The Sun.
London, England, 1861-12-09 00:00:00

THE NAVAL PREPARATIONS AT

PORTSMOUTH.

Interesting as naval and military proceedings
might now be, in connection with the doings at the
various dockyards and garrisons, the preparations
at Portsmouth possess a more than ordinary amount
of interest; for alongside the dockyard and in the
steam basin of that port there are moored two fri-
gates, on the success of which the whole naval con-
stitution of England so greatly depends—we refer
to these iron-clad sister ships, the Warrior and
Black Prince. The former frigate has been tested,
and has hitherto proved successful. The latter will,
no doubt, prove equally so, as the same principle
has been adhered to in her construction as in the
Warrior, and as models both ships are equally dis-
tinguished and commended. The ,Warrior, under
the command of the Hon. A. Cochrane, remains
alongside the sheer and pitch-house jetties at Ports-
mouth. A number of workmen are employed about
her day and night, and the crew have been, and
still tire, hard at work fitting her for sea service
again. The manner in which the seamen have be-
haved is most commendable. There appears to be
an innate feeling among them that war is coming
on, and that they have been insulted by the Ameri-
cans. This ship is ordered to be in readiness for
sea in six days from the present time. She has
completed her coaling, having taken in 700 tons.
Workmen are making slight alterations in her
steering apparatus, and her screw has been lifted
out. Her head, which was damaged, is being re-
paired, and men are employed fitting out her store
and her shell rooms. Blacksmiths are employed in
putting her scuppers on the upper deck to the sewer
pipe below, and a few modifications are being com-
pleted in her general ventilation. Amidst many
other fittings artisans are placing racks around the
upper deck, made to hold shots for Armstrong's
guns. The Black Prince is progressing ; 250 men
of all trades are to be employed on board of her, in
order to complete the contractor's work. At the
present time a large body of workmen are actively
engaged on board this ship, preparing her for
masting and rigging, and fitting her out for sea
service. Were it necessary with the full complement
of men, this frigate could be thoroughly fitted for
sea in six weeks. Although 250 men are to be en-
gaged on her, it is well known that when at Glas-
gow, no less than 1,300 workmen were employed
on board her, and doubtless had she remained in
Glasgow, she would have been completed ere this ;
but the great disadvantage was the absence of any-
thing like a convenient place alongside in which to
berth her. She is now in the steam basin, which
has been again filled of necessity. In addition to
the warlike preparations referred to as above, we
would state that the bakers and millers at Clarence
Victualling -yard, Gosport, have received orders to
work extra hours, in order that a stock of naval
bread and flour may be on hand to supply any sud-
den demand that might arise. On Saturday the
Hero, 89, screw, Captain A. P. Ryder, received
orders to fill up with provisions, which she will
convey to the North American station. By Satur-
day noon this ship was to have sailed, but she did
not leave Spithead until yesterday afternoon
(Sunday). The Stromboli, 6, steam sloop, also in
course of preparation for active service was
taken into No, S dock in order to have
her copper cleaned, :The Edgar, 89, screw,

F --,1 70 /.,.; ,--, 7-1,
...&_,
Wu George P. Mends, remains at Spithead, tut
,
will, it is reported, sail in a fe*4(tys for .NqrA me-
rica. It may not be uninteliking to mit4eaders
to know what ships have as yefbeen orderl to be
placed in readiness for immediate commission. The
Government have ordered the followit* to be made
ready for sea service, if required. 4—. - ..
Guns. ' •:lin': I.3urdcn.
13arossa ............... 21 400 1700
Devastation ........ ... 6 400 1058
Euryalus ............ . 51 400 2371
Galatea . ...... 26 800 3227
Highflyer ....... 21 250 1161
Magicienne ..,
Octavia
Pylades
Phoebe ........... .... 51 500 2896
Perseus ...
Petrel ll 150 669
Pandora 5 80 426
Royal George .. S 6 400 2661
Rattlesnake ............ 21 400 170.5
Rosario
Sutlej
Severn
Shannon .51 600 2667
Styx
Stromboli
Vigilant
Zebra