward state,
and will be fit for launching early in the ensuing
financial year. An improved 51-gun screw frigate,
the Undaunted, in the shed under which the
Charybdis was built, has made astonishing pro-
gress ; this frigate will be one of the finest of that
class of ships in the British navy, and being in-
tended for a high rate of speed, and supplied with
the long-range Armstrong guns, will be a most for-
midable object to encounter; it is intended to com-
plete and launch her with the least possible delay.
Preparations have also been commenced for laying
down two additional screw two-deckers, each of 91
guns, the plans for which have been prepared and
received at Chatham dockyard. The Rodney, 91,
in dock, is nearly completed in her conversion from
a sailing-ship to a two-decker screw, -and from the
extensive alterations made in her this vessel has
been almost rebuilt and entirely remodelled ; the
Severn, 51, in the adjoining dock, is undergoing
a similar process, and both have a large num-
ber of shipwrights and mechanics employed on
them. On the first and second slips, the Rattle-
snake and the Orpheus, 21, screw steamers, are pro-
gressing very fast, and although both were only
laid down a few months since they are in a forward
state. The new steam basin is now occupied by the
screw corvette Charybdis, 21, which is being fitted
for the steam reserve. The steam and other fac-
tories connected with Chatham dockyard are all in
full operation. In addition to the works connected
with the Government departments, there are vari-
ous works in progress by the contractors for im-
proving and enlarging the dockyard, and these are
likely to be extended over a considerable period, the
Government having devoted a large sum for the
purpose. When the whole of the works which are
now in progress at Chatham are completed that
dockyard will be one of the most commodious of
any of the naval establishments.
The workmen at Chatham dockyard will be
granted a day's holiday on Monday next, in conse-
quence of Christmas-day falling this year on Sun-
day.
The Adelaide screw steamer, 2,060 tons, the pro-
perty of Mr. C. It. Stock, of London, arrived on
Tuesday at Woolwick, having been chartered by
the Government to take officers and stores to China.
This fine vessel is intended to sail on the 31st of
December. She is the first that has arrived at Wool-
wich out of the six transports already taken up for
this service by Government. The manner in which
this vessel has been got ready is an instance of the
most creditable despatch, and gives promise that
the reign of routine is approaching an end. The
Adelaide was tendered just one week before she was
delivered at Woolwich, having within that time
been taken out of the Victoria Dock, being two days
in Wigram's dry dock for repairs, passed the Go-
vernment survey, and been completed for sea.
The paddlewheel steam sloop Firebrand, Cora.
Dayman, from Gibraltar, Dec. 14, arrived in Ply-
mouth yesterday with invalids, convicts, and stores.
The Marlborough, Victor Emmanuel, Brunswick,
and other ships belonging to Admiral Fremantle's
fleet, were in the Bay. The Agamemnon and James
Watt had sailed for Lisbon.

The Vigilant, 6, screw, Commander W. Army tage,
was paid off at Portsmouth yesterday.
The Duncan, 101, screw, in No. 7 dock at Ports-
mouth, yesterday took in her screw shaft. Mr. G.
H. Barr, late of the Urgent, has joined this ship as
her future engineer.
The Bacchante, 51, screw, has completed her
masting in the steam-basin at Portsmouth, and has
bee* taken in hand by the riggers of the yard to
complete for the first class steam reserve.
The Dee, paddle, Master-Commander Pullen, has
been taken into the steam basin at Portsmouth to
discharge boilers and machinery.
The Perseverance, screw troopship, Commander