The Sun.
London, England, 1845-01-15 00:00:00

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

PORTSMOUTH, MONDAT.—The foundation-stone of a
steam basin was laid this day by Admiral Hyde Parker,
C. 13 , superintendent of the dockyard. The situation of
this important feature in our naval establishment has
been so often of late described, that we shall not trouble
our readers with an account of it, but proceed at once to
the ceremony of laying the stone, which weighed 7 tons,
is 9 feet long by 7 feet 2 inches wide, and 2 feet 3 inches
thick ; this was suspended by strong chains from double
three-sheaved blocks over the spot intended as its station,
which was at the corner of the area under the old boat
house, so that the atone forms the corner-stone, on the
N.N.E. side of the structure. The foundation is at about
40 feet from the surface of the yard, and it is only near
the spot abo►e-mentioned that the excavations have pro-
ceeded to their fullest extent. On the right side of the
stone, or descending the steps leading to the area, was
erected a spacious tooth, capable of accommodating some
hundreds of spectators, which consisted of the elite of the
port and garrison, invited specially to witness the cere-
mony. This was tastefully fitted up, and embellished
with evergreens and flags, and the seats covered with
scarlet cloth. The Royal Marines' band was in attend-
ance, and until the commencement of the ceremony en-
livened the scene with various popular airs. There were
three brass plates let into the stone, bearing inscriptions,
containing the names of the superintendent of her
Majesty's dockyard at Portsmouth, the date of the cere-
mony, the names of the Lords of the Admiralty, of the
officers in command at Portsmouth, &c.

The chaplain of the St. Vincent having offered up an
appropriate prayer, the usual formalities upon such oc-
casions were gone through, and Admiral Parker having
applied the square, plumb-rule, and mallet, as also re-
ceived a silver trowel from Mr. P. Rolt, with which he
applied the usual amount of mortar used by foundation-
stone layers, the ponderous mass was lowered into its
base, the band struck up the National Anthem, and a
deafening roar from the throats of the assembled multi-
tude completed the work. Admiral Parker then re-
ceived a glass of champagne (which was liberally dis-
tributed to the invited spectators) from Mr. Rolt, and
drank " Success to the beginning of this magnificent
basin, and I trust it will conduce to the defence of the
country." This was responded to with cheers, and ter-
minated the proceedings.
The Harlequin, 16, Commander Ilastincr°s, arrived from
Devonport yesterday with specie ; she brought up at
Spithead and saluted, and came into harbour this after-
noon to land her treasure, which will proceed to the
Mint to-morrow under an escort of the 59th.
The Rhadamantb us steam-transport, Master-Comman-
der Laen, arrived from Plymouth yesterday with invalids
(from Cork), and left to day for the eastward.

MYSTERIOUS DEATH AT SHEER-

NESS.

Considerable excitement exists at Sheerness at pre-
sent in consequence of the sudden death of a young and
handsome Jewess, a daughter of Samuel Russell, a gene-
ral dealer of Mile-town, under circumstances of a very
suspicious nature. An inquest was held on Thursday
before Mr. Hinde, coroner for East Kent.
Mrs. Russell examined—l am the mother of the de-
ceased, Esther Russell. She was in her 23d year. She
gave birth to a child on the morning of Tuesday, the 7th
instant. One of two younger sisters, respectively five
and six years of age, who have slept with her for the last
nine months, first announced her illness to me. On going
t,) see I was shccked to find she had given birth to a
child ; she held it up to me and said, ".See, mother." It
was dead. She complained of being faint. I gave her
some tea, and afterwards some gin-and-water. She be-
same more and more faint, and died on the arrival of the
surgeon. I did not know that she was pregnant, nor did
I know that my neighbours suspected her being so. No
one ever hinted such a thing in my presence.
A juryman—Mrs. Russell, don't you remember your
being present one day when I taxed Esther in your own
house with being in such a state ?
Mrs. Russell—l do not. I have no reason to suspect
that she took anything to do away with herself.
Samuel Russell examined—l am the father of the
deceased Esther Russell. I generally go to bed about
ten o'clock. About four o'clock I was reused to see
Esther. I was shocked on perceiving the nature of her
illness, and asked why I was not previously informed of
this. She replied, "0, father, you have had enough to
trouble you without this. 0, the villain that deceived
me I" On her becoming very ill I ran for the nearest
doctor, but before he arrived she was dead. I never knew
she was pregnant till the morning of the day previous to
her death.

Dr. James Potter examined—l am a surgeon in gene •
ral practice at Sheerness. On Tuesday morning, about
seven o'clock, I was called in great haste by Mr. Russell,
and accompanied him to his house. On the way he
observed he was afraid she would be dead before we
arrived. I did not know whether it was his wife or his
daughter he alluded to. On my arrival I found the
young woman dead, and a new-born infant dead by her
side. I did not make any examination beyond ascer-
taining whether she was in life or not. The child was
cold and stiff, and must have been dead for several
hours. The navel string was cut ; it was not torn ; it
was not tied. There was no appearance of parturition
having so lately occurred. Her dress was clean and
duly arranged. lam opinion that she must have been
dead for an hour at least before my arrival. The child
must have been dead four hours at least. Without a
post mortem examination, I am not prepared to assert the
cause of death.—Adjourned.