The Sun.
London, England, 1845-08-22 00:00:00

' NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.
PORTSMOUTH, THURSDAY.—The Aig!e, 24, Captain Lord
Clarence Paget, arrived last evening from the Mediterranean
station, twenty-one days from Gibraltar, bringing invalids
from the squadron. She left at braltar the Fantome, 16,
Commander Sir F. Nicholson ; the Flamer steam-sloop, Lieu-
tenant-Commander Pootle , and the Spitfire steam-vessel,
Lieutenant-Commander Macdonald. Lord Paget landed last
evening vti h his dispatches. The Aigle is ordered round to
the eastward to be paid off, having been four years in commis-
sion. She sailed this afternoon for Chatham. She had not
seen the experimental squadron.
The Centaur steam-frigate, buildiag, from the design of
Sir W. Symonds, Surveyor of the Navy, at this dockyard, is
nearly ready to leave the slip.
The Scourge, another steamer by the Surveyor, is being
fitted with a 13-inch mortar abaft. This vessel has never been
tried with the usual armament of guns, which we believe, if
mounted, would be useless ; without, however, endeavouring
to ascertain what weight of armament is adapted to her capa-
bilities, her constructor is having her fitted for a 13-inch
mortar; this will displace three guns, and entirely fill up the
wardroom.
The trial of Porter's anchors against the Admiralty anchor is
being proceeded with at Spithead, under the superintendence of
Captain Aloubray, of the Victory, Commander Wilcox, of the
Victory, and Mr. Charles Brown, Assistant-Master-Attendant
of the dockyard. The trial will last so KC days, the weather of
late having been very unfavourable.
The Columbine yacht, the property of Mr. Smith Barry, in
coming into harbour on the 6th inst., ran down a wherry con-
taining eight persons, including Charles Carr, the waterman
and owner of the boat. All were immersed in the water, but
were rescued from a watery grave by the promptiiude of the
hands on board the yacht and boats sent to their assistance.
Carr, from his long immersion in the water, was exhausted
when taken out, and confined to his bed after the accident until
Monday last, when he died. An inquest was held yesterday
before the borough coroner, when a verdict of Accidental Death
was returned. In the evidence it was proved that every atten-
tion which humanity could dictate was paid to the sufferers by
Mr. Smith Barry, who has behaved in a most liberal and hand-
some manner towards the widow of Carr and the other persons
injured by the accident.
DEVONPORT.—The Avenger steam-frigate, unchecked on
Monday, will proceed to-day in charge of Mr. Henderson, As-
sistant-Master-Attendant of this d ckyard, to the river, to
have her engines and machinery fitted. An inspector and ten
shipwrights go in her to execute the shipwright-work con-
nected with fitting the engines, sze.
The Callope, '26, Captain Stanley, which sailed on Mon-
day, will proceed first to the Cape of Good Elope, thence to
Auckland, New Zealand, and thence (should her services not
be required at New Zealand) to Hong-Kong, to join the squa-
dron under Rear-Admiral Coehrarn;, Commander-in-Chief.
The Jackall, iron steamer, has been again brought into har-
bour, to undergo further alteration. Her masts and yards are
to be reduced, and the paddle-boards to be .‘ reefed," her last
trial trip having exhibited the expediency of such alterations.
In Harbour—The Caledonia, Bloodhound, Jackall, and Con-
fiance, steamers; Netley and Sylph, tenders; and the Camel,
Tortoise, Sinbad, and Falmouth, navy lighters.
Mr. William Bulford, layer and acting foreman of rope-
makers in this dockyard, is appointed foreman of ropemakers in
Portsmouth dockyard, vice Parsons, deceased.
WooLvercH, Aua. 21.—The Lightning steam-vessel, Mr.
Petley, Nlastet-Commander, has been placed under orders to
be held in readiness to embark the Dowager Lady Grey,
at Woolwich, on Saturday, the 23d instant, for a passage
to Ostend.

The Grampus, 50 guns, was taken out of the dock yesterday,
and brought round to the basin to have her masts put in, and
made ready for sea. This vessel was built in 1784, and yet is
the admiration of all the naval officers who have seen her since
she was razeed from a74to a 50-gun ship. A highly quali-
fied and experienced naval officer stated that he would prefer
her under her present form to any modern vessel in the navy,
as she sits beautifully on the water, and has ample room to work
her guns on the broadsides as well as fore and aft. Her stern is
rounded, and very handsome, and on the lower deck has four
portholes for guns of large calibre. Mr. Lang, master-ship-
buil ler, has introduced a great improvement in the form of
the porthole coverings on her broadsides, by making them
in two pieces instead of one, which renders them
equally strong, although only half the usual weight.
when it is requisite to move them. The Grampus, when
fini.hed as a 50 gun frigate, will possess every quality, in the
opinion of qualified judges, that is requisite in a man-of-war,
without any of the doubtful qualities which hare recently been
the subject of so much discussion.
The Gladiator new steam-frigate, built at Woolwich, has
had her engines put on beard at the East India Dicks, and was
towed down the river by the Monkey steam-vessel on Tuesday
to Woolwich, where she was taken into the basin, and will be
ready for commission in a few weeks.

The Baretto, jun., transport-ship, having arrived from ac-
companying the Arctic expedition sooner than was expected,
has been placed under orders to convey the two companies of
Royal Artillery under orders fur North America to their desti-
nation at Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The Dee steam-vessel, Master-Commander Driver, when
ready for sea will be employed on some other duty.
By letters from Quebec, it appears that the Apollo troop-
ship, Commander Radcliffe, had embarked the two companies
of Royal Artillery ordered home from North America, and
sailed on the 28th of July for England. Several invalids are
also on board the Apollo, and she is now daily expected in the
river to disembark the companies of the Royal Artillery at
their head-quarters at Woolwich.

TRIAL OF CAPTAIN MANBY'S
MORTAR.
On Saturday afternoon several experiments of Capt. Manby's
mortar took place at Yarmouth. Mons. C. P. Claudi, the
superintendent of the eoa,t guard in Denmark, having been
deputed by the Danish Government to visit England and to
communicate with the British Government, with a view to
adopt some means for the prevention of the loss of life which
frequently occurs to a frightful extent on the rocky and dan-
gerous western coast of Zetland, the Government referred the
Hon. Gentleman to Captain Jerningham, inspecting comman-
der of the coast guard, as being able to afford the most efficient
display, not merely of the machinery, but of the tact and
talent of a body of men by whom the apparatus is mo.t effec-
tively brought into play. Having inspected and Brea ly ad-
mired the life-boats. Captain Jerningham was desirous of show-
ing Mons. Claudi the manner in which the mortar and rocket
were used, and the readiness and method with which they were
handled. The mortars and rocket apparatus having been
brought to the water side, and Captain Jerningham, assisted
by Lieutenant Digby, B.N, , and accompanied by Mons.
Claudi, having arrived, posts were driven into the
sand so as to form a small square, within which none
but those concerned in the experiments were allowed
to enter. The wind blew a stiff breeze from the N. W., and
Captain Jerningham fixed upon the space between a schooner
lying in the offing and a buoy, both of which were nearly
within range. The first experiment was with the large brass
mortar, a piece weighing 1 cwt. 1 qr. 121 b., and of a calibre to
carry 281 b. shot. fhis being placed at an elevation of 38
degrees, was charged with 10 ounces of powder ; the shot was
attached to a line of 1# inch size, and weighing 1011 b. the 100
yards. On the piece being fired, the shot flew straight for the
direction in which it was aimed, falling beyond the buoy and
to leeward of the schooner, taking the line out of a range of
240 yards. The second trial was made with the old mortar, a
large iron piece of greater weight and calibre than the brass
piece. The charge was 16 ounces of powder, the elevation 33
degrees, and the shot and line the same as in the first fire.
Unfortunately the line snapped at about 8 or 10 fathoms, and
the shot flew an immense distance. Lieut. Digby said it had
been complained that the iron mortar invariably broke her
line. The third experiment was with the brass mortar, at an
elevation of 36 degrees, with the same charge as before, and
the same weight of shot and lime, which she carried with the
same precision as at first. The f,urth and fifth experiments
were by firing in a northerly direction along the beach, when
the brass mortar carried the line out about 210 yards. The
iron mortar again broke the line, and discharged the line to a
considerable distance, it falling on a hill not far from Caistor.
There was a desire to have tried the rockets, but the rind
blowing rather hard, and there being a great many people
scattered about the Denes, it was thought inexpedient. M.
Claudi, who took great interest in the proceedings, and made
notes of every :point connected with the experiments, ex-
pressed himself much gratified wills the opportunity which had
been afforded him of witnessing the trial of Captain Alariby's
apparatus. Those who take an inter, st in this venerable
philanthropist will he glad to learn that, though eighty years
of age, he is still living in the enjoyment of tolerable health at
Southtown, and frequently visits Yarmouth.

Those who have caught a glimpse of " The Royal
Favourite" are of opinion that this bold and brilliant novel
ought to have been dedicated to the Royal Yacht Club. Mrs.
Gore hat done a better tning, perhaps, in dedicating it to her
steady patrons—the public. We have been offered a key, or
rather aclue to the plot. We confess we have a weakness for
finding our own way through the labyrinths of a fashionable
novel—more especially when, as in the present instance, the
principal characters are so boldly drawn, and so notorious, as
to renchr all exposition, save that of the author, superfluous.
BOROUGH AND WATCH RATER—An _,et was
passed on the Bth ult. for the better collecting borough and
watch rates. By the Munlcal Corporations Act, authority was
given to the councils of boroughs in certain cases to levy
borough rates, and also watch rates ; but it seems that the
powers given have been found insufficient for the purpose. It
is now provided that overseers for parts of parishes and places
within boroughs may raise district rates, which are to be allowed
and published. There is authority given to recover the rates so
made, and persons on account of their poverty may be excused
from payment.
ILLNESS or THE BISHOP OF ST. ASAPIL—The
answer to inquiries in Portland-place, yesterday morning, was
that his Lordship was net worse, but remained much in the
same state as on Wednesday. The Right Reverend Prelate,
we regret to hear, is labouring under an attack of erysipelas,
but no immediate danger is apprehended.
MELANCHOLY EVENT.—On Monday, the 18th inst.
about 1 o'clock, as the Hon. Granville Knox, accompanied by
his friend Mr. Bryant, who are pupils of the Rev. B. S. Val-
lack, of St. Bucl?au, were bathing immediately under the
little cottage on the Devonshire side of Saltash passage, the
former, while walking into the water, lost his footing, owing
to the sudden shelving of the bank, and got beyond his depth.
Mr. Bryant rushed to his assistance, and held him up for some
time by grasping hold of the hair of his head, but Mr. Knox
having suddenly caught hold of and clung to Mr. Bryant so
closely as to endanger his safety, he was obliged to leave the
unfortunate young gentleman, who sank immediately. Mr.
Bryant gave an alarm, and a Waterman wko was near the spot,
groped with his paddle to find the body, but could not discover
It; and though persevering exertions were made by the salt-
as!a men, they were unsuccessful until the next day, when it
was found accidentally at low water, on an oyster bank, about
three-quarters of a mile from the spot of the melancholy
casualty. The young gentleman, who was a son of Lord
It 'sandy, was between 15 and 16 years of age, and was much
beloved for his amiable disposition. He had only just returned
from visiting his friends.
THE SPITALFIELDS WEAVERS.—THE SILK ACT.—
La,t night, at eight o'clock, a crowded meeting of the board
of silk hand-loom weavers of Spitalfieles and its vicinity was
held in the Hare-street School-room, for the purpose of hear-
ing the report of the deputation apps' to watch the pro-
gress of, and to introduce additional /raises into, a Bill first
brought into the House of Lords by Lord Lilford relating to
silk weavers, and which Bill has now become the law of tha
land, the Act having made further regulations respecting the
ticket of work to be delivered to the weavers; Mr. Vendome,
in the chair. Mr. Stewart, the secretary of the union, com-
municated the steps taken by the deputation by waiting on
Lord Lilford and other Members of Parliament, in order to
obtain the passing of the Bill, which he observed would be of
the greatest advantage to the weavers. The report was unani-
mously received and adopted.
HYDROPHOBIA.--A letter from Rochelle states that
a respectable inhabitant of the town, Mme. Henri, the owner
of an inn in the faubourg St. Eloi, has just died of hydrophobia.
The dog, which some time back had bitten the Custom. house
oiseer whose death has been mentioned in the Messager, was
in the habit of going into Mme. Henri s house, and playing
with the flats. One of the latter, two months ago, bit her mis-
t.-ess slightly in the hand, but the scar soon healed up. By
chance, a few days ago, a person happened to speak before her
of !he C..ustom-bouse officer's death, and at once Mme. Henri
was taken ill. it was found necessary to take her to bed, and
soon after she became so violent that a straight-waistcoat was
found requisite. She died op the 15th inst. in great agony.—
French Paper.