Washington sentinel., 1854-04-01

Sir Charles Napier was presented by Sr 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, we're then presented, and
as the barges moved off others from the more
remote ships came alongside, until all the cap.
tains 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 pro-
gress to and from the royal yacht and it is
needless to say the reception of her majesty
was enthusiastic; the little Fairy, with its rich
gliding and brilliant coloring, resembling q
light and beautiful butterfly as it sported over
the waves, and forming the chief object of at
traction wherever it moved. At two o'clock a
signal gun was fred from the admirals ship
for the fleet to get under way, and now the
excitement was at its height. The manGuvre
was beautifully executed. The leading ship of
the leeward line was the first to send her men
aoft, the top-sails and top-gallantsails we're let
fall from all three yards simultaneously, and in
a minute or two she was covered with cloud
cf canvass. As soon as the sails were sheeted
home, the headsails were set, and she began
to feel the breeze, under the influence of which
she gradually swung round, and was soon un.
der way, proceeding at q moderate speed to-
wards the Nab light The other vessels of the
leeward line followed in succession, the inter-
val between each being about q quarter Of a
mile, and after two or three had thus got under
way, the Fairy and her attendant steamers
made rapid sweep ronnd the fleet to wind
ward, and took up her station little in ad-
vance of the leading ship, plotting the feet as
it were, on their way to fame and glory.
The movement was very skfllfully accom-
plished, and the effect was extremely fine, pro-
ducing, if possible, additional enthusiasm and
excitement in the minds of the many thousands
who witnessed it and never did the Queen of
England assume aposition which so we'll became
her as the mistress of the seas as when she this
day led the way for her gallant and we'll APP
appointed fleet. The first ship under way
was the Tribune, 80 guns, Captain Carnegie.
She was followed by the st. Jean d'Acre, lOl
guns, Hon. Captain Keppel, one of the largest
andGnest two-deckers ahoat She is longer than
the Duke of Wellington, and is acknowledged
to be one of the most powerful vessels in the
feet. In common with all the larger men-of.
war she carries a ten-inch gun, for hollow shot
or shells-a new and formidable piece Of artile-
ry on ship-board, the deadly execution of which
we may soon have to record. The Imperieuse,
81 guns, Captain Watson, was the third ship
under way, and after her came the Amphitrion,
"a guns, Captain Key the Blenheim. 60 guns,
Captain Pelham; the Princess Royal, 81
guns, Captain Paget; the Edinburg, 60 guns,
with the flag of Rear-Admiral Chads; the
Arrogant, Al guns, Captain Yelverton; the
Hogue, 60 guns, Captain Ramsey; the Ajax,
SO guns, Captain Warden; the Royal George,
100 guns, Captain Codrington, which was
rather longer than the others getting under
way, and carried away her fore-top- gallant
sheet closely followed by the Duke of yelling
ton, l3l. The whole of these twelve ships are
screws, but none of them were under steam,
the wind being favorable, and the object being
to economic fuel. The line-ofbatte ships
were followed by three paddle-steamers, and
will be joined off the Downs by the Cressy, SO
guns, and some other vessels These form the
first division Of the Baltic feet, and the only
vessel now remaining at the anchorage at Spit
head are the Neptune, l20 guns, the Prince
Regent, 80 guns, the Boscawen, 10 guns, the
Bull Dog, guns, and the Frolic. The quick.
ness with which the men of the different ships
swarned up into the tops and spread them
selves out upon the yards, when the order was
given to sail, was the admiration Of the old
sailors looking on, who augured favorably from
the manner in which they set about their work
The queen proceeded as far as the Nab Light
and then returned to Osborne, being enthusias
tically cheered as she passed the ships in sue
cession.
After making good ofing, the fleet vii
stand up 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 quarter past three o'clock, and the vast
crowds, which, afoat and ashore, had been all
day watching the exciting spectacle, had grad
ually dispersed.
THE 7 Affect