The Sun.
London, England, 1845-12-12 00:00:00

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

SHEERNESS, DEC. 11.—The Sampson steam-frigate,
and the Viper brigantine, now lying in the basin here,
have just been commissioned at the Admiralty, the
former by Captain Henderson and the latter by Lieut.
Gray.
Lieutenant Gray, it will be remembered, was tried by
court-martial about 18 months ago, on charges framed
against him in consequence of the complaint of the
French Government, for having, while in command of
the Bonetta brigantine on the coast of Africa, detained
and searched a French merchant vessel, and for neglect
of duty as commanding officer throughout the transac-
tion, evinced by his permitting a case of wine and other
articles to be received into the Bonetta from the
merchant vessel, without having ascertained that due
payment had been made for the same, and by not punish-
ing a man belonging to the Bonetta, who had been de-
tected in taking away cigars from the same vessel. The
Court found the charges proved, and sentenced Lieu-
tenant Gray to be severely reprimanded,—a finding and
sentence which astonished all who had listened to the
evidence.

The London, 90, advance-ship, having had her top-
sides fresh caulked and painted, was towed to her proper
moorings among the advance-ships on Saturday.
The African steamer, which had been lent by the Ad-
miralty to assist in unmooring and removing the several
sections of Captain Taylor's breakwater at Brighton, re-
turned here on Sunday, without having accomplished the
purpose for which she was sent, on account of the seve-
rity of the weather. One section only was disconnected,
which ultimately drifted ashore, and could not be got
afloat again. It was the intention to tow all, one by one,
into Shoreham harbour, the experiment having been con-
sidered successful. Further operations have been, how-
ever, deferred till the spring.

CATTLE SHOW IN CHICHESTER.—The fat cattle
show held here on Wednesday, was deprived of its interest
by the absence of the Duke of Richmond, who has, for some
years past, invariably attended. Instead of his Grace, Lord
George Lennox, his brother, presided at the dinner, which
was given at the Dolphin Inn. A letter was read from the
Duke, stating that he was obliged to go to town, on business,
on Tuesday morning, to preside at the meeting of the Central
Protection Society, and that on the following day he had to
take the chair at the Smithfield Cattle Club. The chairman,
at the commencement of the after-dinner proceedings, said
this was not a political meeting, and he trusted he should be
supported in excluding politics. In consequence of this de-
claration, the speeches were of a mere complimentary charac-
ter, excepting, perhaps, the concluding speech of the chairman,
in which he said " that before their next meeting great
changes would take place—he was not going to allude to
politics—but he firmly believed that whatever changes might
take place they would not be detrimental to the farmers of
England." This sentiment was received with cheers, and the
Noble Lord then vacated the chair.
CONVICTS FOR NORFOLK ISLAND.—The Ariel,
' Woolwich steam-packet, brought one hundred and thirty-
six convicts down the river yesterday morning from Mill-
bank Penitentiary, and put them on board the Joseph
Somes, hired convict-ship, at anchor off the Royal Arsenal,
and a number of convicts are expected down the river this
day for conveyance to Norfolk Island. The convict guard,
consisting of three sergeants, three corporals, and forty-two
privates of 65th Regiment, have joined the vessel, and will
proceed under the command of Blajor Cheape, with Lieut.
Milford, of the 96th Regiment. The China, convict-ship, still
remains at her moorings opposite the Royal Arsenal, and it
is reported that she will now take out female convicts to Van
Diemen's Laud.