Washington telegraph., 1854-04-26
Departure of the Baltic Fleet---A Splendid
Scene

occasion of the departure of the first division o.
the English fleet. under Sir CHAs. NAPIER for the
| Baltic. 1t was witnessed by Queen vIcroRiA
Prince ALBERT, and the other members of the
Royal Family, as well as by many thousands o
her MaJesty's subjects. The following interest
Ing account of Queen Victorias review of the
fleet taken from the London Times of the 18th
! ultimo: N
by the time noon was passed. those who were
aware of her Majesty's punctuality, and who Tn.
derstood that she wolld visit the fleet at midday
began to entertain serious misgivings that the
Queen would not come, and that the feet would
not sail. The steamers, loaded to the waters
edge, went through the feet afording the visit
ors ample opportunity to admire the majestic pro-
portions. the formidable armament the swarms
of armed men on deck, and all the stern reality
oi war, as contrasted with the pageant that took
place IN these waters the previous year. but while
they were admlrlng the grim repose and massive
size and tremendous power of those engines of
modern warfare. light cloud of smoke is seen in
the distance, and soon the practiced eyes of the
lookout men recognize the Royal Squadron from
Osborne. A signal is up to the mast head of
the flag snip, and a royal salute of twenty-one
guns Is Numbered forth from every one OF the
men-of-war, all other sounds being lost in the
roar OF the artillery, and the feet ard attendant
steamers being enveloped in thick cloud of
smoke. When the cloud had cleared off The lit
tie Fairy, with its royal freight was seen rapidly
cutting through the water and approaching the
flagship. At her fore she carried the Admiralty
flag the First Lord. Sir James Graham. being on
board, at her main the royal standard. and at her
mizen the union jack. She was followed by the
Elm, the Tire Queen, and the Black Eagle steam
ers which latter had distinguished party on
board, and she neared the feet the
yards were manned, and loud and enthusiastic
cheering broke forth from the seamen. The FAIRY
then run to ward of the feet and hove to- al
%boH D,,1-o lnl
guard of honor ready, and the side stairs covered
with scarlet cloth, in expectation that her Majes-
ty would honor the Admiral with visit
A signal was then made for the admrals and
captains to come on board the Fairy and the
barges and gigs of the men-of-war were quickly
manned, that of Sir Charles Napier taking the
lead with the Admiral in the stern sheets. The
various steamers and pleasure boats had by this
time neared the royal yacht, forming dense cir
Gle round her, the .4trato, from Southampton,
towering above all the others like man-of- war;
Her Majesty might now be seen on deck. with
her family and attendants to receive the officers
of the fleet. Sir Charles Napier was presented
by Sir James Graham, and received what we
presume to be, few words of compliment and
encouragement if we may Judge by the many
obeisances. and the smile of satisfaction on the
veterans face. Rear Admiral Cory and Rear
Admiral Chads, with their captains were then
presented, and as the barges moved off. Others
from the more remote ships came alongside, until
all the captains had the honor in turn of being
presented to the Queen. Sir Charles Napier and
his brother officers were loudly cheered by the
company on board the steamers in their progress
to and from the royal yacht, and it is needless to
say the reception of her Majesty enthusiastic,
the little Fairy with its rich gliding and brilliant
cooring resembling a light and beautiful butter
fly as it sported over the waves. and forming the
chief object of attraction wherever it moved.
~ brad
admirafs ship for the fleet to get under weigh,
and now the excitement was at its height. The
manGuvre was beautifully executed. The lead
ing ship of the leeward line the first to send
her men aoft. the top-sails and top-gallant sails
were let fall from all three yards simultaneously,
and in minute or two she was covered with
cloud of canvass. As as the sails were shee-
ted home the head-sails were set and she began
to feel the breeze, under the influence of which
she gradually swung round, and was soon under
weigh, proceeding at moderate speed towards
the Nab Light. The other vessels of the eeward
line followed in succession, the interval between
each being bout quarter OF mile, and after two
OF three had thus got under weigh. the Fairy and
her attendant steamers made rapid sweep round
the fleet TO windward, and took up her station a
little in advance OF the leading ship, plotting the
fleet, as it We're, on their way to fame and glory.
! The movement was very skilfllly accomplished,
and the effect was extremely fine producing, if
possible additional enthusiasm and excitement in
| the minds of the many thousands who witnessed
it, and never did the Queen of England assume a
position which so well became her as the mistress
of the seas as when she this day led the way for
her gallant and well appointed feet. The first
ship under weigh was the Tribune, 30 guns, Cap
tain Carnegie: she was followed by the 81. Jean
f.Acre, 1O1 guns Hon. Capt. Keppel. one of the
largest and finest two-deckers a1oat she is longer
| than the Duke of Wellington and is acknowledged
/ nj hp fbn
in common with all the larger men -of-w war she
| carries ten inch gun for hollow shot or shells
a new and formidable piece of artillery on ship
board. the deadly execution of which we may soon
} have to record. The hgiperieuSe 81 guns Captain
| Watson, was the third ship under weigh and after
{! her came the .4ntohion, 81 guns, Capt Key; the
! Blenteim, so gnns, Capt. Pelham; the Princess
! Royal, 81 guns. Capt Paget the Edinburgh, 60
| guns with the flag of Rear Admiral Chads: the
.4rrogant, 47 guns, Capt Yelverton; the Hogue, go
/ guns, Capt. Ramsey; the .4jar. IS guns, Capt
! Warden, the ROYAL George, 100 guns, Capt Cod
rington, which vas rather longer than the others
| getting under weigh, and carried away her fore
top gallant sheet closely followed by the Duke of
| Wellington, l3l guns. The whole OF these twelve
| ships are screws, but none of them were under
! steam the wind being favorable, and the object
being to economise fuel. The line of-battle-ships
| We're followed by three paddle steamers, and will
| be Joined off the Downs by the Cressg, so guns.
| and some other vessels. These formed the first
division of the Baltic fleet, and the only vessels
now laying at the anchorage at Spithead are the
| Neptune, 100 guns, the Prince ReseH, so guns,
! the BoscGtce7. 70 guns, the Bull Dog. guns, and
/ the Frolir. The quickness with which the men
of the different ships swarmed up into the tops
and spread themselves out upon the yards when
the order was given TO sail, was the admiration
of the old sailors looking on who augured favor
ably from the manner in which they set about
! their work The Queen proceeded as far as the
! Nab Light, ard then returned to Osborne. being
enthusiastically cheered she passed the ships in
succession. After making good offing the ships
will stand up the channel, and it is anticipated
they will reach the Baltic in three or four days
| The last of the ships had left her moorings at a
quarter-past three O'Clock and the vast crowds
which, afloat and ashore, had been all day watch