The Sun.
London, England, 1861-08-19 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, A U-Gt 17 ST 19, 1861.

TILE NAVY.

On Saturday Prince Oscar of Sweden arrived at
Sheerness from London, at 10 a,m., and visited

the dockyard, and minutely inspected it, having
been conveyed on shore in the Admiral's tender,
the Wildfire, paddlewheel steamvessel, 76-horse
power. He afterwards proceeded by special train
at 3 p.m. to Dover, to join his Majesty the King
of Sweden. The Stockholm, Commodore Printsin-
coljeck ; the Wildaras steam sloop, Capt. Smith,
and the Oradel, Capt. Dunckwardt, since conveying
hisbMajesty the King of Sweden and suite to Eng-
land, have been anchored off Sheerness, awaiting his
Majesty's commands. After the departure of Prince
Oscar from Sheerness for Dover, on Saturday, the
Nidaras and the Oradel proceeded to the north;
Yesterday the Stockholm also left the port.
The screw stem gunvesseel Griffin, 5, Com-
mander Perry, having been thoroughly repaired,
left Plymouth on Saturday afternoon for the West
Coast of Africa.

The screw steamship Aboukir, 86, Capt. Chas. F.
A. Shadwell, C. 8., which grounded in the Ork-
neys, having been repaired, will leave Hamoaze on
Wednesday for Plymouth Sound.
The President, 51, is ordered to be taken into the
fourth dock at Chatham to-morrow, to be fitted for
a training-ship for the Naval Reserve in the
Thames, and stationed at Blackwall. The work is
to be performed by hired mechanics, a number of
whom were entered at the dockyard on Saturday.
The remainder will be taken on to-day.

The Royal Oak, 51, iron-plated frigate, is pro-
gressing very fast at Chatham, a number of addi-
tional shipwrights having been placed on her to
expedite her framing. On Saturday her massive
rudder-post, weighing upwards of 10 tons, was suc-
cessfully raised and fixed in its place.
The Osborne paddle yacht, Master-Commander G.
K. Bower, arrived at Portsmouth yesterday morn-
ing on her return from conveying the Crown Prince
and Princess of Prussia to the Continent.

The Chameleon, 17, screw, Commander Harding,
steamed out of Portsmouth harbour yesterday, and
anchored at Spithead, where she will take in her
pdwder and shell prior to proceeding on foreign
service. According to her present orders she pro-
ceeds to the Pacific.

The Trusty, 14, floating battery, 151-horse power,
has anchored off Shoeburyness, having arrived
there on Saturday in tow of the Otter and the
Widgeon steam-tugs for the purpose of undergoing
a trial of Capt. Couper P. Cole's circular battery
and shield of 42 inch iron plates. The trial is to
take place under the superintendence of Captain
Richard A. Powell, C.B. The crew appointed for
this special service is composed of picked men
selected from her Majesty's ship Excellent gunnery-
ship at Portsmouth. _

The Vivid, 2, paddlewheel steamvessel, Master
W. Henry Allon, and the Black Eagle, paddle-
wheel steam yacht, Master John E. Petley, tenders
to the Fisgard, arrived on Saturday at Sheerness
from Portsmouth, whence they proceeded yester-
day to await the arrival and to be at the service of
the Lords of the Admiralty during their inspection
of the dockyards at Chatham and Sheerness, which
is to take place in the course of a few days.
The Leonidas receiving ship has been forwarded
from Sheerness and moored in the river, near the
Warrior, at Greenhithe, in order to afford sleeping
accommodation for the large party of artisans now
employed in the completion of the latter vessel. An
additional number of workmen are ordered for the
Warrior to-morrow.

The Cochin gunboat, belonging to the first-class
steam reserve at Chat ham, was placed alongside the
Ordnance-wharf on Saturday, and shipped one 100-
pounder Armstrong gun.
During the official visit of the Lords of the Ad-
miralty at Portsmouth, Mr. Galt submitted to them,
by request, specimens of proposed new uniforms for
the Royal Navy.
All apprentices entered hereafter in the Devon-
port Dockyard will have to serve a portion of their
apprenticeship at sea, to increase their eligibility.

A letter from Auckland, New Zealand, dated the
9th of June, contains the following paragraph :
" The Cordelia, 11, screw sloop, Commander F. A.
Hume, arrived here from Sydney on the 27th May,
and sailed again to cruise off the coast of Coroman-
del. The Fawn. 17, Commander R. P. Cator, was
in Mamikau harbour on the 24th of May. The
Harrier, 17, Commander Sir M. M'Gregor, has ar-
rived here, and remains. The Miranda, 15, screw
steamer, Commander H. 0. Glyn, was in Mamikau
harbour on the 24th of May. The Niger, 13, screw
ship, Capt. Peter Cracroft, sailed for England on
the 9th of May. The Pelorus, 21, screw corvette,
Commander Fred. Seymour, was at anchor in the
Waitamata on the 7th of June."
The iron screw steam troopship Megfera, 6,
Commander Samuel H. Henderson, from Ports-
mouth, arrived in Plymouth Sound on Saturday
morning, with about 250 naval supernumeraries, a
large proportion of whom were transferred to the
screw steamship Sanspareil, 70, Capt. Bowyear, for
passage to the Mediterranean. The Megvera then
proceeded into Hamoaze, where she discharged the
remainder of the supernumeraries. She also con-
veyed to Plymouth a detachment of the 73d Regi-
ment, who were landed in the Royal William Vic-
tualling yard by the steamtug Confiance. To-day
the Megtera embarks a large detachment of the 61st
Regiment stationed at Devonport, with whom she
will return to Portsmouth, where they will land
and then proceed by the rail to the Camp at Alder-
shott.

We have to record the death of Commander R.
Bayly Bowden, R.N., aged 69, which occurred at
Herne Bay a few days since. The deceased entered
the navy in 1803, and served as midshipman of the
Britannia at the battle of Trafalgar. He afterwards
served throughout the operations of 1807 against
Copenhagen, and continued actively employed until
1814, when he joined the Orlando, and served in
Chesapeake-bay during the American war. He re-
ceived on several occasions thanks and a testimonial
for saving lives, and was author of a plan very
similar to that now adopted for forming a Naval
Renrve in the merchant service.

The following appointments were made on Satur-
day at the Admiralty :—Henry Brehaut, master, to
the Saturn ; J. W. H. Hi.rvey, master, to the
Emerald ; L. J. Monteith, surgeon (additional), to
the Impregnable ; J. T. Hart, acting second master
(additional), to the Pembroke.

53d, and 35 for the 84th. A small party of 12 men
and boys from the 37th depot left the camp ox Fri-
day for Portsmouth.
The camp formed at the Spur Battery, Chatham,
at the commencement of the summer was broken
up on Saturday, and the depots of the Ist battalion
23d Royal Welsh Fusiliers and the 31st Regiment,
by whom it was occupied, marched into Chatham
barracks, where there is now accommodation for
them.

Capt. It. H. Travers, 24th Regiment, instructor
of musketry to the Ist Depot Battalion at Chatham,
has been appointed one of the staff of instructors at
the Hythe School of Musketry. Capt. A. Wright,
81st Regiment, instructor of musketry to the 3d
Depot Battalion, has been ordered to hold himself
in readiness to join the service companies of his
regiment in India.

THE VOLUNTEERS.

-f------

The annual competition of the members of the

11th Middlesex (St. George's) Rifle Corps in rifle-
shooting was commenced on Thursday at Worm-
wood Scrubbs. The attendance was smaller than
might have been anticipated from the request which
had been made by Col. Lindsay, " to have a good
muster to keep up the honour of the corps." The
first prize shot for was a silver tankard, presented
by Mr. T. Bunting, at ranges of 500, 600, and 700
yards (entrance, 2s. 6d.), at the Queen's butt. After
some really good firing, Ensign Hawkins was de-
' clared the winner, scoring 16 points. The second
prize competed for was a London Armoury rifle,
presented by Mr. Blaise ; ranges, 150, 200, 250, and
300 yards ; entrance fee, is. ; St. George's butts.
This prize was won by Mr. Nalder, he having made
21 and Lieut. Wimperis 17 points. The third prize
shot for consisted of a London Armoury rifle, pre-
sented by Mr. Banting, 200 yards at the St. George's
butts, won by Lieut. 011iver, by 8 points. A silver
tankard, presented by Mr. P. Andre, was the
fourth prize, shot for at ranges of 300, 500, and 700
yards, entrance 2s. 6d., at the West Middlesex
butts; Mr. F. Crookes was the winner, scoring 18
points. On Friday the gold medal, presented by the
Rev. W. B. Hawkins, was first contested for at
ranges of 200, 400, and 600 yards. After a lengthy
and determined contention, Mr. Crookes carried it
off, scoring 17 points. A silver medal, presented
by Mrs. Balderson, was fired for at 200 yards' dis-
tance, and after some good firing Sergeant Millard
was returned as having 9 points, and consequently
declared the winner of the prize. The silver cup,
presented by the ladies of the St. George's parish,
was the next prize the marksmen contended for :
18 points were found registered against Mr. Hemery,
which proved sufficient to enable him to carry off
the much-desired prize. Mr. Millard and Mr.
Crookes were returned as having scored 16
points each. Then came the silver medal
presented by the Rev. W. B. Hawkins. The prize
was contested for at 200, 400, and 600 yards, and
was won by Mr. Bryant, who scored 18 points. The
last prize for the second day's firing was a silver
goblet, presented by Lord Vernon. The shooting
was at 50, 100, 150, and 200 yards. The grand prize
of the contest, the St. George's challenge cup, value
£lOO, with a gold medal accompanying it, was re-
served for the last day, in order that more than
ordinary interest might mark the conclusion of this
friendly trial of skill. The ranges were 400, 500,
600, and 700 yards, and the total number of points
made by the 12 competitors at the combined ranges
was 169. The corps is armed with the Lancaster
rifle, and it is worthy of notice that the winner and
the gentleman making the next highest number of
points were the only two who fired with this rifle,
the others discarding it for the Government Enfield.
Mr. F. Crookes and Mr. Hemery at au early stage
of the shooting had the match to themselves, so
evenly did they score that they tied at the 600
yards' range, and at the 700 yards Mr. Hemery
became the winner of the trophy by scoring just
two points more than his antagonist. Colonel
Lindsay, the commander of the corps, acted as
umpire during the three days' prize shooting, and,
under his business-like management everything
went off well and satisfactorily.
On Saturday afternoon nearly 1,000 Volunteers,
belonging to various metropolitan and Surrey corps,
assembled at Foxwarren, near Cobham, the seat of
Mr. C. Buxton, M.P., Lieutenant-Colonel of the
Tower Hamlets Rifles, to partake of that gentle.
man's hospitality, and engage in a sham fight.
The proceedings commenced about six o'clock, in a
portion of Mr. Buxton's grounds, wbieh was ad-
mirably suited to the purpose. It was supposed
that the invaders were advancing rapidly on
London by the Portsmouth road, which runs past
Foxwarren, and that a pitched battle was being
fought on a common between that road and the
scene of the engagement. The invading General
attempted to work round the British right, and
this movement was provided against by lining a
copse and fern, on the London side of a dell, with
British riflemen. The defending party, which con-
, sisted of the Civil Service Corps and the 7th and
10th companies of the Ist battalion Tower Hamlets,
was commanded by Captain Ennis, the right and
left wings being under the command of Captain
(of the Victoria Rifles) and Captain Du
The 2d and 3d Surrey Battalions and
DickensonPlat
Taylo
Truman's Brewery Corps (Tower Hamlets) composed
the attacking force, which was commanded by
Lieut.-Col. Buxton, Captain Hamilton commanding
the right wing, Col. Cole the left, and Capt. Wade
the centre. As the invading skirmishers advanced
they became engaged with the British Riflemen at
all points of the dell ; but at length the latter
stormed the invader's left, which rested on a strong
position of sheds, and the enemy was forced to fall
back on a line of hedge and oaks. The defending
party still pressed forward and drove the invaders
to a pine wood on a hill ; but now the invaders'
cavalry, represented by a small party of mounted
officers, suddenly came to their aid, and charged the
British, who formed rallying squares and retired

towards shelter. The invaders then issued fromthe
pine wood, charged the retreating British at the
point of the bayonet, and drove them back to their
first position, and having found that impregnable,
the enemy drew off his troops, and the skirmish
ended. The ground between the pine wood and the
dell consisted first of a corn field and then of a hilly
pasture, and as the Rifles retreated through the
standing sheaves and up the rising ground to their
original position the effect was exceedingly pic-
turesque. The operations were well performed, and
reflected credit alike upon the officers and the men
under their command. About half-past 7 o'clock
the various corps proceeded to another portion of
the grounds, where they partook of a bountiful sup-
ply of refreshments, after which they fell in and
marched homewards.
Detachments of the North-east London Rifle
Brigade have been attending ball-practice drill
for some weeks past at Plumstead Marches, and
many of them bid fair to become good shots.
In addition to the other prizes which have been
offered for competition,and which have been already
noticed,the adjutant, Capt. Walmisley, has given
a
handsome challenge
which was formerly the Al-
bert
w re-
gulardeduarilnfgorthtleiecomuarsnemofosdtrill:
The
a s
been
attendance
placed in a thorough state of
repair, and is now one of the most commodious in
ne w drill-ground,
the metropolis. The expense of the head-quarters,
Saloon, in
his
has
about £250, has been paid for out of the funds of
the regiment, still leaving a balance at the bankers,
and Mr. Stint, the groland landlord, has kindly
consented to forego the groundrent. The regiment
has also been assisted in money and kind by many
of the influential inhabitants of Shoreditch and
Hackney, and among them Mr. Cotton has offered
a large reading and club-room.
The fancy fair and fete instituted in aid of the
regimental fund of the 7th Surrey Rifle Volunteers
was brought to a close on Saturday, after being
open six days. The great events of the day Were

two races. The distance of the first was 130 yards,
with six hurdles. After a spirited contest and one
dead heat, Mr. Rogers was declared the winner of
the silver cup. For the Grand Challenge Cup there
were 33 entries (all volunteers), of whom 25 started,
The distance was 300 yards. The first heat was won
by Mr. Hanahan, of the London Irish ; the second
heat by Mr. Macnamara, of the some corps ; the
third heat by Mr. Freeland, of the 12th Surrey ;
the fourth heat by Mr. Carlisle (the name of whose
corps was not stated) ; the fifth by heat by Major
Johnson, of the 6th Tower Hamlets the sixth heat
was the concluding one by the five previous win-
ners, and was, aftera tremendous contest, especially
bctween Major Johnson and Mr. Freek.nd, won by
the latter. In the Course of the evenin g the prizes
were presented to the winners by Major Beresford,
with appropriate remarks, amid great cheering.
At the conclusion of the sports the members
of the corps, having been formed *IA quarter-
distance column, were addressed by Major Beres-
ford, who stated that all drill would he suspended
until the 7th of September, but on that day he
hoped to see a good muster, and that they would
afterwards attend regularly. The pecuniary
result of the fair and fete, though not precisely
known, was reported to be highly satisfactory.
On Wednesday and Thursday last a spirited con-
test took place at the butt of the 2d Tower Hamlets
Rifles, at Plaistow Marshes, for a silver cup, pre-
sented by E6sign Linder. It was shot for by mem-
bers of the No. 2 (Dalston) Company who had at
tended not less than 17 drills in the half-year ; the
ranges were 200, 300, 400, GOO yards, five shots at
each range. The cup was carried off by Private
Hancock, 16 points, Corporal Dunn being second.
The council of the Susses Volunteer Association,
which comprises numerous artillery as well as rifle
corps, has fixed the first annual prize competition to
take place at Brighton on the 11th and 12th Sept.
A detachment of the Hon. Artillery Company,
numbeting 112 rank and file, and under the cont-
mand of Major Robinson, arrived at Walton-on-the
Naze, on the Essex coast, on Monday, for a fort-
night's rifle and gunnery practice. The officers
accompanying the detachment were Majorßobinson,
Captain and Adjutant Binewood Potts, Captains
Biden, Rough, and Fox; and Lieutenants Rether-
don, Eglese, Fairlie, Jacobs, and Dawes. The de-
tachment arrived by special train, and were met at
the Colchester station by the Volunteers of that
town, who escorted them through the streets. From
Colchester the party marched to Walton-on-the-
Naze.

The annual meeting of the members of the 4th
Middlesex Rifle Corps took place on Saturday last
at the Priory School, Islington, Lieut.-Col. the Lord
Truro in the chair. The hon. secretary (Ensign
Spencer) read the report, which was most satis-
factory.

A general meeting of the Ist Surrey Volunteer
Artillery Cdrps took place at head• quarters on
Wednesday, the 7th inst., Lieutenant Morton in
the chair. The usual business of the meeting being
ended, Major Roupell, M.P., was unanimously
elected an honorary member. In thanking the
corps for the honour done him he expressed his
anxiety to assist them in any way in his power. It
was often said that " artillery was only requisite
on the sea-board ;" but he considered, that in
case of an invasion, the metropolis could not
be defended by riflemen alone : with artillery
however, properly in position on the Surrey and
other hills, London might be considered unapproach-
able.

The Ilford corps has just celebrated its second
anniversary. An officers' challenge cup of the
value of £5O was shot for by five members of each
company, selected by previously displayed merit.
Five shots each were fired at ranges of 300, 600, and
900 yards, the conditions being that the captain of
the winning company should hold the cup for one
year, while each man of the winning squad should
receive a silver medal. Captain Cotesworth, of the
13 company, will hold the cup, his squad composed
of Lieutenant Wilson, Sergeant Peachy, Private
Peachey, and Private Casey receiving medals. A
timepiece of the value of £lO 10s. was won by Pri-
vate J. G. Whisker; a long Efifield rifle, given by
Captain Cotesworth, was won by Sergeant Peachey ;
a challenge cup, of the value of £l5, given by Mr.
W. Davis, was won by Private Gattey ; a ladies'
challenge cup, of the value of £2O, was won by
Sergeant Peachy ; a field glass, given by Mr.
Doublet, was won by Private W. Whisker. The
members of the corps were hospitably entertained
after the shooting by Mr. J. Davis.
The principal movement last week in Suffolk was
a match between the Bury St. Edmund's and Stow-
market companies, ten men a side. The ranges were
at 200, 500, and 600 yards, five rounds each, and
the Stowmarket party scored 113 points to their
opponents' 105, the Stowmarket shooting being de-
cidedly the best at the longer ranges. On the in-
vitation of Mr. R. Garrett a review is to take place
in Carlton-park, on Saturday, September 21.
The various Norfolk corps will be reviewed in
Holkham -park, the scat of the Earl of Leicester,
Lord-Lieutenant of the county, in the course of
next month. The companies of the Yarmouth
battalion have been engaged in shooting for a num-
ber of prizes, the competition closing on Friday
evening. A cup of the value of £5, presented by
the officers of the battalion, was won by private
Wilshak ; a prize of the value of £lo,' presented by
Sir E. Lacon and Sir H. J. Tracey, the members
for the borough, was gained by private Fenner ; a
pair of field glasses, presented by Major Orde,
by private Swan ; and a tradesman's cup, by pri-
vate Fyson ; while in a rifle Derby, in which 16
entered, privates Fenner, Swan, and Scott were the
winners. On Friday a match took place between
parties selected from the 2d and 4th Norwich Com-
panies, and the former won by upwards of 30 points.
Several matches and competitions for prizes have
taken place in Lincolnshire during the last few
days. Twelve members of the Stamford Company
shot against 12 of the Bour❑ Volunteers at 300,
500, and 600 yards, five rounds each, and the latter
proved victorious, scoring 134 points to the 117
obtained by the former. Thiee gold pins, pre-
sented by Sergeant Thornbury of the Victoria Rifles,
have been shot for at Lincoln, at ranges of 650, 700,
800, and 900 yards. The prizes were won by privates
Hughes, Smith, and Sackston, who made 17, 16,
and 14 points respectively.
In a contest between 12 of the Southwell and 12
of the Collingham Volunteers the former won by
18 points, the scores being 173 and 155 respectively.
The ranges were at 200, 300, and 400 yards.
On Saturday week the 3d Battalion Cheshire
Rifle Volunteers were inspected at Wythenshawe,
the seat of Lieut.-Col. Tatton, by Major Manners,
Assistant-Inspector of Volunteers, who expressed
himself well satisfied with the steadiness with
which the evolutions had been performed.

The Haverfordwest Rifle Corps purpose increasing
its strength to four companies, so as to form a bat-
talion in itself. A company of rifles has been
formed at the village of Solra, on the west coast of
the county of Pembroke.

The Ist Gloucestershire Engineers are steadily
progressing with the ordinary drill of rifleman.
They will soon commence a course of practical en-
gineering, having applied to the War-office for an
instructor from the Royal Engineers. The corps
is rapidly increasing in numbers.
The Ist Battalion of Cornwall Rifle Volunteers
was reviewed by Lord Vivian, Lord Lieutenant of
the county, on the 13th instant, in the grounds of
Sir Charles Lemon, Carclew. Corps of the
West Cornwall Volunteers from Truro, Falmouth,
Penryn, Helston, Redrutb, Camborne, Hayle, and
Penzance, numbering in all about 450 strong, were
formed into a battalion of eight companies, under the
command of Major-General Tremenhere, and in the
early part of the day were put through several
manoeuvres for the inspection of Major Hume, the
Deputy Inspector-General of Volunteers for the dis-
trict. After bivouacking on the ground for a few