The Sun.
London, England, 1861-10-30 00:00:00

21IE NAVE

A plan has been recently submitted to the autho-
rities for the improvement of the channel of entrance
to the harbour of Portsmouth, and for giving as in-
creased area of basin accommodation, and has created
much attention from its comprehensiveness and
moderate cost. The urgent necessity for the creation
of large docks for the reception of iron ships of war
is acknowledged on all sides, and it is understood
that steps will be taken by the Board of Admiralty
to construct the first of such docks in the north-east
portion of the mud lands of Portsmouth harbour.
Other accommodation must, however, be found for
these iron steamers besides docks, such as steam
basins, coaling wharfs, &c. The plan to which refer-
ence is made provides this accommodation in the
following manner :—The shoals which separate
Portsmouth harbour channel from the deep water
at Spithead are of a nearly triangular form, the
base extending from Blockhouse Fort, on the west
side of the mouth of Portsmouth harbour, to Fort
Nonkton, at the east end of Stokes Bay, the apex
of the triangle being near the Spit Buoy, and oppo-
site Southsea Castle. It is proposed in the terms
used in the specifications " to inclose these shoals
with two tiers of whole bulk cofferdam piles, with ties
and braces complete, filled in with excavationsfrom
the shoals, which would thus become of sufficient
depth in the area inclosed within this piling for
two basins ; the one at the base of the triangle to
be an inner floating basin of about 216 acres, the
outer one, at the apex of the triangle, to be a tidal
basin of about 125 acres." The plan includes wharfs
over the piling 200 feet wide, with lines of railway
on their inner and outer faces; a coaling depot on
each side of the entrance at the apex of the work,
each capable of holding 100,000 tons, with a light-
house over each. The author of the plans, a civil
engineer of good standing, estimates the cost at
£450,000 only. A glance at the chart of Ports-
mouth harbour and Spithead will show that by the
construction of these walls, or wharfs, the one ex-
tending from the mouth of Portsmouth harbour
along the side of the harbour channel to the Spit
Buoy would confine the flood and ebb tides to the
channel proper, instead of wasting their strength,
more especially the ebb, as at present, on that
part of the shoal between Blockhouse and
the outer swashway. Under these im-
improved circumstances the tides would per-
form their natural functions, the so-called
" bar " of the harbour channel would rapidly dis-
appear, and no fears would be entertained in future
as to the want of a depth of water in auy part of
the approaches to the port. The second point to be
noticed is the vast amount of basin area and wharf-
age which would be gained for the berthing, coal-
ing, and storing our men-of-war, and thus allowing
the interior of Portsmouth harbour to be reserved
chiefly for docks. With an inner floating basin of
216 acres, and an outer tidal basin of 125 acres, the
accommodation afforded is beyond what could be
obtained at any other point in the Channel. At first
sight the plan appears open to objection from its
exposed state to the attack of an enemy at Spit-
head, but, although not included in the plan, being
very properly left to the Royal Engineers, it is
evident, on examining the drawings of the work,
that it would become the strongest part of the sea
defences of the port by simply constructing bat-
teries along its line of bread wharfs, and that the
necessity for constructing the contemplated heavy
fort on the Spit would be done away with ; or, if
the fort must be conrtructed, that it would form an
appropriate guard to the entrance to the basins.

three battalions of infantry of the Line quartered '
at Chatham garrison. On the previous day Gen.
Rumley had each of the battalions drawn up within
the fortifications, where he inspected them l y depots
and companies in heavy marching order, and after-
wards witnessed them go through Ihe manual
and bayonet exercises. At the termination of the in-
spection on Monday afternoon Gen. Rumley con-
cluded the examination of the books and accounts of
the Ist and 2d battalions, yesterday being devoted
to the inspection of the hut barracks, Brompton, as
well as the south square at Brompton barracks, in
which the depots of the 3d battalion are quartered.
Geis. Rumley went through the various establish-.
ments connected with the barracks,and also inspected
the accounts of each of the depots. The result of the
' lengthened inspection at Chatham is deemed to be
exceedingly satisfactory. Should the weather per-
mit it is probable that the three battalions will be
reviewed on the lines this morning by Major-Gen.
' Rumley.
Yesterday Mr. K. Spicer, the Government con-
: tractor, commenced preparing the ground in the
Camp-fields, adjoining the Maidstone-road, Chatham
on which to erect a range of buildings, to be used as
slaughterhouses, commissariat stores, and ware-
houses, in which the meat required for the daily use
of the troops of Chatham garrison may be killed and
prepared under the direct supervision of the officers
of the Commissariat Department.
The authorities at the Horse Guards have decided
on considerably augmenting the strength of the
sub-division of Royal Artillery at Sheerness by the
addition of another field battery, in order to make
the garrison superior in strength to that of any
other Artillery station, with the exception of Wool-
wich. The necessary arrangements for quartering
an additional battery of Royal Artillery at Sheer-
ness will be made as soon as the present barrack
accommodation has been increased by the conversion
of a portion of the old military barracks into quar-
ters for married families. The new married quar-
ters, the contract for the erection of which has been
taken by Mr. J. G. Naylar, Rochester, are being com-
pleted as rapidly as circumstances will permit, and,
although the building was commenced but a few
months since, a portion of the roof is already being
fixed. The exterior of tho edifice has a very
imposing appearance, and in the interior
every care has been taken to provide com-
fort and accommodation for the married men,
by whom it will be occupied. The strength of the
first division of the depot brigade consists of Nos. 1,
2,3, and 4 batteries, the whole numbering upwards
of 900 officers and men of all ranks, under the com-
mand of Colonel Talbot, an officer of considerable
experience in the instruction of young officers and
recruits of the Royal Artillery for their military
duties.

THE NORTHERN STATES OF AZERICA.

(From the Times' correspondent.)
OCTOBER 15.
I date one more letter from the interior of New
England. The figures in my last letter, showing
the number of soldiers enlisted from Massachusetts
for the war, turn out to be under the truth. By the
courtesy of the officials I am able to give the exact
figures. This State has already sent into service 17
full regiments of over 1,000 men each ; 11 detached
companies, and three full batteries of light artillery.
It has in camp three complete regiments of infan-
try, five more regiments which will be filled before
the close of this month, two batteries of light artil-
lery, and a regiment of cavalry; and it has contri-
buted to the navy 11,000 sailors, making a total of
over 40,000 men, furnished by this State alone, its
quota being less than 30,000. I stated last week
that I thought the other New England States were
doing equally well. lam now able to state on offi-
cial authority that such is the case. Maine has al-
ready sent forward 10 regiments of infantry, and is
actively enlisting others. Besides this she supplies a
large number of sailors. The little State of Rhode
Island has three regiments of infantry and five bat-
talions of artillery in the field, and has in prepara-
tion three batteries of artillery, two battalions of
cavalry, and one battalion of infantry ; and Connec-
ticut has in the field four regiments of infantry and
one squadron of cavalry, has in camp four regiments
of infantry only waiting for arms, and is also orga-
nising two additional regiments of infantry, four
companies of cavalry, and a battery of artillery.
Before the new year New England will have in the
army and navy at least 100,000 men, of whom the
majority will be her own hardy native-born sons,
and no small part of whom enlist from a sense of
duty. Few armies are composed of better mate-
rial than this section of the country sends to
fight the battle of the national integrity, few go
better provided with the means of preserving
the health and the morale of the men in the
camps. Your special correspondent can tell you
better than I can how many and what sort of men
are sent from the other parts of the country. I ven-
tureto say, however, that no State sends more men
in proportion to its population, or a better class of
men than Massachusetts, which is the type of civi-
lisation, general education and culture, wealth, re-
finement, and respect for law and order, which the
present rebellion aims to subvert.
The Abolition speech of Mr. Sumner continues to
be the subject of angry comment by the Massachu-
setts Press. It is evident that the Union party,
even of this extremely anti slavery State, does not
sympathise with his views. Still I see signs that
Abolitionism, pure and simple, is increasing. Among
other things I may mention that an offer has been
made to the Governor, and is entertained—though
not yet accepted—to raise a regiment upon the
John Brown "platform" of pledged Abolitionists,
enlisting as such, and fighting as avowed crusaders
against the " offspring of Hell," as they mildly call
negro slavery.
The alacrity with which the moneyed classes
furnish the Government with the sinews of war, and
the working classes furnish it with the bone and
muscle, give little reason to believe that the English
counsels of peaceful separation will be listened to.
Nothing occasions more surprise among intelligent
Americans than the unanimity with which the Eng-
lish Press tender such counsel, for all thinking men
here agree that such a course would be dishonour-
able to the last degree if possible; and that it never
has been possible. If Ireland should again rise in
rebellion, claiming a separate national existence on
the ground of difference in religion and want of iden-
tity of interests, or should the native population of
India, forgetting the severe lessons they have re-
ceived, again try to overthrow their handful of fo-
reign rulers, no Englishman worthy of his nation-
ality would counsel the course which is now urged
upon the United States. The loyal people of the
United States can see no difference between the
rebellion here and any other rebellion, except that
this rebellion is entirely without provocation. The
Government of the United States is entitled, under
the Constitution and laws, to be as much a unity
and as much a sovereignty in the States of the
South, in all matters committed to it, as the Impe-
rial Government is in Ireland or India, or the
French Government is in Algiers ; and there is no
more power in law of a peaceful withdrawal from
the Confederation against the will of the other
States than there is in Canada to withdraw from
the sway of her Majesty without the consent of the
Home Government. I instance these parallel cases
iannaortaheer to bring the relations between the States
Government before the rebellion
within the comprehension of Englishmen not fami-
The sth company of Royal Engineers, which has liar with the complicatedh machinery of the United
been doing duty for some time past at Woolwich, States' Government. The idea that a State ma
front y
arrived at Chatham garrison yesterday afternoon, peaceably withdraw itself the Confederation is
ee
hv
ee buy
is. Mmr.aCihally-
and joined head-quarters. The company, which an
h absurdity never entertained
unit,l in order to
numbers nearly 100 non. commissioned officers and u.n, to
Hwehotaseugthetachhoitnhgshithpiusbrrie
owing.
the South should act as a political
privates, was under the command of Lieut. D. C.
and private that
control the policy of the nat.
Walker and Lieut. G. V. Sivewright ; Lieut.. G. G.
whatever party might be in power, and that when-
-sth Government,
C. Rigsby remained at Woolwich to be attached to
Since the
the 9th company of Royal Engineers.
they should be ever
dunable to do this, or the North
similar
Confederacy;
the South
sth company has been at Woolwich it has been em-
should
played in the various building and engineering ,should act withanse
secede and organise
seceassnioenwes'oan
reidoehrtacy
The; but he did
operations connected with the earrison, and on the
reasons
Public works in progress. It is relieved by the 9th
he gave for his views were philosophical, though, I
company, which arrived at Woolwich yesterday
from not contemplate
will sound harsh to those Englishmen
Aldershot t camp, where it is succeeded by the acquiesce in them. African
wish the North t
24th (Ca pt. Dwho
P • urnford's) company, from the Mcdi- fear, they
terranean.his eye was not only the only system of
the South could prosper, but
Ye%terdaY M 4 en Rumley, Inspector- labour under which
slavery in
General of Ws:- G
171 ranted his inspection of the
it Was in itself just system o labour, and one

A naval court-martial assembled yesterday on
board her Majesty's ship Victory, at Portsmouth, for
the trial of James Mathews, a private in the Royal
Marines, on the charges, inter cilia, of having stolen
a silver watch and gold chain, the property of Mr.
Sturt, naval cadet on board the*Hero. The prisoner
was sentenced to be reduced to second class, to re-
ceive 48 lashes, and to be imprisoned for nine months
in Winchester gaol.
Her Majesty's line-of-battle screw steamer Orion,
89, 600-horse power, Capt. John J. B. E. Frere,
arrived at the Little Nore, on Sunday, from the
Mediterranean, and immediately saluted the flag of
Vice• Admiral W. S. Hope Johnstone, Commander-
in-Chief, which was returned by the Formidable,
84, Captain W. J. Luard. On the following morn-
ing Admiral Johnstone embarked on board the
Wildfire paddlewheel steamer, Master-Commander
G. Brockman, and proceeded to the Nore to in-
spect the Orion, and was received by the officers
and crew in the customary manner. The gal- ,
lant Admiral minutely inspected the various 1
parts of the ship. lie afterwards mustered the crew )
and exercised them at the great guns. Before leav-
ing the Orion he expressed himself much pleased
with the high state of perfection in which the ship
and crew were found. She will immediately strip
and pay off.

The Phaeton, 51, screw steam frigate, 400 horse-
power, is being prepared in No. 3 dock at Sheerness
for immediate commission. This fine frigate was
formerly one of the " crack" sailing frigates of the
navy, and about two years since was lengthened 30
feet and converted into a screw steamer, since which
she is one of the best of the converted class of 51-
gun screw frigates.

The screw steamship Revenge, 91, Capt. C. Fel-
lowes, flag of Rear-Admiral Robert Smart, KIT.,
left Plymouth Sound yesterday afternoon to join
the Warrior at Portland. Flag•Lient. F. H. Co-
lomb, of the guardship in steam ordinary, is gone in
the Revenge to test his system of night signals by
flashesproduced from an ordinary lamp, the light of
which is enclosed in a movable cylinder acted on by
the barrel of the machine, which in some respects is
on the same principle as that of an ordinary barrel
organ. The weight of the entire apparatus does
not exceed 801 b.

The crew of the gunboat Skipjack, which left the
Sound for Spithead on Monday morning and put
back in consequence of strong easterly winds, will
be paid off at Plymouth instead of Portsmouth.
She is now in Haraoaze.

Orders were received yesteiday at Devonport to
prepare the Aboukir, 90, and Centurion, 80, for
foreign service forthwith. It is conjectured at
Plymouth that these ships will be sent to Mexico.
In The Sun of the 17th and 22d current refer-
ence was made to a trial trip of the Maid of Kent
steamer to test the most effectual method of disen-
gaging ships' boats in cases of emergency. Clifford's
apparatus was not that exclusively approved.
There were four boats ordered by the London,
Chatham, and Dover Railway Company for the
vessel making the trip, two of which were on Clif-
ford's plan, and two on Rogers's ; the latter having
_ been ascertained to be particularly well suited for
being lowered while the vessel to which they are
attached is in rapid motion.
The followinF appointments were made yester-
day at the Admiraltyh :—Lieut. Cecil G. S. Stanley,
additional,
to
Le eieuatmsbridge Lieut. George Morice
to the Porte ; ,
crat..John Coventry, to the Cum-
, mastgeie, master, to the Victory ;
bOcorela.nMacfarlane
tuckier, additional, to the for
the Esk ; Frank
G.
Rant, midshipman
instractor,Asia to the
Aboukir ; Charles
Orpheus ; Daniel J.llanailtoninaiseaf'hipinan' to the
master,
to the Revenge; J. masterTaylcitereioont
ant, to the Orpheus ; Charles M.
assistant, to the Firebrand ; Thomtur
a, ma
; and George L.
master's assistant, to the Virago
Miller, clerk, to the Victory, as supernumerary.

THE ARIIII,