The Sun.
London, England, 1857-03-30 00:00:00

aval and Military Intelligence.

LAUNCH OF THE RENOWN, 91.—CHATHAM, March 29.
—The launch of the large screw-steamer Renown, 91
guns, took place yesterday afternoon in the presence of
several thousand spectators. A large gallery bad been
erected extending round the bows and sides of the vessel
for the accommodation of the Lords of the Admiralty,
the officers of the army and navy, and other visitors.
Owing, however, to the elections taking place yesterday
none of the members of lithe Admiralty were present.
An application had been made to allow the launch to be
postponed, in consequence of the workineß employed in
the dockyard having been granted a holiday for the pur.
pose of recording their votes. It was, however, not
considered expedient to piastpone the launch. The
Renown is the largest vessel of her class ever constructed
in this dockyard, being several feet longer than the
Orion, 91, which was launched from the same slip. She
is a two decker, and is considered the finest specimen of
naTal architecture in the service. She was constructed
under the general direction of Mr. F. J. Laire, master
shipwright, from the designs of Sir Baldwin Walker,
Bart., K.C.8., surveyor of the navy, and was commenced
in the latter [tart of 1854. The following are her prin.
cipal dimensions

Feet. In.
Length between perpendiculars ... . 244 9
Ditto for tonnage 2lO 0
Breadth, extreme 55 4
Ditto for tonnage 54 6
Ditto moulded
Height forward 53 0
Ditto aft
58 6
Depth of hold
24 6
Burthen 3,317 73-94 tons,
The ceremony of " christening" was performed by Mrs.
Goldsmith, the wife of the. Captain-Superintendent of
the yard ; and on the signal being given she glided into
the Medway, the Marine band playing Rule Britan-
nia." She was immediately afterwards towed by two
steamers to Sheernev, where she is to be fitted with her
machinery and made ready for sea. The next vessel
which will be launched from this dockyard is the Racoon,
21, which is just completed,
The Electra, 15, Commander W. Morris (1852), was
paid off on Saturday, having been in commission np-
wards of fouryears, during which time she has been solely
employed on the Australian station, cruising between
New Zealand and Sydney. Her crew were remarkably
healthy, only one man having died. On the morning of
the 20th Nov. 1856, whilst the vessel, was on her voyage
from Auckland to Sydney, and when in lat. 32 deg. 4
min. S,, long. 168 deg.. 12 min. E., she was struck by a
powerful whirlwind, which caused her to begin to fill.
After great efforts the mainsheet was. cut away and the
vessel lighted. She brought home about 14,000 ounces
of golf on freight, which was landed at Portsmouth.
On the vessel being paid off two medals and gratuities
weregiven away—one to Peter Francis, quartermaster,
and the other to William Boyne, captain's coxswain, for
good conduct ; Edward Rourke, able seaman, also re-'
ceived a gratuity of 151. for good and meritorious con-
duct. •

Col. H. Jervis, commanding the provisional battalion,
assembled the whole of the troops belonging to the seve-
ral depots on the Lines on Friday afternoon, where they
were inspected for field exercise. The number of troops
belonging to the provisional battalion is now 4,000 men
of all ranks. -