The Sun.
London, England, 1866-01-06 00:00:00

Naval and Military Intelligence.

In designing the massive shot-proof turret, which
has been constructed on the weather deck of the iron
clad frigate Bellerophon, Mr. Reed proposed to en-
close the engine hatchways and the other hatchways
in proximity to the tower with shell-proof gratings,
and hatches to prevent shot and shell on rebound-
ing from the sides of the turret falling among the
machinery, and disabling the engines. Owing,
however, to the amount of material worked into the
Bellerophon mince the occasion of her recent official
trial being considerably more than was anticipated
an Admiralty order, received yesterday at Chatham
dockyard, directs all possible reductions in weight to
be made on board without affecting the efficiency of
the ship. In consequence of these orders it is now
proposedto dispense with the intended shot and shell
proof gratings and hatches, and to obtain sufficient
security from falling missiles during the time the
vessel is in action by means of guards, coverings, and
other appliances constructed out of the ordinary stores
of the vessel. A considerable additional weight has
also been given the vessel by filling up the cellular
spaces, being the inner and outer bottoms or passages,
with cement. The Admiralty order referred to now
directs that no more cement is to be used for such a
purpose, while much of that already appropriated
will be removed, and the compartments between the
two bottoms not filled up. The work remaining
consists chiefly of fittings, nearly the whole of the
purely mechanical work being completed. Accord-
ing to existing orders she is ready to be undocked by
the 31st inst., by which date there will be compara-
tively little remaining to be completed on board.
An examination of her machinery and engines by
the officials of the dockyard has led to the discovery
of a crack in one of her cylinder covers, caused, it
may be remarked, from no defect in either the ma-
terial or workmanship, but from pure accident. This
defect will have to be remedied prior to the vessel
leaving the dock, but it is not anticipated that any
delay from this cause will arise, the engineer's staff
being able to effect the necessary repairs before the
date ordered for the frigate to be floated out of dock.
The figure-head of the Bellerophon, a fine Grecian
shield, has arrived at the dockyard from the Admi-
ralty carvers.
The Charybdis, 21, 400-horse power, Mr. J. Car-
lisle, chief engineer, in charge, attached to the third
division of the Chatham Steam Reserve, is in the
steam basin, where she is undergoing a thorough
overhaul of her engines and machinery, which re-
quire some heavy repairs. It is understood that she
will shortly be taken in hand and brought forward
for the first division of the reserve in the Medway,
in readiness for commission to take the place of one
of the vessels of the frigate class ordered home.
The Pallas, 6, 600-horse power, ironclad corvette,
is expected to have her alterations and additions
completed in readiness for being undocked during
the next spring tides. She has unshipped her four-
bladed screw, and will be fitted with a two-bladed
Griffith propeller, with which she will enter on a
course of speed trials at the Maplin Sands.
The Admiralty paddlewheel steam yacht Black
Eagle, Commander T. J. Whinier, tender to the
flagship Fisgard, at Woolwich, having been supplied
with a new intermediate shaft, and completed vari-
ous other repairs, occuping a period of two months,
was yesterday hauled out of the fitting basin, under
orders to make a trial trip down the river, probably
to-day, and afterwards to be made fast in readiness
for special service.
Four 70cwt. small palmed double concave an-
chors, on Capt. Rodger's principle, were yesterday
received at Woolwich from the Parkfield ironworks
at Rotherham, in Yorkshire, to be tested, under the
hydraulic press, to the account of Messrs. Money,
Wigram, and Co. The anchors are intended for the
2-gun screw iron troopship Crocodile, 4,173 tons
and 700 horse power, now building by that firm at
Blackwall, and approaching completion. The Cro-
codile is the first of the five vessels ordered to be
constructed by the Admiralty as relief ships to
carry troops to and from India. The other ships
will be as follows :—The Euphrates, building by
Messrs. Laird at Birkenhead; the Jumna,byMessrs.
Palmer at Jarrow ; the Malabar, by Messrs. Napier
at Glasgow ; and the Serapis, by the Thames Com-
pany at Blackwall.
Her Majesty's steam storeship Supply, Comman-
der Charles Bowden, has commenced shipping a
cargo of victualling stores at Deptford for the Me-
diterranean.

Her Majesty's steam troopship Dee, Commander
Raymond, yesterday commenced receiving a full