The Sun.
London, England, 1845-10-17 00:00:00

845.

CRUEL TREATMENT OF. - IL
MAJESTY'S SHIPS.
Roused by the numerous accounts we have received;
the different dockyards and ports, of the inhuman cola
of the Surveyor of the Navy and his myrmidons tow
his offspring, and generally to the unfortunate vessels pl.
under his care, and despairing of any results from of
inquiry, we dispatched our own Commissioner to invests
the facts of the ease—and have much pleasure in subjol
his first report, which will, we doubt not, excite milvt
indignation against those who have thus shockingly ale
our gallant defendere.
The Victoria and Albert examined---" Was built at Pc
mouth. Is about two years old. Knows Sir Ro
Symonds. Has good reasons to know him. Was treated
kindness at first, and handsomely dressed. had as rr
as three coats of paint, besides gilding. Was ordered
of harbour last year, when unfit to move. Teld them
was unfit; but was hauled out of dock by force. Resi
as well as she could, and nearly went aground in the 1
hour. Was made to move on. Moving caused her g
pain; violent wrenchings in all her joints, and a sense
of weakness in the boiler. Doesn't think she'll ever
over her first attack. The Surveyor said it was ail si
and humbug; that she could go if she liked; and that, n
didn't, he would trim her. Looked upon that as a the
Was always ill-treated from that time; has had her eng
taken out and put in again ; but experienced no relief.
anything, felt worse after it than b:thre. Had a shortne
steam,s which compelled her to stop every two or three h
niu the habit of rolling about, as if drunk couh
help it; it is-as from weakness. All she asks is to be ails
to fall to pieces quietly, as she knows she is past the deg
Feels as it she is going faet—except when at sea."
The poor creature's feeble movements and evident suffe
from the various operations she has been subjected to a
painfully apparent while she was under examination. At
conclusion eic wheezed out of court with difficulty; am-
Commissioner has since heard that she is laid up from am here, as, indeed, she always is, after the slightest exertion.
The .`i anguard exanuued—" Was built at Pembroke •
ten years ( hi. -!Al a ays heard Sir Robert Symonds we fa;her. Has been in the Mediterranean. Went as we
she could. , Had not her full allowance of provisions. (
plained, but was told it Was to make her iniire active."
very much the worse for that trip. The weather was '
but always suffered at sea, whether smooth or not. Is
she never Went ten knots an hour; whoever says so,
what isn't true; couldn't do it. When made to go fast,
as if her back was broke. Has refused to obey her I
Thought she had a right to do so—feeling very un-
W hen she refused to obey he • helm she was throwr
the trough. It was the steersman did it. Hurt Ii
very much. Was made to go to sea in July last, wits
Superb, the Cauea-zue, and sonic others. Was kept •
short of provisions, because the was always behind
rest. Was abused ;Or swimming deep. Found it very
to keep her heed above water at all. Hopes she m
soon be sent to sea again. Feels that if she is
to go out in bad weather, she'll soon break up--
doesn't care how scion it ie. Has had her head
two or three times. but feels as heavy as ever. Ilas 1
them talk about trimming her. Tried to go ashore on(
twice, but wasn't allowed. Any ship would have tried t
ashore that had been heated as she had. Wishes there -
a war—perhaps she'd be put out of her misery."
The poor creature was so unfit for work, she could he
stand upright under the slightest. canvas; and the wax
laboured and strained, while under examination, was
fectly dreadful.
The Superb examined-_" Was built at Pembroke, in I
Was fitted out in 1843. Wouldn't take her stores on be .
refused to do so bccause she couldn't carry 'ern. Is
quick in her movements, and was generally unable to i ' •
up with her companions. Has sustained a severe sr
when last out, and feels she ought to be laid up—but beli
they intend getting more work out of her. Doesn't I .
how she's to do it. Her frame is weak, and she feels 1
gether unsound. Has often wished to be cast away outiS
Couldn't well be a greater wreck than she is at present."
A greater contrast could not well be imagined than l*
afforded by the miserable trio just mentioned, and a halt
lady, named the Canopus, who was in Court during the '
vestigation, a fine specimen: of French health and agil
though she dates from the last century. She has been
eustomed to travel in company with Vanguard and Sup
and outstrips invariably her youthful but yet decrepid et
panions, while the style in which she stows away- her r.
visions and water excites the wonder and admiration of
who have seen her. This she owes to her strength of c 1
stitution, and. the judicious treatment she received while •
the cradle.

We trust the Parliament in this country will take so
steps to protect our wooden walls from the dreadful treatm,
of which the above examination bat imperfectly discloses
appalling particulars.—Punch.

UNIVERSITY INTELLIGENCE.