The Sun.
London, England, 1861-07-31 00:00:00

THE NAVY.

By orders from the Admiralty, a commission has
been formed to inquire into and report upon the
best mode of ventilating ships of war. Among

the members composing the commission are Capt.
A. P. E. Wilmot, R.N., C.B. ; Mr. G. Mur-
doch, inspector of machinery afloat at Portsmouth ;
and Mr. J. B. Peake, master shipwright at Devon-
port Dockyard. They hold their first meeting at
Portsmouth to-day.
It is reported on good authority that the Donegal,
101, screw, Capt. Sherard Osborne, is the ship that
has been selected by the Admiralty to accompany
the Warrior on her first trial trip at sea.
The Duncan, 101, screw, on her trial of speed at
the measured mile in Stokes Bay on Monday,
realised a speed of 13 knots, with the common two-
bladed screw, leading corners cut, and blades fitted
on Maudslay's shifting pitch principle. A trial was
made of lowering a cutter from the Duncan's quar-
ter, fitted on a plan suggested by a man named
Webb, a carpenter's mate in the navy. The experi-
ment elicited great commendation from the officers
on board, but it will be renewed and more fully
tested on a future opportunity.
A full Board of Admiralty, consisting of the Duke
of Somerset, First Lord ; Admiral Sir F. Grey,
Capt. Eden, Capt. Frederick, Mr. Whitbread, M.P. ;
Lord Clarence Paget, Secretary ; and Capt. John
Moore, private secretary to the First Lord ; Admiral
Robinson, Controller of the Navy; and Col. Greene,
Director of Engineering and Architectural Works,
arrived at the dockyard at Woolwich yesterday
morning, and after transacting the usual official
business in the Commodore's office, proceeded to in-
spect the Caledonia (building in No. 4 shed), one
of the new iron-cased ships of 4,200 tons burden.
The Caledonia was commenced about five weeks
ago, and her frame is nearly completed and in place;
her planking, beams, &e., being rapidly provided
and put together by a large body of workmen. The
Board were pleased to express their satisfaction at
the great progress which had been made since the
order was given to proceed with the vessel. They
next visited the Basilisk, repairing in No. 2 dock,
and the Adventure in No. 3 dock. The latter
ship is one of the iron transports lately pur-
chased into the service, and is of such great length
that the dock required to be lengthened in order
to admit her. The Repulse, 91 guns, on slip No.
4, and Wolverene, 21 guns, on slip No. 5, were then
examined. The latter vessel is building on an en-
tirely new construction. Her deck beams are
wholly of iron instead of timber, and are rolled in
one length, under Bertram's patent system of weld-
ing, instead of riveting. This arrangement tends
to meet the present urgent and pressing demands
for timber of large sizes, and was admitted by their
lordships to be of great importance at the present
time. The Board, after inspecting the boats fitting
out for the Warrior, returned along the wharf to
the west end of the yard. The Dartmouth, 36
guns, and Sylvia, 6 guns, building on Nos. 1 and 2
slips, were carefully examined, and the Board then
proceeded to the Trusty in the inner basin, which
is fitted with Captain Coles's shot-proof shield.
They took particular interest in the examination of
this formidable apparatus, by which it is proposed
,o shelter the gunners, guns, and ammunition dur-

ing action, examining also the manner in which an
Armstrong 40-pounder gun mounted within was
enabled to operate entirely unseen. After inspect-
ing the steam-engine factory the Board proceeded
to the stores of timber in the yards. At the police
quarters in the yard Sir Richard Mayne pointed
out the great disadvantages of the asphalte flooring
there. Its entire removal was immediately ordered.
The Board, in conclusion, visited the infirmary, to
examine, in working order, the new patent cooking
apparatus erected by Messrs. Benham and Sons, of
London. It is intended to cook for the whole of
• the patients, 500 in number, and will supply hot
water for baths and at discretion, with a single fire,
and, as proved to the Board, with a consumption of
less than *lb. of coals per man, or 2001 b. daily.
Their lordships then left for London.
Every exertion is being made at Chatham to
complete the Arethusa, now occupying No. 3 dock
in this dockyard, where she is being converted into
a screw steam frigate, of 51 guns and 500-horse
power; she has also been considerably lengthened
amidships and at the stern, and strengthened to ren-
der her suitable for a steam ship. On Monday
morning two extra gangs of shipwrights were
placed upon the vessel, making the total number
of hands now engaged upon her upwards of 200.
It is intended to send her from the dock on the 9th
of next month, as it is required for the accom-
modation of the Defence, 18, screw steam ship,
800-horse power, which is building at Jarrow, on
the Tyne, and which is ordered to fit out at this
yard.
After nearly a year's preparation, a commence-
ment was yesterday made at Chatham of the Achilles,
50, iron steam frigate, which is to be built at that
yard. The first plate of this, which is to be the
most formidable of our mailclad steamers, was suc-
cessfully turned in the presence of Capt. Fanshawe,