The Sun.
London, England, 1859-11-14 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, .NOVEAIBEII 14, 1859.

RESERVE FORCE of ROYAL NAVAL
VOLUNTEERS. - Her Majesty's Government having,
with the sanction of Parliament, determined on establishing
a Reserve Volunteer Force of Seamen trained. to the Use of
Arms:

THIS 'IS TO GIVE NOTICE, that any Seaman possess-
ing the following qualifications may be enrolled as a Royal
Naval Vo!unteer in the Reserve Force, and will thereupon be
entitled to the advantages and be subject to the obligations
mentioned beton,:

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE RESER►tiE

1. A Volunteer must be a British subject,

2. ire must be free from infirmity,

3. He must not be over thirty-five years of no.
4. He must within the ten years previous to his joining the
Reserve have been five years at sea, one year of that time as
an A.B.

ADVANTAGES OF THE RESERVE.

1. A Volunteer will at once receive an annual payment or
retainer of £6, payable quarterly.
2. He will, if he fulfils his obligations and is in the Reserve
the requisite time, receive a pension of not less than £l2 a
year whenever he becomes incapacitated from earning a liveli- ,
hood, or at sixty years of age if rof previously incapacitated.
3. He may elect either to take the whole pension himself,
or to take a smaller pensim for himself during his life, and
to allow his wife a pension after his death, for the remainder
of her life.
4. He will not, on account of belonging to the Reserve, for-
feit any interest in any Friendly or Benefit Society.
5. His traN.elling, expenses to and from the place of drill
will, when necessary, be provided. .
6. He will, during drill, receive, in addition to the retaining
fee, the same pay, victualling, and allowances as a seaman c f
the fleet.
7. He will, Weaned out on actual service, receive the same
pay, allowances, and victuals, and have the same prospect of
promotion and prize money, as a continuous-service seaman
of the fleet, and lie will, on joining, receive the same clothing,
bedding, and mess-traps.
8. He will, if wounded or injured in actual service, receive
the same pension as a seaman in the navyof the same rating.
9. He will be eligible to the Coastguard. Service and Green-
wich Hospital.
10. He may quit the Reserve, if not at the time called out
for actual service, at the end of every five years. He may also
quit it when not called out on paying back the retainers he
has received ; or, without payment, it-he passes an examina-
tion as a master or mate, and obtains bona fide employment
as matter or mate.

GLENFIELD PATENT STARCH,
USED IN THE ROYAL LAUNDRY,
.AND r RONOUNCED BY TIER MAJESTY'S LAUNDRESS to be
TILE FINEST STARCH SHE EVER USED. .
WHEN YOU ASR FOR
GLENFIELD PATENT STARCH,
SEE THAT YOU GET IT,
As inferior kinds are ofica substituted.
Sold by all Chandlers, Grocers, &c., &c.
'VrOTHERSPOON & CO., GLASGOW AND LONDON

DESTINATIONS.

kustralia and Mauritius, via
Southampton
Ditto, via Marseilles
Bahamas and Havana via New
York

Despatch
of Mails.

IDec. 12, 311
rNov. 18, E 1

Canada, :-c. (by Canada. pckt.)
Cape of Good Hope, Ascen-
sion, and St. 'Helena
China, Penang, and Singa-
pore, via Southampton
Ditto, via Marseilles
Gibraltar, via Southampton
Honduras and Blewfields
India (Calcutta) and Ceylon,'
via Southampton
Ditto, via Marseilles
India (Bombay), via South-
ampton
Ditto, via Marseilles
Lisbon, Brazils,Buenos Ayres,
and F. Islands
Lisbon, Vigo, and Oporto
Ualti, Egypt, and Aden, via
Southampton
Ditto, via Marseilles
Mexico and Havang,
Newfoundland '
United States and British N.
America (by British packet),
Ditto (by.U. S. packet)
West Coast of Africa, Ma-
deira, and Teneriffe
West India, Califoi nia, Vene-
zuela, Chili, Peru, Grey-
town, Granada, &c.

N0v.25,
1N0v.15,

Dec. 5, E

N0v.19, E
'Nov.26, M
Nov. 12, M
Nov. 17, M

Nov. —, M
Nov.lS, E

Nov.--, M
Nov. 18 E 1

Dec. 9, M
1N0v.17, M

Nov. —, MI
Nov.lB , E
Dec. 2, MI
Nov. 19, E

Nov. 19, E
Nov. 23, E

'NOT. 23 E

Port of
DeFpatch.

ISouthamp.

Liverpool..
,Liverpool..

Devonpart

Soutliamp.

Southamp.
Southamp.

Sotithamp.

1 South amp.

Southamp.
Southamp.

ISouthamp

Southamp.
Galway ....

ILiverpool.
ISouthanip.

Liverpool.

1N0v.17, Di

Next
Mail
due.

Dec. 10
I Dec. 4

Nov. 24
overdue

Dec. 2

Nov. 18
Nov. '26
Nov. 18
Nov. 16

Nov. 18
Nov. 26

Nov. 25
Nov. 19

Dec. 5
overdue

Nov. 18
Nov. 19
Dec. 1

!Nov. 16

IDec. 10

ISouthamp.

INoy. 16

THE LAUNCH OF THE VICTORIA.

The launch of the Victoria was effected at Ports-
mouth on Saturday in the most satisfactory manner.
The recollection of the launCh of the Marlborough
from un4erneath the same shed—when that vessel
stopped in her progress when halfway down the in-
cline, and was not releised from her perilous position
until the following tide, created considerable anxiety
in the naiads of many as to what the results might
be in the present instance, but the whole passed
off most admirably and a more satisfactory launch
was never witnessed. An immense concourse of
people was present, and the whole of the space set
apart for the public was crowded; the girders and
pillars of the sheds, the galleries on the port side of
the Duncan, nearly complete in the adjoining shed,
with every .available point_ from whence a view of
the proceedings could be obtained, appeared to be
covered with eager human faces, every eye directed
towards the platform on which the Queen was to
make her appearance. The balustrade enclosing the
platform, with the rail, was lined and covered with
rich crimson velvet. The floor was covered with
carpeting, and on a rosewood table in the centre
was placed a golden bowl, once- the property of
George IV., representing the bow and stern of a
war galley, and filled with the choicest cut flowers.
At the head of the short flight of stairs leading
down to the anteroom, where the Queen would
enter the building, were placed on pedestals marble
rases and tazzas filled with flowers. The walls of
the anteroora were hung with a light green paper
and crimson damask drapery. On the one side, on
entering, was an antique sofa of rich crimson Utrecht
velvet, with chairs en suite ; on the opposite side
was pla •ed a splendid Indian cabinet, over which
was a richly carved and gilt girandole, Opposite
the entrance on either side were inlaid Indian tables,
on which was placed respectively silver-gilt ink-
stands, and bowls filled with the choicest cut
flowers. At the foot of the staircase leading on to.
the platform were placed two highly gilt jardinieres
with Sevres porcelain covers. The wholeeaf the fit-
tings of the anteroom and platform, for the accom-
modation of her Majesty and the Royal fiunily, had
a very handsome effect, and reflected the highest
credit on the taste of the designer. The troops of
the garrison were marched into the dockyard at an
early hour, the workmen employed in the yard
having leave granted them at the same time. The
troops lined the road through the yard along
which her Majesty would pass, from the launch-
ing shed to the platform where her Majesty
would alight from the train, and thence to the Ad-
miralty-house. Guards of honour, with the bands
and colours of the Ist battalion Rifle Brigade, Ist
Stafford Militia, and Royal Limerick County Mi-
litia were stationed at the railway platform, Admi-
ralty-house, and at the scene of the launch. The
band of the Royal Marine Light Infantry were also
present at the launch. The Royal train had left
Basingstoke at 10 20 a.m., and arrived at the Land-
port • terminus at Portsmouth, in charge of Mr.
Beattie and Mr. Scott, at 11. Here the large en-
gine which had brought the train down was
detached and a smaller one substituted, on account
of the sharp curves from the station through the
line of defences to the dockyard. A Royal salute
from a field battery of artillery stationed on the
glacis of the fortifications contiguous to the rail-
way stationed announced her Majesty's arrival, and
in a few minutes the train entered the dockyard
and drew np alongside the platform. Her Majesty
was received, on alighting from the train, by Sir J.
Yorke Scarlett, K.C.8., Admiral W. Bowles, C. 8.,
and a brilliant staff of military and naval officers.
The Royal party comprised, in addition to her
Majesty the Queen, his Royal Highness the Prince
Contort, his Royal Highness Prince Frederick
William of Prussia and her Royal Highness the
Princess Frederick William of Prussia (the Prin-
cess Royal), their Royal Highnesses the Princesses
Louisa and Helena, and his Royal Highness Prince
Alfred, attended by a numerous suite of Ladies and
Gentlemen in Waiting. Two State carriages with
the Royal liveries were in attendance, which the
Royal party entered and proceeded towards the
launching shed. The Royal standard hoisted on
the platform announced the arrival of her Majesty,
and the military bands struck up the National An-
them as her Majesty and the Royal family made
their appearance, while a tremendous shout of en-
thusiasm rose from the assembled crowds. Her
Majesty was attended on the platform by the Lords
and Ladies in Waiting, the Lords of the Admiralty,
among whom we noticed Admiral 'Sir B. W. Wal-
ker, K.C.8., the designer of the ship, and Admiral
Pelham, C.B. ; Major-General Sir J. Y. Scarlett,
K.C.B. ; Admiral W. Bowles, C. 13.; and a numer-
ous suite of 'military and naval officials. Con-
spicuous among the spectators was the Persian
Ambassador, Mirza Ali Khan, and his suite.
Her Majesty was dressed with her accustomed good
taste and simplicity, as were also the Princess Fre-
derick William (the Princess Royal), and the
youthful Princesses. Prince Arthur wore a royal
tartan plaid over his shoulder. His Royal High-
ness the Prince Consort wore a field-marshal's uni-
form, decorated with the Order of the Garter.
Prince Frederick 'William of Prussia wore a Prus-
sian uniform, and also were the insignia of the Or-
der of the Garter. The scene at this moment was
a most animated one ; oil the platform in the centre
stood the Queen, surrounded by the members of the
royal family and a group of officers in English and
Prussian uniforms. The fan-like tiers of the gallery
in the background were filled with ladies in bright
toilets, with a sprinkling of uniforms of both ser-
vices; while on the other wing were separate com-
partments—the one on theright side being occupied
by the mayor and corporation in their robes of
office, and the one on the left by officers in full
uniform. In the foreground, towering to an im-
mense height above the platform, were the bows of
the mighty ship which was about to receive from
the Queen of England, at the hands of her illustri-
ous daughter, her own regal name, and which would
henceforth take precedence in her fleet. As a ne-
cessary preliminary to the proceedings, Mr. Abe-
thell, the master builder, was presented to her Ma-
jesty by Rear-Admiral the Hon. George Grey, and
was received by her Majesty in the most gracious
manner. The Princess Frederick William was then
instructed by Mr. Abethell in the mode of christen-
ingbottle suspended by its silken cord. in both hands, a ship, and her Royal Highness taking the
dashed it with energy against the bows of the ship
and the christening of the Victoria was complete,
amid the cheers of thousands and the waving of
hats and ladies' handkerchiefs. Her Majesty ap-
peared to enjoy the scene as much as any of her
subjects present, and waved her handkerchief with
the rest. Mr. Abethell next with a mallet and chisel
cut the cord which held in their position the pigs
of ballast, and these, descending in their grooved
ways, liberated the ship from the dog-shores.
All present now directed their attention to the
ship, as the master builder continued to give his
orders ; before, however, the pressure of the screws
at her bows could be brought to bear upon her the
ship made a start and glided easily, but with a
crashing sound, down the ways, which emitted
clouds of smoke from the friction caused by the
immense mass moving overhead. An anchor dropped
from her bows as soon as she had cleared the shed
stopped the ship in her further progress, and she
swung gracefully round with her stern to the north-
ward out of the sight of the Court and spectators
inside the building. After a few moments the
graceful little Fairy appeared at the mouth of the
shed, with flags dipped from her mastheads in token
of respect to her royal mistress. All were struck
with the appearance of the Queen's favourite
steamer, and exclamations of delight burst from the
younger branches of the royal family. The Fairy
had no sooner steamed slowly clear of the mouth of
the shed than the figurehead of the Victoria came
into view on the opposite side, and slowly and gra-
dually the ship passed by, as thougls forming part
of a procession with her diminutive rival. At the
conclusion the Prince Consort, who had manifested
the most lively interest during the proceedings,
complimented Mr. Abethell, through the admiral-
superintendent (lion. G. Grey), before leaving the
platform. After remaining on the platform some
little time longer her Majesty and suite re-entered
the state carriages and proceeded to the north wall
of the dockyard, where they embarked on board the
Fairy, which had arrived alongside. and steamed
slowly down the harbour as far as the steamship
Princess Royal, 91,
screw, Capt. T. Baillie, lately
returned from the Mediterranean ; and returning
round the Victoria, and disembarking at the north
wall again, re-entered the carriages and proceeded
to the Admiralty-house, the residence of the com-
mander-in-chief, Admiral Bowles, C. 8., where the
royal party partook of luncheon, at the conclu-
sion of which they left the dockyard by train for
the Basingstoke station at 2 10 p.m.
The Victoria has been built from the designs of
Sir W. Walker, K.C.8., under the immediate su-
perintendence of Mr. Abethell, the master builder
of Portsmouth dockyard, and is the first three-
decked ship built according to her ordinary designs
as a steamship. -She was laid down in February;

185 G. The following are her principal dimensions,
horEe-power of engines, and armament :

Feet. Inches.
Length, extreme 3OO 0
Ditto, between perpendiculars 260 2
Ditto, keel for tonnage
Breadth, extreme
Ditto, for tonnage - 59 3
Ditto, moulded 5B 5
Depth in hold 26 10
Burden in tons, 4,126.
- - -

Her machinery will consist of two double piston-
rod horizontal engines, each of 500-horse power
nominal. She will have eight boilers, four of
which will be fixed forward of the engines and four
aft. Messrs. Maudslay, Sons, and Field are the
contractors. The whole of the machinery is in the
dockyard of Mr. Walker, foreman to Messrs. Field,
in readiness to place in the ship. The ship's arma-
ment will consist of—

Upper Deck-1 pivot, 95cwt., 68 pounder, 10f.,
!ong ; and 25 42cwt. 32-pounders, Bft. long.
Main Deck-32 56cwt. 32-pounders, 9ft. Gin.

Middle Deck-30 65cwt. Bin., 9ft. long.
Lower Deck-32 65cwt., Bin., 9ft. long.
Total number of guns, 121.

The ship's figurehead is a three-quarter figure of
her Majesty, 15 feet in length. It. represents the
Queen in her robes of State, the right hand hold-
ing the sceptre surmounted by the dove, and the
left the oab ; executed by the Messrs. Heller, of
Cosham and Southampton, carver to her Majesty's
Dockyards. As we have given the, dimensions of
various ships in a late impression in comparison
with the Victoria, we may mention that although
the Victoria is the longest three-decker in the Bri-
tish navy, we have several frigates of greater
length than euen the Victoria. The Mersey exceeds
her by 40 feet, as does the Orlando. The Himalaya
troopship, now at Spithead, also excels her in length.
The arrangements for the accommodation of her
Majesty and the public at the launch on Saturday
were under the direction of Mr. Woods, C.E., and
Mr. Absalom, contractor of public works, and were
most efficient. Mr. Abethell, as the master builder,
had the sole direction of the launching of the ship;
and the successful manner in which it was accom-
plished must have been as highly gratifying to that
gentleman's feelings as it was to her Majesty and
her surrounding Eubjects.