The Sun.
London, England, 1845-06-10 00:00:00

THE ARCTIC EXPEDITION.

The screw-propeller steam-sloop Rattler, Commander G. W.
Smith, commtlnding pro tern., arrived at Sheerness yesterday, at
11 h. 30m. o'clock from the Orkney Islands, after having towed the
Erebus, Captain Sir John Franklin, and the Terror, Captain Cro-
zier, to Cape Wrath, and thence to the islands Barra and Rona,
situated sixty miles N. W. of the Orkne}s, where the ships com-
posing the Arctic expedition took their final departure about noon,
on the 4th inst., under the auspices of as favourable a breeze as
could be well desired to waft them towards the icy region they
have been sent to explore. At parting a most exhilirating scene
occurred, which will doubtless remain in the memory of all
that had the gratification of participating in the farewell
cheer to the brave fellows that have volunteered in so lau-
dable and perilous a service. At this time the Erebus and
Terror, and Baretto Junior, transport, were hove to, roll-
ing heavily from the violent swell that the recent gales had pro-
duced; a signal flying from the mast-head of the Embus indicated
Sir John Franklin's order for all captains to proceed on board to
receive their final instructions ; this order having been completed,
their return to their respective ships was the time chosen for man-
ning the rigging of the two steamers in attendance. At the sound
of the boatswain's pipe, the shrouds of the Rattler and Blazer
were in one instant lined by their crews, all anxious to outvie
each other in the pleasing task they were about to perform. The
word was given and three cheers, loud and hearty as ever escaped
the lungs of British tars, saluted the ears of Sir John Franklin and
his gallant colleagues; the crews of the discovery ships manned
their rigging, and with their respective commanders and officers on
the quarter-deck, returned the compliment. In reply to an ap-
propriate address from Mr. Robertson, first lieutenart of the
Rattler, on behalf of his brother officers, the commander of the
squadron expressed his acknowledgments for the com-
pliment, and observed that he had hitherto had but
few opportunities of witnessing the screw-propeller in
practical operation ; but from the expeditious manner in
which the squadron had been conducted thus far towards its desti-
nation, his anticipations of success were most materially strength.
ened by its application to the ships under his command ; and in
expressing this opinion he felt much pleasure in congratulating Mr.
F. P. Smith on the complete success of his invention. The Erebus
and Terror were on several occasions both taken in tow at one
time by the Rattler, and in calm weather a speed of 6.1 knots was
shown by Massey's log on board each ship. With a strong breeze
ahead, And considerable sea, the rate was never less than four
knots ; but the greatest feat that the screw has yet performed in
exhibiting its capabilities for tugging purposes was that of towing
both vessels (whose combined tonnage is nearly 7do tons) through
the Firth of Pent'and, and thence to Cape Wrath, which was
rendered more difficult by the swell then setting in from the
Western Ocean, and the consequent breaking of nine. inch hawsers,
which were used ; at times even two of these immense ropes .vere
insufficient to hold the Erebus and her consort, and the skill
evinced by Captain Smith and the officers of the Rattler in re-
attaching the parted ships under such adverse circumstances, justly
merits the high compliment paid to them by Sir John Franklin.

The Blazer, Capt. Owen Stanley, had assigned to her charge
the Barretto transport, and succeeded in towing that vessel
through the Firth in good style, considering the roughness of the
weather, which evidently had a much greater effect on her paddle-
wheels than on the screw of the Rattler, which was remarked by
her holding much better way with that vessel in comparison when
the water was smooth. Prior to the arrival of the Blazer, the
Rattler had on several occasions to fetch up the transport, in order
that she might not part company with the rest of the squadron. In
performing this service her rate in smooth water was seven knots
exactly, and with a fresh wind a-head not less than five knots.
These results, combined with the fact of the Rattler having during
her late trip steamed upwards of 2,000 miles without the slightest
derangement to her machinery, cannot fail to confirm the confi-
dence that is daily increasing in this mode of propulsion.
The next news that may be expected from the discovery, will be
by the transport, which leaves them at the edge of the ice.

_
In running from Flamborough Head to Sheerness, A distance of
200 miles, the Rattler accomplished it in 21 hours.—Herald.

ASCOT RACES.

(ThIS DAY-B Y EXPRESS.)

The Trial Stakes of 5 soya. esch, with 50 added, for two
yrs old, 4st 41b ; three yrs, 7st 41b ; four yrs, Bst 71b;
five yrs, 9st; six yrs and aged, 9st 31b. The new
mile.
Mr. Hill's The Libel 1
Lord Chesterfield's Knight of the Whistle 2
Mr. Day's The Hero
The Ascot Derby Stakes of 5 sovs. each, h ft, for three
yrs old colts, Bst 71b ; and fillies, Bst 31b. Swinley
Course.
Lord Exeter's Wood Pigeon
Lord Stradbroke's Idas
Mr. Hill's Salopian

,Her Majesty, Prince Albert, accompanied by the Duke
de Nemours and a small suite, arrived shortly be fore the
first race.