HMS Blenheim

HMS Blenheim (1813)

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Name

Blenheim (1813)

Explanation

Type

Third rate

Type

Blockship

Launched (Sail)

31 May 1813

Converted to screw

27 October 1847

Hull

Wooden

Length

181 feet

Propulsion

Sail

Men

600

Builders measure

1747 tons

Builders measure (as screw)

1822 tons

Displacement

Displacement (as screw)

2790 tons

Guns

Guns (as screw)

Fate

1865

Last in commission

1865

Class

Armada

Class (as screw)

Blenheim

Ships book

ADM 135/50

Snippets concerning career prior to conversion

Date

Event

31 May 1813

Launched as 3rd rate sailing ship at Deptford Dockyard.

9 April 1839
- 14 June 1841

Commanded by Captain Humphry Fleming Senhouse (Portsmouth), East Indies (including the first Anglo-Chinese war), until he died

14 June 1841
- 28 March 1843

Commanded (until paying off) by Captain Thomas Herbert, East Indies (including the first Anglo-Chinese war)

October 1843

Out of commission at Sheerness

Career as unarmoured wooden screw vessel

Date

Event

27 October 1847

Completed as screw at Money Wigram & Sons, Blackwall.

1 December 1847
- 23 January 1848

Commanded (from commissioning at Portsmouth) by Captain Richard Augustus Yates, guard ship, Portsmouth

25 January 1848
- 13 February 1850

Commanded by Captain Horatio Thomas Austin, guard ship, Portsmouth

13 February 1850
- 25 August 1853

Commanded by Captain William Honeyman Henderson, guard ship, Portsmouth

14 August 1853
- 18 November 1854

Commanded by Captain Frederick Thomas Pelham, guard ship, Portsmouth, then in the Baltic during the Russian War

18 November 1854
- 4 June 1856

Commanded (until paying off at Portsmouth) by Captain William Hutcheon Hall, the Baltic during the Russian War

5 December 1854
- 9 January 1855

Commanded by Captain Arthur Auckland Leopold Pedro Cochrane, guard ship, Portsmouth

5 June 1856
- 21 November 1857

Commanded by Captain Frederick Thomas Pelham, guard ship, Portsmouth (replaced by Hannibal)

1 February 1858
- 11 June 1860

Commanded by Captain Francis Scott, Coast Guard, Portland (replaced by Colossus)

12 June 1860
- 6 April 1861

Commanded by Captain Edward Tatham, Coast Guard, Pembroke

1 April 1861
- 4 April 1864

Commanded by Captain Lord Frederick Herbert Kerr, Coast Guard, Pembroke

1 April 1864
- 1 September 1865

Commanded by Captain Thomas Henry Mason, Coast Guard, Pembroke (replaced by Revenge)

1865

Broken up.

Extracts from the Times newspaper

Date

Extract

(various)

this gets replaced

Sa 13 September 1845

11 September 1845

The Blenheim, 72, was towed down from Sandgate-creek on Friday, and hauled into dock at Sheerness on Saturday, to be fitted as a block ship with screw-propeller. The Horatio, 44, is the other vessel selected for this port. La Hogue, 74, and Eurotas, 44 for Chatham.

Sa 4 October 1845

2 October 1845

The Blenheim, 74, intended for the block ship at Sheerness, and now in dock there, has not yet been taken in hand, the plans for the conversion being not yet thoroughly matured.

Th 23 October 1845

21 October 1845

The Blenheim, 74, is to go to Blackwall to be fitted for the screw-propeller.

Th 30 October 1845

28 October 1845

The Blenheim, 74, has her copper stripped off, and is having her poop and interior fittings removed, previous to being towed to the yard of Messrs. Wigram, who have taken the contract for the conversion of this vessel and the La Hogue,74, (at Chatham) into steam guard-ships.

Ma 3 November 1845

31 October 1845

The Blenheim, 74, will be undocked to-morrow at Sheerness, and towed to Blackwall on Monday, to be fitted as a steam guard-ship.

Sa 8 November 1845

4 November 1845

The Blenheim, 74, was hauled out of dock at Sheerness, and when the Messrs. Wigram have a dock ready for her at their establishment at Balckwall, she will be towed there to be fitted as a steam guard-ship.

Tu 18 November 1845

17 November 1845

The Blenheim was towed from the Medway to Blackwall on Thursday, and the Hogue on Saturday (both 72-gun ships), to be fitted as block-ships at Messrs. Wigram and Green's

Ma 5 October 1846

4 October 1846

The Blenheim, 72 guns, fitting as a block ship, will have her machinery, constructed by Messrs, Seaward and Capel, put on board to-morrow in the East India Dock, where she is at present. She will be taken out of the dock on the following day (Tuesday), and towed to Wigram and Co's, establishment, to be fitted with her screw propeller, and have the other necessary alterations completed.

Sa 8 December 1849

Portsmouth, Dec. 6.

In Port and Fitting

In the Harbour. - The Victory and Illustrious flag-ships, the Excellent gunnery ship; the Blenheim steam-guard-ship; the Eurydice, stripping to pay off; the Contest, fitting out; the Rolla apprentices' brig, laying up for the winter; the Fairy and Elfin, and Portsmouth yachts; the Flamer packet from Holyhead, and the Echo tug.
In Dock. - The Britannia, 120; the Dauntless, 24; the Fantome, 16; the Lily, 16; the Fox, 42; the Devastation, and the Birkenhead steam frigates.
In the Basin. - The Princess Charlotte, 104; the Actaeon, 26; and the Sprightly and the Bee steam-vessels.
In the Steam Basin, - The Ajax, 60; the Penelope, 22; the Sidon, 26; the Victoria and Albert royal yacht; the Urgent , the Pike, the Asp, and the Blazer.
Building. - The Royal Frederick, 120 [subsequently cancelled and later completed as Frederick William]; the Prince of Wales, 120; the Princess Royal, 90; the Argus, and the Furious steam sloops.

Sa 9 March 1850

Portsmouth, Friday.

In Port and Fitting

In Harbour. - The Victory, Illustrious, Blenheim, Excellent, Rolla, Fairy, Fanny, and Echo.
In Dock. - The St Vincent, Winchester, Fox, Fantome, and Penelope.
In the Basin. - The Lily.
In the Steam-Basin. - The Blazer, Birkenhead, Pike, Asp, Flamer, Comet, Elfin, Victoria and Albert, Hecate, and Termagant.

Sa 20 April 1850

In Harbour. - The Victory, Excellent, Illustrious, Blenheim, Fanny, and Portsmouth tenders, the Echo tug, and the Locust steam-vessel.
In Dock. - The St Vincent, Winchester, Fox, Penelope, Rapid, and Electra.
In the Basin. - The Niger, Devastation, Fantome, Griffon, and Fairy.
In the Steam Basin. - Termagant, Hecate, Victoria and Albert, Bulldog, Blazer, Flamer, Pike, Asp, and Elfin.

We 5 January 1853

The steam squadron of reserve, under the superintendence of Captain W.H. Henderson, C.B., of the Blenheim, 60, since the commissioning of the Sidon, Odin, Furious, and Medea, has been reduced to four vessels — viz., the Leopard, 12, 560-horse power; Vesuvius, 6, 280-horse power; Bulldog, 6, 500 horse-power; and the Stromboli, 6, 280-horse power; all paddle vessels. The Hecla, 6, will shortly join them, having been masted ready for rigging.

Ma 6 March 1854

PORTSMOUTH, March 5.

The victualling of the ships at Spithead for six months foreign service was completed yesterday. There are now at this rendezvous to-day the following ships, the complements of which we give, as nearly as we can arrive at them without consulting the ships' books:—

	Guns.	Tons.	Crew.	Horse- power.
Princess Royal, Captain Lord Clarence Paget, flag of Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Napier, K.C.B., &c.	91	3,129	880	400
Prince Regent, Captain Hutton, flag of Rear-Admiral Corry.	90	2,513	821	—
Edinburgh, Captain Hewlett, flag of Rear-Admiral Chads. C.B.	56	1,772	660	450
Royal George, Captain Codrington, C.B.	121	2,616	1,100	400
St. Jean d'Acre, Captain the Hon. Henry Keppel.	101	3,600	900	650
Boscawen, Captain Glanville.	70	2,212	620	—
Hogue, Captain W. Ramsay.	60	1.750	660	450
Impérieuse, Captain Watson, C.B.	51	2,347	530	360
Arrogant, Captain Yelverton.	47	1,872	450	360
Amphion. Captain A.C. Key.	34	1.474	320	300
Tribune, Captain the Hon. S.T. Carnegie.	30	1,570	200	300
Dauntless, Captain Ryder.	33	1,490	300	580
Leopard, Captain Giffard.	18	1,412	280	550
Valorous, Captain C.H.M. Buckle.	16	1,255	220	400
Dragon, Captain Willcox.	6	1,270	200	500
Bulldog, Captain W.C. Hall.	6	1,123	160	500
Frolic, Commander Nolloth.	16	511	120	—

They have each been ordered (this day) to draw charts for the Baltic.
Every day will add to this force, which will eventually include the three-deckers, Duke of Wellington, 131; St. George, 120; Waterloo, 120; Neptune, 120; Caesar, 91; Nile, 91; James Watt, 91; Algiers, 91; Monarch, 84; Ganges, 84; Cressy, 81; Majestic, 81; Blenheim, 60; Ajax, 60; Euryalus, 51 ; Fox, 42; Pique, 40; and numerous others. Sir Charles Napier will, we believe, command personally 20 sail of the line, and 10 sail of French. There will be about 50 sail of smaller ships, which will be apportioned to the English and French Rear-Admirals and Commodore Martin, and it is reported a squadron of sailing-sloops or brigs is to be commissioned to cruise off the Scotch coast to prevent privateering. Rear-Admiral Corry will shift his flag to-morrow from the Prince Regent, 90, to the Neptune, 120, an order having been received yesterday, appointing Captain Hutton to the Neptune, and Captain Smith, C.B., from the Neptune, to the Prince Regent. Captain Hutton takes with him Commander Bunce, Lieutenant Brandreth, and 50 of the Prince Regent's crew. When the change of officers and ships was made known on board the Prince Regent yesterday, the whole ship's company, who really love their admiral and captain, and are devotedly attached to their matchless ship, wanted to follow the admiral, as one man, into the Neptune, and when told that only 50 would be allowed to be draughted by the Admiralty, their countenances betokened the sincerest dejection. Subsequently all the petty officers went aft on the quarter deck and respectfully requested that the Admiralty might be memorialised for their removal with their admiral and captain. The Neptune will be some time getting ready. She has lower yards and topmasts up and topgallant masts pointed, but has only 150 men on her books besides her draught of Royal Marines. We expect, therefore, that Rear-Admiral Chads will be the first despatched with a "flying squadron" of frigates towards the Baltic, that Sir Charles Napier will follow, and that Rear-Admiral Corry will bring up the rear. Captain Hay, of the Victory, has declined the flag-captaincy to Sir Charles Napier. The Prince Regent, the St. Jean d’Acre, the Amphion and the Odin were paid wages down to the 31st of January yesterday. The Impérieuse, Tribune, and Valorous will be paid to-morrow, leaving only the Arrogant (whose pay books have not yet been landed) of Admiral Corry's division to be paid. The Blenheim, 60, Captain the Hon, F.J. Pelham, has readjusted her compasses and will be ready to join the fleet to morrow. The Caesar, 91, Captain Robb, is rattling down her rigging. The Odin, 16, Captain F. Scott, is repairing boilers in the steam-basin. The fleet are daily exercised in gunnery, reefing, furling, &c. Mr. Parratt, of the Treasury, brought down last night from London a small tubular collapsing boat, upon the principle of his admirable liferaft, which he has this day taken off to the St. Jean d'Acre, for the Hon. H. Keppell. The 23d, 42d, and 79th Regiments are preparing for active service. The two latter corps will be augmented by volunteers from the 72d and 79th depots, 31 volunteers from the 11th Foot, 32 from the 65th, and 62 from the 35th embarked from this dockyard at 6 o'clock this morning, in the Foyle, British and Irish Steam-pocket Company's vessel, to join the 1st battalion of the Royals, at Plymouth. The Foyle embarks the 93d depôt at Plymouth, to-morrow, for the Isle of Wight. The depôt of the 2d battalion of the Rifle Brigade will be conveyed to the Isle of Wight to-morrow in Her Majesty's steam-tender Sprightly.
The Cruiser, 14, Commander G.H. Douglas, will join the Baltic fleet.

Ma 26 February 1855

As far as can be ascertained at present, the fleet about to be despatched to the Baltic will be thus composed:—
Commander-in-Chief.— Rear-Admiral of the Blue, the Hon. Richard Saundars Dundas, C.B.
Second in Command.— Rear-Admiralof the Blue, Michael Seymour.
Third in Command.— Rear-Admiral of the Blue, Robert Lambert Baynes, C.B.
Captain of the Fleet.— The Hon. F.T. Pelham.

	Guns	Horse-power
Duke of Wellington (flag)	131	700
Royal George, Captain Codrington, C.B.	102	400
Exmouth (flag)	91	400
James Watt, Captain Georce Elliot	91	600
Orion, Captain Erskine	91	600
Caesar, Captain Robb	91	400
Nile, Captain Mundy	91	500
Majestic, Captain J. Hope, C.B.	81	400
Cressy, Captain Warren	81	400
Colossus, Captain Robinson	81	400
Sanspareil, Captain Heath	70	350
Blenheim, Captain W.H. Hall	60	450
Hogue, Captain Ramsay	60	450
Ajax, Captain Warden	60	450
Edinburgh, Captain Hewlett	60	450
Russell, Captain Scott	60	200
Hawke, Captain Erasmus Ommanney	60	200
Cornwallis, Captain Wellesley	60	200
Pembroke, Captain G.H. Seymour	60	200
Hastings, Captain Caffin	60	200
Imperieuse, Captain Watson, C.B.	51	360
Euryalus, Captain Ramsay	51	400
Arrogant, Cantain Yelverton	47	360
Amphion, Captain A.C. Key	34	300
Horatio, Captain Cochrane	24	250
Cossack, Captain Fanshawe	21	2ö0
Pylades, Captain D'Eyncourt	21	250
Esk, Captain T.F. Birch	21	250
Tartar, Captain Dunlop	21	250
Archer, Captain Heathcote	17	200
Retribution, Captain Fisher	28	400
Magicienne, Captain Tatham	16	400
Odin, Captain Willcox	16	560
Sampson, Captain Brock	6	467
Dragon, Captain Stewart	6	560
Bulldog, Captain W.K. Hall	6	500
Penelope, Captain Sir W. Wiseman	18	650
Lightning, Captain B.J. Sulivan	3	100
Vulture, Captain Glasse	6	470
Desperate, Commander White	8	400
Conflict, Commander Cumming	8	400
Cruizer Commander the Hon. G. Douglas	14	60
Harier, Commander Story	14	160
Ariel, Commander Luce	9	60
Falcon, Commander Pullen	17	100
Basilisk, Commander the Hon. F. Egerton	6	400
Rosamond, Commander Crofton	6	286
Driver, Commander Rice	6	280
Janus, Lieutenaut Kane	4	220
Locust, Lieutenant -	3	180
Otter, Lientenant W.A.J. Heath	3	120
Porcupine, Lieutenant Jackson	3	132
Zephyr, Lieutenant Bond	3	100
Recruit, Lientenant J.F. Day	4	160
Weser, Lieatenant Commerell	4	160
Vulture, Captain Glasse	6	470

Floating Batteries
Ætna	16	Thunder	16
Glatton	16	Trusty	16
Meteor	16
Mortar Vessels
Blazer	1	Manly	1
Firm	1	Mastiff	1
Hardy	1	Porcupine	1
Havock	1	Surly	1
Steam Gunboats
Gleaner	3	Hind	2
Pelter	3	Jackdaw	2
Pincher	3	Jasper	2
Ruby	3	Jack	2
Teazer	3	Magpie	2
Badger	3	Redwing	2
Snapper	3	Skylark	2
Biter	2	Snap	2
Boxer	2	Starling	2
Clinker	2	Stork	2
Cracker	2	Swinger	2
Dapper	2	Thistle	2
Fancy	2	Weasel	2
Grinder	2	Pigmy	2

The Belleisle, 24, Commander Hosken, hospital ship.
The Æolus, 42, ammunition magazine.
The Perseverance, storeship.
The Volcano, floating engineers' factory, Master-Commander Dyer.
Rear-Admiral Michael Seymour has hoisted his flag (pro tem.) as second in command of the Baltic Fleet on board the Nile, 91, Captain Mundy, at Plymouth. Mr. Dyer, secretary at the Devonport dockyard, goes to sea with Admiral Seymour as secretary.

Th 1 March 1855

The Hastings, 60, Captain Caffin; the Pembroke, 60, Captain Seymour; and the Hogue, 60, Captain Ramsay, screw blockships, fitting at Portsmouth, are hourly approaching completion, and abundance of labour is put upon them to turn them out of hand. The new high-pressure blockships will be more efficient, although of 230-horse power lees than the old ones, and will form (it is confidently expected) the most important and efficacious division of the Baltic fleet. The Blenheim, 60, Captain W.H. Hall, received her mainmast yesterday, and is completing her refit in the old basin at Portsmouth. The Edinburgh, 58, Captain Hewlett, is under repair and refit with the utmost expedition to rejoin the fleet; thus there are five of these screw blockships now at Portsmouth made highly serviceable and powerful war steam two-deckers out of useless old sailing 74’s —the Hastings, Pembroke, Blenheim, Hogue, and Ajax. The Britannia, 120, Captain Carter, will go into Portsmouth harbour today if the fog (yesterday and on Tuesday too dense) will permit, when she will be dismantled and put out of commission, and her crew paid wages, granted leave, and made available for the steam fleet. The Retribution, 28, paddle-wheel frigate, Captain Fisher, is yet under the shipwrights’ hands at Portsmouth, and great progress is making towards refitting her. The Centaur, 6, paddle-frigate, Captain Clifford, is very well advanced in her equipment, and is nearly rigged, with the assistance of the dockyard riggers; all her masts are up, and the rigging nearly fitted. The James Watt, 91, Captain George Elliot, is shipping her spare spars, and will leave the dock for the basin to complete the readjustment of her machinery in a day or two. The Esk, 20, screw corvette, Captain Birch, which has been on a few days’ cruise to prove her capabilities, &c., returned to Spithead on Tuesday, and remains awaiting further orders. The Calcutta, Peninsular and Oriental Steam-Navigation Company’s transport, has not been able to get into Portsmouth harbour with safety to embark the Lancashire Militia, owing to dense fogs. The Æolus, 42-gun frigate, fitted up to serve as a shell and powder depot for the Baltic fleet, will move out of the basin at Portsmouth this day. The Himalaya, Commander Priest, R.N., will embark the remount of cavalry horses she is destined to convey to the seat of war this day at Portsmouth dockyard. By the end of next week there will be at Spithead such an "armada" as that anchorage never before berthed, if the weather should be propitious.
Tho screw steamship Duke of Wellington, 131, Captain George T. Gordon, was taken out of dock at Keyham, Plymouth, on Tuesday.
The paddle-wheel steam-frigate Dragon, 6, Captain James Wilcox, was towed by the steam-vessel Confiance to the Jupiter coal depôt, in Hamoaze, on Monday.
The screw steam corvette Tartar, 20, Captain Hugh Dunlop, is undergoing repair alongside the jetty at Devonport dockyard.
The screw steamship Conflict, 8, Captain Arihur Cumming, was placed in dock at Keyham on Tuesday.
The screw steamship Nile, 91, Captain George R. Mundy, was appointed to go from Hamoaze into Plymouth Sound yesterday, and to sail to-morrow for Spithead.
The crew of the troopship Resistance, 10, Master-Commander Mauser Bradshaw, in Hamoaze, bent sails on Monday. They were paid wages by Admiral Plumridge on Tuesday.
...
Rear-Admiral Michael Seymour shifted his flag at Plymouth on Tuesday from the Nile to the Exmouth.

Fr 16 March 1855

Rear-Admiral Baynes struck his flag on board the Centaur yesterday at Portsmouth, and went on Leave, it is presumed, until his proper flagship is ready. The Esk, 21, Captain Birch, whose leakage was reported yesterday, is ordered into harbour to be docked. The Blenheim, 60, Captain Hall, adjusted her compasses in Portsmouth harbour yesterday, and will be ready to join the fleet at Spithead this day. The Cressy, 81, will have to be docked to remedy her defects. The Falcon, 17, Commander Pullen, returned to Spithead yesterday. The Ruby and Pelter, new screw gunboats, were tested yesterday off Spithead to prove their machinery, &c. Mr. Miller, the chief assistant to the Superintendent Engineer of Portsmouth dockyard, went out on board one of them to make the experiments, after which they returned into harbour. The principal attention of the dockyard departments now seem centred on the James Watt, 91, Hastings, 60, Pembroke, 60, and Retribution, 23. These are being progressed with as fast as possible. The Gorgon, 6, paddlewheel sloop, Commander Crawford, steamed into harbour yesterday to be docked. The Dee steam transport arrived at Portsmouth yesterday with machinery for the new Royal yacht. The Walter Maurice, hired transport, arrived at Spithead yesterday, and will go into Portsmouth harbour to-day to receive a detachment of about 150 men of the 26th Regiment for conveyance to Bermuda. These troops will not embark, in all probability, until early next week, the vessel having sustained some damage on her passage from the Thames, which will require repair. The Cruiser, 15, Commander the Hon. G. Douglas, arrived at Spithead yesterday and joined the fleet.
The screw steamship Exmouth, 90, Captain the Hon. M. [=F.T.] Pelham, and the steam frigate Magicienne, 16, Captain Fisher, left Plymouth Sound yesterday for Portsmouth.

Sa 17 March 1855

We learn by electric telegraph that an advance squadron of the fleet will leave Spithead for the Baltic to-morrow or Sunday, a signal having been made yesterday by the Commander-in-Chief of the following nature:— "Officers of flying squadron on loave to be recalled immediately; ships to be ready for sea by Sunday. — C.B." The ships thus denoted we believe to be the Imperieuse, 51, Captain Watson, C.B. (who will hoist a broad pendant aa commodore of the second class, and command the squadron); the Euryalus, 51, Captain G. Ramsay; the Arrogant, 47, Captain Yelverton; the Dragon, 6, Captain Stewart; the Centaur, 6, Captain Clifford; the Magicienne, 16, Captain Vansittart; the Bulldog, 6, Commander S. Gordon; the Archer, 15, Captain Heathcoate; the Conflict, 8, Commander Cumming; and the Falcon, 14, Commander Pullen. The Amphion, 33, Captain Key; and the Pylades, 21, Captain D’Eyncourt, both at Sheerness, will follow, when ready.
The fleet at Spithead was augmented yesterday by the arrival of the Exmouth, 91, Captain the Hon. F.T. Pelham (captain of the fleet), and the Magicienne, 16, paddle-frigate, Captain Vansittart, from Plymouth, making the following force, which is hourly being increased, at the anchorage:— The Duke of Wellington, Neptune, St. George, Royal George, Exmouth, Nile, Cressy, Majestic, Calcutta, Ajax, Imperieuse, Euryalus, Arrogant, Esk, Magicienne, Archer, Dragon, Bulldog, Falcon, Ariel, &. The Blenheim, 60, Captain Hall, will join to-day, and one or two from Plymouth or Sheerness are expected. The Port-Admiral, Sir Thomas Cochrane, K.C.B., struck his flag on board the Victory yesterday, and went on leave, owing to indisposition. Rear-Admiral Martin is senior officer pro tem.
The Pelter, screw-gunboat, was docked again yesterday to have another screw applied, and some further alterations made in her lee boards to keep her from rolling; this vessel has been on the doctor's list ever since she arrived at Portsmouth. The Ruby, steam-gunboat, is also to be brought into dock to have some alterations made.

Ma 26 March 1855

The fleet at Portsmonth yesterday consisted of the

Duke of Wellington	131	Retribution	28
Neptune	120	Magicienne	16
St. George	120	Odin	16
Royal George	102	Cruiser	16
Caesar	91	Falcon	16
Nile	91	Ariel	9
Exmouth	91	Vulture	6
James Watt	91	Bulldog	6
Calcutta	84	Dragon	6
Cressy	81	Geyser	6
Majestic	81	Driver	6
Hogue	60	Centaur	6
Ajax	60	Basilisk	6
Blenheim	60	Gorgon	6
Edinburgh	58	Lightning	4
Pembroke	60	Pelter	3
Hastings	60	Ruby	3

The Hastings, 60, Captain Caffin, got up her steam again on Saturday, and proceeded out of harbour to test her engines, returning aftre the trial. The Pembroke, 60, Captain Seymour, also got up steam for a similar test, bul did not go out. The Hogue, 60, Captain Ramsay, steamed out of harbour, and joined the fleet, which has been supplied with an enormous quantity of Congreve rockets for boat service, and shot, shell, and powder, at the discretion of each Captain, and not regulated by any before regulated "establishment." Saturday, the 7th proximo, is the day rumoured as that of the departure of this fleet for the Baltic. The Driver, 6, steam sloop left Spithead on Friday night with supernumeraries for the squadron in the Downs, and returned to Spithead yesterday.

Fr 6 April 1855

The ships left at Spithead after the departure of the main body of the Baltic expedition shifted berths yesterday under sail, and formed two lines, as ordered, thus:—

Falcon, 14 (screw)	Neptune, 120
Ariel, 9 (screw)	Calcutta, 84
Cruiser, 16 (screw)	Orion, 91 (screw)
Centaur, 6 (paddle)	St. George, 120
Pylades 21 (screw)	Powerful, 84

The Geyser, 6, paddle, was ordered to take officers and men for the Baltic fleet in the Downs, and left last evening. The Driver, 6, paddle, will leave Spithead to-morrow, and will then also take supernumeraries to join the larger ships. The Falcon returned to Spithead on Wednesday night from the Channel. Rear-Admiral Baynes remains at Portsmouth to take out the third division; but his flagship, the Retribution, will not be out of the hands of the engineer department until the 10th, and then the shipwrights will not have done with her. She remains in the steam basin, with Admiral Baynes's flag at her mizen, and is being proceeded with as fast as possible. The Odin, 16, paddle frigate, is also in the steam basin, having new covers to her cylinders fitted, her old ones not being strong enough to contain the pressure of the additional power of steam generated by her new boilers; she will be refitted in this respect by the 10th. The Ruby, Pelter, and Grinder gunboats are all in the hands of the dockyard artificers; the latter, which came up from Cowes on Monday from the shipbuilding yard of Messrs. Robert White, is in dock, being fitted out for the fleet. The Pelter is having moveable iron plates of a quarter of an inch thickness fitted on to the gunwale, and projecting above the bulwarks about 18 inches, for, the protection of her crew from rifle bullets from without, when in close proximity with the enemy, and also the better to enable those onboard to shield themselves while at rifle firing themselves. This vessel needed some new tubes for her boilers, but those sent to replace the defective ones are said to be four inches too short for her! The Hastings, 60, new screw blockship, went out of harbour yesterday again to make a trial of her steaming properties at the measured mile. She went out with most of her weights on board, and drawing 22 feet. The mean of four runs showed an average speed realized of 6·7 knots — a result far beyond the most sanguine expectations of the scientific on board and ashore; revolution of engines, 78; and pressure of steam in the boilers, 55lb. The inexperience of the stokers alone prevented a better mean speed being realized, and there is little doubt that greater speed will be ultimately obtained. She victuals now 279 out of her intended complement of 600. The Ruby gunboat was undocked yesterday. The Bellerophon, 78, landed her invalids yesterday morning at the dockyard jetty, and they were conveyed to the invalid depôt by railway. The ship is now returning stores, preparatory to being put out of commission. Her officers will be paid off, but the crew will be paid down, and after a fortnight’s leave draughted for service in the Baltic. None of her bulkheads or internal fittings are to be removed.
We learn by electric telegraph from Deal that the Baltic fleet at anchor in the Downs yesterday comprised the following vessels:—The Duke of Wellington, 131, Royal George, 101, Nile, 91, James Watt, 91, Caesar, 91, Exmouth, 91, Majestic, 81, Cressy, 81, Colossus, 81, Hogue, 60, Blenheim, 60, Edinburgh. 60, Vulture, 6, Dragon, 6, Gorgon, 6, Basilisk, 6, Bulldog. 6. The Ajax, 60, was coming in. The weather being very fine visitors were flocking in to Deal by every train.

Sa 7 April 1855

THE BALTIC FLEET.
(From a correspondent afloat)

The Baltic fleet, the most powerful and imposing that ever left the shores of even naval England, sailed from Spithead yesterday in profound silence, contrasting strongly with the sailing of the fleet last spring, when all was gay and promising, and anxious thousands crowded the waters of the Solent from all parts of the kingdom, to give their last adieux and breathe their good wishes for success. Yesterday was lowaring and gloomy; only two gay yachts (one of which, unfortunately, came to grief) braved the uncomfortable weather, and fog shut out from the shores the magnificent spectacle of 13 line-of-battle ships leaving their anchorage under canvass. There was no good Queen there to wish "success,” nor were the waters spotted over with boatloads of well-wishers, but every man in the fleet left with a glowing hope of returning in the autumn deserving of being welcomed with joy and acclimation, and forming another contrast to last year. The fleet got under way at 2 o'clock, and proceeded without any particular order, about six miles to sea when it fell as dead calm, and signal was made to get up steam. By 4 o'clock the fog had cleared away and the sun shone without a cloud in the blue sky to screen his brightness. The ships shortened all sail and proceeded to the eastward in two long lines. The starboard division was formed by the Duke of Wellington (bearing the flag of Admiral Dundas, Commander-in-Chief) leading, and followed in rotation by the Royal George, the Caesar, the Colossus, the Blenheim, and the Edinburgh.
The port division was led by the Exmouth with the flag of Admiral Seymour (second in command) and followed by the Nile, the James Watt, the Majestic, the Hogue and the Ajax. The six paddle steamers, the Dragon, the Bulldog, the Vulture, the Basilisk, the Magicienne, and the Gorgon kept station on either side of the lines. In this order the fleet proceeded up Channel with the moon (nearly at the full) shining brightly, and a gentle breeze, just enough to call a ripple on the water, when, about opposite Brighton, at 10 o’clock, a large merchant ship running under all sail with the wind a little on her starboard quarter, ran foul of the Duke of Wellington, doing some serious damage, carrying away her foreyard, port swinging boom, the whole of the port and part of the main chains, quarter gallery, and hammock-netting, breaking the stock of the best bower-anchor, and driving the sheet-anchor from its berth into the gangway. The shock to the merchantman must have been fearful, as she went nearly stem on. Her foremast went by the board like a stick, and she drifted astern a total wreck, carrying her gear with her. It is believed she wag a very large ship. A steamer was sent to assist her almost immediately, but returned after some hours, unable to find her and great fears are entertained that she has foundered. The accident, as far aa I can yet learn, seems to have happened through no "look-out" being kept in the merchantman, and the man who was steering her did not see his danger until he was close to the Duke, whose helm was hard to port, steering south to get out of his way. The vessels would have passed each other had he not in his hurry and consternation, put his helm hard a-starboard and run, of course, right into the forechains of the Duke. No blame is to be attached to the officer of the watch, who seems to have done all that was proper to avert the accident, which will detain the ship at least 10 or 12 days, and she will most likely have to go to Sheerness for repairs.

Sa 6 March 1858

The Royal Sovereign, 131, Impérieuse, 51, Melpomene, 51, Termagant, 24, and Perseverance troop-ship, are all-in the steam basin at Portsmouth preparing for service. The Duke of Wellington, 131, Captain Eyres. C.B.; Victory, 104, Captain Seymour, C.B.; Blenheim, 60, Captain F. Scott, C.B.; and the Sidon, 22, Sphynx, 6, and Fire Queen steam yacht, are all-in dock fitting out and refitting.

Th 9 June 1859

The Channel fleet now assembled at Portland consists of the following screw steamships;- Exmouth, 91, Capt. J. Stopford; Hero, 91, Capt. G.H. Seymour, C.B.; James Watt, 91, Capt. E. Codd; Algiers, 91, Capt. G.W.D. O'Callaghan; Cressy, 80, Capt. the Hon. G.J.B. Elliot, C.B.; Mersey, 40. Capt. H. Caldwell, C.B.; Blenheim, 60, Capt. F. Scott. A considerable augmentation, of the fleet is shortly expected.

Sa 18 June 1859

The new line-of-battle ship Royal Albert, 121, Captain Rice, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Fremantle, Commander-in-Chief of the Channel fleet, arrived at Portland harbour on Thursday afternoon at half-??? [unreadable] from Plymouth. On arriving off King's Pier, the Hero, Captain G. H. Seymour, C.B., saluted the gallant ??? with the usual number of guns, which was duly replied to. The Royal Albert came in under steam, and took an excellent position inside the other ships of war at anchor in that magnificent harbour. The fleet now comprises the following ships:- Royal Albert, 121; Hero, ???; James Watt, 91; Algiers, 91; Mersey, 40; Emerald, Blenheim, 60; and the gunboats Flying Fish, 6, and ???.

Fr 1 July 1859

The screw line-of-battle ship Agamemnon, 91, Capt. Thomas Hope, arrlved at Portland on Tuesday afternoon from Spithead. Her Majesty's vessels now at anchor in that harbour are the Royal Albert, 121; Hero, 91; James Watt, 91; Agamemnon, 91; Algiers, 91; Emerald, 51; Mersey, 40; Curacoa, 31; Blenheim, 60; Pioneer, 6; Flying Fish, 6; and the Biter, 2.

Fr 8 July 1859

The screw line-of-battle ships Royal Albert, 121, Capt. E.B. Rice, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Fremantle; the James Watt, 91, Capt. E. Codd; the Hero, 91, Capt. G.H. Seymour, C.B.; the Algiers, 91, Capt. G.W.D. O'Callaghan; the Mersey, 40, Capt. H. Caldwell, C.B.; and the screw despatch gunboat Flying Fish, 6, Commander Hope, left Portland harbour on Wednesday morning for a cruise in the Channel. The Agamemnon, 91, Capt. T. Hope; the Emerald, 31, Capt. Arthur Cumming; the Blenheim, 60, Capt. Scott; and the Pioneer, 6, Commander May, are still at anchor.

Ma 18 July 1859

The screw line-of-battle ships Royal Albert, 121, bearing the flag of Sir Charles Fremantle; James Watt, 91; Algiers, 91; Hero, 91; the screw-frigate Mersey, 40; and the despatch gunboat Flying Fish, 6, arrived at Portland under steam on Friday morning after a few days cruise in the Channel. The other ships at anchor at Portland are the Agamemnon, 91; Aboukir, 91; Emerald, 51; Blenheim, 60 ; and the gun-boats Pioneer, 6, and Biter, 2.

Tu 26 July 1859

His Royal Highness the Prince Consort, accompanied by Prince Alfred and Prince Arthur, arrived in the Royal yacht Victoria and Albert at noon yesterday on a visit of inspection to the extensive defensive and other important works in connexion with the new harbour at Portland. A portion of the Channel fleet, consisting of the Royal Albert, Agamemnon, James Watt, Algiers, and Emerald, which had shortly before left the harbour for Spithead, saluted the Royal party on passing. On the yacht rounding the extremity of the outer breakwater the ships at anchor - Aboukir, Blenheim, Topaze, Melpomene - also saluted. Their Royal Highnesses, on landing, were received by Mr. Coode, engineer-in-chief, and Mr. Leather, contractor for the breakwater, who conducted them over the works now in progress. After the inspection the Royal party returned on board the Victoria and Albert, which immediately left the harbour for Osborne.

We 10 August 1859

The screw steamship Edgar, 91, Capt. Katon, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral J.E. Erskine, second in command of the Channel fleet, arrived at Portland on Saturday morning from Spithead. The Blenheim, 60, Capt. F. Scott, returned from the westward on Friday. Sir John Burgoyne, Inspector-General of fortifications, paid an official visit to the works at Portland on Saturday. The screw line-of-battle ship Neptune, 91, Capt. Sir William Hoste, arrived at Portland on Sunday afternoon from Spithead.

We 24 August 1859

At half-past 6 o'clock on Saturday evening Her Majesty's ship Nile steamed out of Cork harbour with the intention of joining the Channel squadron at Spithead. It is thought likely that she will henceforth form portion of the squadron, and that the Hawke will continue for some time longer to hold the post of guardship in Queenstown.
The screw steam despatch vessel Flying Fish, 6, Commander C. Hope, arrived at Plymouth on Monday, from the Channel fleet. The screw steamship Caesar, 90, Capt. T.H. Mason, got up steam on Monday morning, and in the afternoon left Plymouth Sound to join the Channel fleet, which, it is said, will cruise as far west as Ushant.
The scrow steamships Aboukir, 91, the Topaz, 51, and the Melpomene, 51, left Portland harbour on Sunday, to join the Channel fleet, which was cruising a few miles from the harbour. The Edgar, 91, the Impérieuse, 51, and the Blenheim, 60, remain in port.

We 2 November 1859

The screw line-of-battle ship Royal Albert, 121, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Fremantle, the screw steam frigates Mersey, 40, and the Emerald, 51, arrived at Portland on Sunday from Plymouth. The Mars, 80, and the Blenheim, 60, arrived from the westward on Monday.

Sa 12 November 1859

The Algiers, 91, screw, Capt. George D. O'Callaghan, arrived at Spithead from Portland yesterday.
The ships remaining in Portland Harbour are:- the Royal Albert, 131; the Hero, 91; the Aboukir, 91; the Mars, 81; the Blenheim, 61; the Mersey, 40; the Emerald, 51; and the Melpomene, 51.
The screw steamshlp Trafalgar, 91, from Portland, arrived in Plymouth Sound yesterday morning.

We 7 December 1859

The screw line-of-battle ship Algiers, 91, rejoined the Channel Fleet at Portland on Sunday. The vessels now at anchor there are the Royal Albert, 131 (flag ship); Hero, 91; Aboukir, 91; Algiers, 91; Trafalgar, 91; Mars, 80; Mersey, 40; Diadem, 32; Blenheim, 60; Donegal, 101; Partridge, 6; and the Biter, 2.

Th 23 February 1860

The screw steam frigate Diadem, 32, Capt. James H. Cockburn, arrived at Portland on Tuesday from Portsmouth. A portion of the Channel fleet is expected to leave that harbour in a few days for the Tagus. The vessels now in port are the Royal Albert, 121; Edgar, 91; Queen, 91; Algiers, 91: Donegal, 101; Hero, 91; Trafalgar, 91; Melpomene, 51; Mersey, 40; Diadem, 32; Blenheim, 60; Mutine, 17; Greyhound, 17; Biter, 2; and the Partridge, 2.

Fr 25 May 1860

The Channel fleet, consisting of the Conqueror, 101; the Donegal, 101; the Algiers, 91, the Aboukir, 91; the Trafalgar, 91; the Centurion, 80; the Mars, 80; and the Diadem, 32, left Portland harbour on Wednesday afternoon for a cruise in the Channel. The Blenheim, 60, is the only ship of war now at Portland.

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