The Sun.
London, England, 1866-02-15 00:00:00

Naval and NElitary intelligence.

The Meanee, 60 guns, screw line of battle ship,
2,591 tons, 600-horse power, Capt. George Wood-
house, lately returned from the Mediterranean,
arrived at the Nore yesterday afternoon, and saluted
the:flag of Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Talbot, K. C. 8.,
Commander-in-Chief of the district. She will
shortly be taken into dock and dismantled.

The Conqueror, 71, screw line-of-battle ship,
2,845 tons, 500-horse power, Capt. W. G. Luard,
will be paid out of commission on the 21st instant.
She is now in the large basin in Sheerness Dock-
yard dismantling and discharging her stores.

After several unsuccessful efforts last week, and
a partially successful attempt on Monday, the Lord
Clyde found weather on Tuesday which enabled her
to test her engines and machinery at the measured
mile outside Plymouth breakwater. She was built
at Pembroke from the lines of Mr. Reed, the Chief
Constructor of the Navy, is 2801 t. long, 58ft. 9in.
broad, 20ft. 9in. deep, and burden 4,067 tons. The
Lord Clyde is ironcased, and at the trial drew 22ft.
6in forward, and 25ft. liin. aft. Capt. Edmonstone,
Mr. Bannister, Mr. Sampson Harris, and Mr. Saun-
ders were present on the part of the Admiralty,
Capt. Roderick Dew, C. 8., who is to have the com-
mand, was also on board. The contractors are
Messrs. Ravenhill, Hodgson, and Co., who were
represented by Mr. Hodgson. A detailed account
of the engines has already appeared in The Sun.
They are of 1,000 horse-power nominal, capable of
exerting an indicated power of 6,000 horses, being a
multiple of six to one. Steam is worked expansively,
the aggregate heating surface is 19,000 square feet
and grate surface 700 square feet. The following
were the results of the runs on Tuesday, mean speed
of six runs, 13.312 knots, maximum revolutions 58k
per minute, mean 58; steam on engines 261 b, vacuum
26 ; pitch of screw 21 feet, diameter 23 feet ; half-
power speed, 11.565 knots ; maximum revolutions
48, mean 47i ; wind N.N.W., force two to four;
sea smooth, with a light swell. On this
occasion she drew 4i inches more than on the pre-
vious trial, when only two runs were made, a speed
of 13.533 knots per hour was then attained. On
Tuesday the Lord Clyde went round the circle in
five minutes and 20 seconds, the diameter being 526
yards. The ship is constructed with a long protru-
ding prow, armed with a heavy mass of metal.
The Royal Alfred, 18, partially ironcased frigate,
800-horse power, yesterday morning steamed out of
POrtsmouth Harbour to Spithead, and gave her
machinery a three hours' trial under steam, prepa-
ratory to making her official run over the measured
mile; 67i revolutions of the engines were reached,
and their working was satisfactory in the highest
degree to the Government officials on board super-
intending. their trial. The ship afterwards returned
into Portsmouth harbour to await the decision of
Rear-Admiral S. Robinson, the Controller of the
Navy, as to the day of her trial.

The following appointments have been made at
the Admiralty :—J. Chapple, master, to the Prince
Albert, commissioned ; Fredk. W. Sutton (a), chief
engineer, to the Prince Albert ; Francis C. B. B.
Simpson, midshipman, to the Topaze ; Somerset A.
Hungerfield, midshipman, to the Doris ; Dr. Daniel
Finncane, surgeon, to the Prince Albert ; Dr. D.
McN.Johnston, assistant-surgeon,fto the Irresistible ;
James G. Milne, assist.-surg., to the Indus ; George
G. Roberts, assist.-paymaster, to the Victory, as
supernumerary ; Frank A. Halloran, master's assis-
tant, to the Doris ; Peter Baldwin, engineer, to the
Prince Albert ; Wm. J. Hancock, Augustine Ked-
ward, and Thomas Jas. Richards, first-class assist.-
engineers to the Prince Albert; Angus Leitch, first-
class assistant-engineer, additional, to the Doris ;
George Paul, second-class assist.-engineer, to the
Cumberland, for service in the Wildfire ; Thomas
Wm. Curtis, acting second-class assistant-engineer,
additional, to the Doris ; Henry M. P. Pellew, act-
ing second-class assist.-engineer, to the Star; and
Eden H. Gawne, nominated to a naval cadet.

GEORGE IV. IN RATHER A NEW LIGHT.—
Lord Brougham, the late lamented rrhackeray, and
others, have been very severe in their censures on the
character of George IV. My readers will, perhaps, be in-
terested in hearing the following :—Some few years before
the death of the king, Dr. Porteus, then Bishop of Lon-
don, having heard that his majesty had appointed a re-
view of the household troops to take place on a Sunday,
ordered his carriage, though he was in a precarious
state of.health, and waited upon his Majesty at Carlton
House. The bishop was most graciously received, and
proceeded to say, "I am come to warn your Majesty of
the awful consequences of your breaking the Sabbath, by
holding a review on that day which the Almighty has
hallowed and set apart for Himself." The king upon
this burst into tears, and fell on his knees
before the bishop, who bestowed upon his Ma-
jesty his blessing. The king then assured Dr. Porteus
that no review. should take place on the Sabbath during
his life. Bishop Porteus then left the royal presence,
never mere to return ; for, on arriving at his residence, he
took to his bed and died shortly afterwards. The King
was so deeply afflicted at the news that, on hearing it, he
retired into his own apartment, and was heard to sob as
one in deep affliction.—Capt.pronotes last Volume of Aizec-
doles. , . •

Y ~~

Gurt 'rad=

HER MAJESTY•

OSBORNE, Wednesday.
Her Majesty went out in the morning with
Princess Helena, and in the afternoon with Princess

Louise.

Princess Helena rode on horseback, attended b 7
the Hon. Harriett Phipps.

The Princess of Wales took a carriage drive
yesterday, attended by the Count-ss of Macclesfield.
His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge had
a dinner party yesterday evening at Gloucester House.
There were present the Eail of Westmorland, Lord Lon-
desborough, Lord Colville, Lord Clarence Paget, the Bight
Hon. Thomas Milner Gibsoh, Col. George Knox, Col. the
Hon. George Augustus Liddell, Col. Ponsonby (Grenadier
Guards), Sir Charles RuSsell, Mr. George Bentinck, Mr.
George Tomline, and Col. the Hon. James Macdonald, in
waiting. On Monday evening his royal highness received
at dinner a distinguished circle of military officers, includ-
ing General Viscount Melville, General Lord de Roe,
General the Hon. Sir James Yorke Scarlett, General Sir
Duncan Cameron, General Sir Charles Yorke, General Sir
Alexander Woodford, General Sir George A. Wetherell,
General Sir Edward Lugard, General Romilly, Admiral
the Hon. Sir Frederick Grey, Admiral Charles Eden, Col.
Gambier, Col. Wetherell, Col. Johnson, &c.
The Marquis and Marchioness of Clanricarde
arrived at their residence in Stratton-street, Piccadilly,
yesterday evening, from Portumna Castle, county Galway.
The Marchioness of Salisbury will have all
assembly this evening at the family residence in Arlington-
street, Piccadilly.
The Earl and Countess Russell had a select party
at dinner yesterday evening at their residence in Cheshain,
place.

THE LATE STORMS IN THE ATLANTIC.—It is admitted
on all hands, and the admission is unhappily sup-
ported by a long series of melancholy marine disasters, that
the storms of wind which swept the Atlantic and raged with
almost unparalleled violence along our western coasts during
the last few days of December and all the first week of
January last were in severity much beyond those which
have been experienced for many years past, and were power-
fully felt by steamers going westward. The westward voyage'
are selected, because the storms coming from the west were
encountered in their greatest strength by vessels proceeding
in that direction. A notable instance of the exceptional
Violence of the hurricanes referred to is to be found in the
following authentic account of the outward voyage of the
royal mail steamship Scotia, Capt. Judkins, which sailed
from Liverpool for New York on the 30th of December last
with her Majesty's mails, a numerous complement of pas-
sengers, and a valuable cargo. The anchor was raised at
9 a.m., and the Scotia proceeded to sea in the teeth of 3
strong westerly gale. As far as Point Lynas she wade
at the rate of about seven knots an hour with a strong,
head wind and a heavy tumbling sea. After passing
Point Lynes the weather appeared as if about to clear
up, and the vessel's speed was increased to about ell°
knots. As the South Stack Light was approached, the
wind, veering slightly to the south of west, rose graduallit
ana blew very heavily, till at about ten p.m. it blew a
complete hurricane, which continued with unremitting vio-
lence till 3 a.m. on the 31st, when the wind dropped wen'
more to the westward and eased the ship in her course'
In contending with the fury of the hurricane referred
to with a pressure of steam of from 19 to 23 pounds en
the square inch, such was the strength of the wind that
the ship during considerable periods could not make were
than at the rate of from three to four knots an hour. Dur-
ing this fearful storm, about 9 p.m. on the 30th, the Soil'
Stack light bore almost east ; and as the ship was Makin"
so little headway, in order to prevent any loss of recloe-
ing by currents, the lead was kept going every hour, that
by soundings the exact position of the vessel was asenr-
tathed. This precaution was rendered all the more neces-
sary from the circumstance that besides the night boil
dark and wet, the storm was so violent and the spoon-dri';
so strong that no one could look out ahead on deck, an
men were placed on the foreyard and foretopsail-yard to keeici
a look out. Soon after 11 p.m. on the 30th the course steeled
was south-west, and at 7 15 a.m. on the 31st the Scotia Wss
off the Blackwater Bank, the lightship on which was seen
distinctly, bearing north ; this was fully 22 hours alter
leaving Liverpool. At 930 a.m. the Scotia rounded Tuseaire,
and the wind coming more westerly and by north she made
more way, and arrived at Queenstown at 7 p.m., where sli°
cast anchor and took in the mails. Here the harbour was se
crowded with vessels which had run in for shelter that the
Scotia could not get under way till the tide turned
,arPcif
swung the vessels round, enabling her to get clear. 13e.
anchor was swung up at 12 30 a.m. on the Ist of JauuarY',
and she passed the Fastnet Rock at 7 a.m., a strong gale sal'
blowing and right ahead. Strong westerly gales prevaile
all the way till Tuesday, the 9th, when the wind moderated,
having veered roundby N. to N.E. On the following dal
(Wednesday, the 10th) it blew a heavy gale from the east-
ward, and the vessel proceeded under reefed foresail der"
ing the day and succeeding night. On Thursday,
11th, at 11 a.m., the captain took soundings, and found cl"
fathoms of water, with sandy bottom. At 11.45 a.m. Passe
Nantucket Island, and had moderate weather till 9 PO:i
when the Scotia made the lightship at New York•
it
this point she was kept off, Capt. Judkins not deeming
prudent to go into New York bay on account of ice, wise.,
was coming down in great masses, and which had cut dove
a large schooner in the bay. The harbour was se.faly ma
at daylight on the morning of the 12th, after a voyag°.°
c,
unusual length for the Scotia, and under such trying ifil
cumstances of weather, as nothing but the great strencta
and power and fine seagoing qualities of the vessel, al 0
by the skilful, prudent, and bold seamanship of CaPteidi
Judkins, could have enabled her to accomplish. itide;,,e
that experienced and able commander states that in 0° -t-1-0
stance during the 26 years he has navigated the
in the Cunard Company's service has he encountered a nneo
stormy passage than on his last voyage from Liverpoolug
New York, nor one demanding more vigilance or arclue.„
exertion en the part of all engaged in navigating the sl"
—Liverpool Albion.
,T4gUS.
Loss OF THE UNITED STATES STEAMER NATI.--
—The Newt ork Herald of the 3d inst. publishes the follosrs
ing particulars of the wreck of the U.S. steamer Narcis 511
on the night of Jan. 2, off Tampa Bay, Florida, wliStr-
on board (about 30) the ill-fated vessel werelost. Theos,,,
wit
cissus, under the command of Capt. Bradbury, left rnuthe
cola for Key West on Monday, Jan. 1, in company eft
steamer Althea, and the next day made the land beep
Fort Harrison and Mullen Key, somewhat to then °lto
the entrance of Tampa Bay. The shoals here make ent
art
i-
the Gulf some five or six miles ; and the steamers
cissus and Althea, after making the land, coasted auto,
along the corner edge of the shoals ; but the wind and con
rent being both from the north-west, and settling directlYtbe
the shoals, they found it hard work to keep clear et f
breakers. The steamer Althea was about one mile abee:or
the Narcissus, with the latter vessel about one mile De ei
to the shoals, and they were both steaming along pleasaiiiie,
and without accident until just previcus to nightfall, sr.too
the Narcissus made a signal for her Consort to come svltll
hail. When the vessels had neared each other sufacio/1
of
toallow an understanding being had, Capt. Bradbull'oo
the Narcissus, proposed to Capt. Kilgore, of the Altheelio
propriety of anchoring where they were for the niglat'ci,pe
this Capt. Kilgore deemed injudicious, and advised oie
Bradbury to follow him and run further out to sea.
proposition was finally accepted by Capt. Bradbilutrieg
both vessels were immediately headed off shore.
001-
the interval that elapsed while the vessels were in _wog
munication with each other the wind that was blo
or
strong from the north-west, and the current that was able
ing in the same direction, drifted the vessel a consi i Coot
distance towards the shoals, and this was the fala_f pOr
which resulted so disastrously. It is the opinion '6OO
sons well informed. on such matters that had the Nat bad
followed the Althea without signalling her to celno After
she would not have been drifted upon the shoals'
t to sea
the commanders of the vessels concluded to run 011-5 dos.
the Althea steered a north-west course, which Ira to the
against wind and tide, but the Narcissus kept Inore 00 tlO
westward. The Althea struck very heavily once liirtbe
edge of the shoals, but glided over them without
11000
damage, aid continued on her course. The is.tareisso
some distance astern of the Althea at this time' sore °
observed making signals of distress ; but Capt. to her
the Althea, having already struck durst not turn bac'_, ore
assistance. The signals used on board the Narcisscrscoeil
what are known as Costa's regular naval signals, attrod hp
burn red, white, and blue, or vice versa, and ere thee'
numbers. Second Assistant Ensign M'Allister, of the
board °f
took tho numbers down as they were burnt en Ott
the Narcissus, but was unable to interpret theta'sed
the
in to be somewhat confused, and it is supra of '
in the excitement of the moment those on. Le to tile')
Narcissus made use of the first lights that cam bets'
hands, without any regard to the order of the
they %veer._
Capt. Kilgore then made a signal, asking them After 'orb 13,
in danger, but to this he received no answer._ .
he stood off from the land and saw no more of__t2:l,o3o,i;
andsteamer.
sent a
bTheoat
to nextth
the beach
thot
0 ascertain, Althea
if p
or-us s rocce
;sr°
tat, 0
trace
bodyor tidings
e f
en
e of
o f thethe Narcissus.firem en:
Here e h
t
ashore, and the hat of Capt. Bradbury, sa, _ beach, P
wand they
the
the vessel in the surf, about four miles from tnoa. Tort id:
could not reach her on account of the heat/ told,
two persons, including officers and men all .....‘141.41"0.0 ja.
not a soul escaping to tell the tale. Acting -"°_, boo °
Bradbury was in command of the Narcissus wbe'co The
r.
l n up
sotseta,mtetnr(sl
aMrcri.ssDnsuwnbasarthweassamtheeveexsseecluttiiivaet was
by a rebel torpedo in Mobile Bay on the 7th 1). the
She was afterwards raised and was emploYedl,opeols'
vernment as a tug and despatch boat for the
and ear-
navy yard. She was a screw tugboat of 101 ton's! '
ried 0 battery of two guns.

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