HMS Emerald (1856)
HMS Emerald (1856)


Royal NavyVessels

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NameEmerald (1856)Explanation
TypeFrigate   
Launched19 July 1856 Converted to screwon the stocks
HullWooden Length237 feet
PropulsionScrew Men580
Builders measure2913 tons   
Displacement3503 tons   
Guns51   
Fate1869 Last in commission1863
Class  Class (as screw)Emerald
Ships bookADM 135/152   
Career
DateEvent
19 July 1856Launched at Deptford Dockyard.
14 May 1859
- 7 November 1863
Commanded (from commissioning at Sheerness until paying off at Sheerness) by Captain Arthur Cumming, Channel squadron (ship's log)
2 December 1869Sold to Castle for breaking up at Charlton.
Extracts from the Times newspaper
DateExtract
Fr 4 July 1856The African paddlewheel steamvessel, Second Master-Commander Reuben Harvey, arrived at Sheemess on Wednesday from Woolwich, with part of the steam machinery for the new screw steam frigate Emerald, 50, of 600-horse power, now ready for being launched at Deptford. She is ordered to be brought forward for commission for foreign service with all possible despatch at Sheerness.
Th 10 July 1856The screw steam-frigate Emerald, of 50 guns, and 2,852 tons burden, will be launched from Deptford-yard on the 19th inst.; and on the 21st will proceed to Sheerness to be masted and have her machinery put on board.
Sa 19 July 1856The African paddle-wheel steamvessel, Second Master-Commander Reuben Harvey, left Sheerness yesterday, for the purpose of towing the new screw steam-frigate Emerald, 50 guns (launched yesterday at Deptford), to Sheerness, to be immediately fitted.
Th 24 July 1856The new screw steamfrigate Emerald, 50 guns, and 600-horse power, was towed from Deptford to Sheerness on Tuesday by the steamvessels African and Monkey. The Emerald was taken into the fitting-basin on the same day to be brought forward for immediate commission.
Ma 6 October 1856The new screw steam-frigate Emerald, 51; the new screw steam-corvette Scylla, 21; and the Cyclops, 6, paddlewheel steam-frigate, are ordered to be brought forward for commission immediately.
Ma 3 November 1856The Emerald, 51 guns, new screw steam-frigate, has been taken into No. 3 dry dock at Sheerness for repairs.
Th 13 November 1856The Emerald, 51 guns, new screw steam-frigate, is being fitted at Sheerness.
We 3 December 1856The Emerald, 51, new screw steam-frigate of 600 horse power, has had her fittings completed at Sheerness. She is now receiving her seagoing chain cables, &c., preparatory to her being placed in the steam reserve squadron at Sheerness.
We 31 December 1856The following ships and vessels are now in port at Sheerness, in harbour, fitting-basin, and in docks, viz.:- The Edinburgh, 60 guns, Captain Edward P. Halsted; the Waterloo, 120 guns, Captain Lord Frederick Kerr, flagship; the Formidable, 84 guns, Captain-Superintendent John Jervis Tucker; the Royal George, 102 guns; the Terrible, 21 guns; the new screw steam corvette Scylla. 21 guns; the Argus, 6 guns; the Eurotas, 12 guns, screw mortar-ship; the Hydra, 6 guns; the Terror, 14 guns, floating battery; the Horatio, 12 guns; the Russell, 60 guns; the Hawke, 60 guns, Captain James Willcox, C.B., &c.; the Phoenix, 6 guns.; the Renard, 6 guns; the Foxhound, 6 guns; the Pylades, 21 guns; the Trusty, 14 guns, floating battery; the new screw steam frigate Emerald, 51 guns; the Hermes, 6 guns, Commander William E.A. Gordon; the Lizard steamvessel, Lieutenant-Commander Thomas B. Christopher; the Myrtle steamvessel, Master-Commander William S. Bourchier; the African steamvessel, Second Master-Commander R. Harvey; the Fearless steamvessel; the Wildfire steam tender to Waterloo, Master-Commander George Brockman; the Melampus, 42 guns, Captain L. Heath, C. B., &c. The gunboats Louisa, Magnet, Erne, Mayflower, Ruby, Sandfly, Carnation, Spanker, Pelter, Fly, Hasty, Cochin, Julia, Dwarf, Fidget, Griper, Mastiff, Mistletoe, Traveller, Spey, Surly, Herring, Sepoy, Bullfrog, Tickler, Manly, Thistle, and the new screw steam despatch gunboat Nimrod. The new ship Meeanee, 80 guns, is in No. 2 dry dock, being altered to receive screw steam machinery.
Fr 30 January 1857The Myrtle steam vessel towed the Robert (which vessel had been run down by the Emerald, and since raised) from Sheerness-harbour to Milton-creek yesterday.
Sa 23 May 1857The Emerald, 51 guns, new screw steam-frigate, has been put out of the fitting basin at Sheerness, and is placed in the steam squadron of reserve, under Captain Edward P. Halstead, in command of the Edinburgh.
Ma 26 April 1858The new screw steam frigate Emerald, 51 guns, is being fitted for the pendant in No. 3 dock at Sheerness.
Ma 10 May 1858All the artificers at Sheerness are to be henceforth, until further orders, put on what is termed job and task work on unlimited earnings, and all labourers now employed, whether on the establishment or temporarily hired, whose weekly wages do not amount to 14s. Per week, are to have their pay raised to that sum. All extra time to be paid for. Provisions and stores of every description are ordered to be forthwith taken on board the screw steam guard-ship of ordinary Royal George, 102 guns, Captain Superintendent John C. Fitzgerald, and the screw steam guardship of steam reserve Cressy, 80 guns, Captain Edward P. Halsted, &c. If required for immediate service they are ordered to be manned from the different Coastguard stations attached to their district. The ships now under fitment at Sheerness, in the fitting basin and in dry dock, are the Majestic screw steamship, 80 guns; the Colossus screw steamship, 80 guns; the new screw steamship Hero, 91 guns; the Terrible paddle-wheel steam frigate, 21 guns; the new screw steam frigate Emerald, 51 guns, and sundry gunboats.
Ma 21 June 1858The Emerald, 51 guns, is being masted at Sheerness, and is to be immediately rigged ready for the pendant.
Su 11 July 1858The new steam frigate Emeraldis in the fitting basin at Sheerness and ready for the pendant.
We 8 September 1858The Commander-in-Chief at Sheerness, on the 6th inst. inspected the Colossus, 80 guns, the Royal George, 102 guns, the Emerald, 51 guns, and the Scout, 21 guns, all advanced screw steamships, an Admiralty order having been received to report what time wonld be required to get them ready for foreign service.
Sa 2 October 1858The new steam-frigate Emerald has had a vary satisfactory trial trip of her machinery, She proceeded below Harwich, and her average speed was 13.6 knots. Her machinery in all its parts worked admirably.
Ma 16 May 1859Capt. Arthur Cumming (late of the floating battery Glatton) commissioned the new screw steam frigate Emerald, of 51 guns and 600 horse-power (nominal), on Saturday last, at Sheerness.
Sa 21 May 1859The following officers have taken up their commissions and appointments, and joined the Emerald, Capt. Arthur Cumming, at Sheerness - First Lieut. Carter (late Nankin) and Lieut. W.R. Wright; Paymaster R.G. Webber; Assist.-Paymaster F. Bunn; and Mr. Aitkien, Clerk. Every preparation is being made to expedite the completion for sea of this ship. Her complement of marines have arrived and all are fully employed; she has already 300 men.
Fr 27 May 1859The new screw-steam frigate Emerald, of 51 guns, and 600-horse power (nominal), Capt. Arthur Cumming, is receiving some first-rate A.B.'s, some of whom were on board the Nankin.
We 1 June 1859The new screw steam frigate Emerald, Capt. Arthur Cumming, and the new screw steam corvette Cadmus, Capt. Hillyar, now at Sheerness, ready to join the Channel squadron, will proceed to the Great Nore, and there remain to salute the Princess Royal of Prussia on her passage down the Thames. Her Royal Highness will embark from Gravesend tomorrow.
Th 2 June 1859On Tuesday the new screw steam-frigate Emerald, 51 guns, Captain Arthur Cumming, got up steam, left Sheerness Harbour at 7 p.m, and proceeded to the Great Nore.
Sa 4 June 1859The Emerald, screw frigate, Capt. Cumming, arrived at Spithead yesterday from the eastward.
Ma 6 June 1859The Emerald, 51, screw frigate, Capt. Authur Cumming, arrived at Spithead on Saturday from the eastward.
We 15 June 1859The steam despatch boat Flying Fish arrived in Portland Harbour on Sunday morning; the screw steam frigate Emerald, 51, Capt. Arthur Cumming, arrived in the evening from Spithead, to join the Channel fleet.
Sa 18 June 1859The 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 1859The 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 1859The 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 1859The 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 1859His 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.
Ma 22 August 1859Eight out of the 11 vessels forming that portion of the Channel fleet at Spithead left that anchorage under steam on Saturday. Early in the morning indications were given of their approaching departure; royal yards were crossed, funnels raised, and fires lit. At noon Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Howe Fremantle, K.C.B., embarked on board his barge from the sallyport stairs, and proceeded on board the Royal Albert, which, with the remainder of the squadron, had steam up, and was hove short. It was 3 p.m. before the fleet was fairly under way, the Royal Albert leading as far as the Nab Light, when the Flying Fish, 6, screw, Commander C. W. Hope, was sent ahead of the Royal Albert, and took up her position as look-out vessel to the squadron. Scarcely a ripple was on the water, and a more magnificent sight could not be imagined than the ships presented as they steamed round the east end of the Wight in the order named:- The Flying Fish, screw, 6, Commander C. W. Hope; the Royal Albert, 131, screw, Captain E. B. Rice, bearing the flag (red at the mizen) of Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Howe Fremantle, K.C.B.; the Algiers, 91, screw, Captain G.W.D. O'Callaghan; the James Watt, 91, screw, Captain E. Codd; the Agamemnon, 91, screw, Captain T. Hope; the Hero, 91, screw, Captain G.H. Seymour; the Diadem, 32, screw, Capt. W. Moorsom, C.B.; and the Emerald, 51, screw, Capt. A. Cumming. The Mersey was detained at Spithead on her experimental screw trials, her third attempt at the measured mile on Saturday again proving a failure, owing to the continued priming of her boilers. The ships at present at Spithead comprise the Trafalgar, 91, screw, Capt. E.G. Fanshawe; the Mersey, 40, screw, Capt. H. Caldwell, C.B.; and the Scout, 21, screw, Capt. John Corbett, the above three vessels belonging to the Channel fleet; the Sidon, 22, paddle, Capt. R.B. Crawford, and the Pioneer, 6, screw, Commander Hugh Reilley, both ordered on foreign service, and the Gorgon, 6, paddle, Commander Bedford C. Pim
Th 8 September 1859THE CHANNEL FLEET.- Torbay has been again honoured during the past week with a visit from the Channel fleet. On Wednesday the Melpomene, 51, Capt. Ewart; Diadem, 32, Capt. W. Moorsom, C.B.; and the screw despatch gunboat Flying Fish, 6, Commander Hope, arrived in the bay from the westward. On inquiry it was learnt that a day or two before the fleet encountered a very heavy westerly gale in the chops of the Channel, in which the Diadem sprang her mainyard, and that with the vessels above-named she was detached from the squadron and ordered to rendezvous at Torbay. Early on Friday morning they were rejoined by the remainder of the fleet. The vessels were discerned in the offing standing in for the bay in splendid order. They consisted of the Royal Albert, 121, Capt. E.B. Rice, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Fremantle, K.C.B.; the James Watt, 91, Capt. E. Codd; the Algiers, 91, Capt. G.W.D. O'Callaghan; the Caesar, 90, Capt. T.H. Mason; the Agamemnon, 91, Capt. T. Hope; the Aboukir, 91, Capt. F. Schomberg; the Nile, 91, Capt. A.P.E. Wilmot; the Hero, 91, Capt. G.W. Seymour, C.B.; the Emerald, 51, Capt. A. Cumming; the Topaz, 51, Capt. the Hon. W.S. Spencer; and the Imperieuse, 50, Capt. John J.B.E. Frere. At noon the whole of the ships had come to an anchor about midbay. It was a noble sight to the spectator ashore to witness these magnificent specimens of naval architecture taking up their respective positions. Thousands of persons were, as on the last occasion, attracted to the quays, and the bay has been every day studded with boats and steamers conveying excursionists around the vessels. By the kindness of the commanders the ships were again, subject to necessary regulations, thrown open to the public, and during the whole of the specified hours an immense number of visitors have availed themselves of the privilege. The Diadem and the Flying Fish got under way on Saturday morning and proceeded to Plymouth, but the rest still remain at anchor.
Ma 12 September 1859The Channel fleet was off Plymouth on Saturday afternoon. At half-past 3 o'clock they were under steam only 3½ miles south of the Mewstone coming from the eastward, and led by the Royal Albert; they then edged in towards the Breakwater, under jibs and spankers only; wind, N. by W. The ships afterwards paid off towards the south, and at 5 o'clock were four or five miles east of the Eddystone, under steam only, apparently going down Channel. The fleet consisted of the flagship, the Royal Albert, 121, Rear. Admiral Sir Charles Freemantle; the Algiers, 91, Capt. George W.D. O'Callaghan; the James Watt, 91, Capt. Edward Codd; Caesar, 90, Capt. Thomas H. Mason; Hero, 91, Capt George H. Seymour; Mersey, 40, Capt. Henry Caldwell, C.B.; Nile, 90, Capt. Arthur P.E. Wilmot, C.B.; Aboukir, 90, Capt. Charles F. Schomberg; Agamemnon, 91, Capt. Thomas Hope; Topaze, 51, Capt. Hon. W.S. Spencer; Emerald, 51, Capt. Arthur Cumming; Flying Fish, 6, Commander Charles W. Hope; and Melpomene, 50, Capt. Charles J.F. Ewart.
Sa 17 September 1859The Channel fleet entered Plymouth Sound yesterday (Friday). It consists of the flagship Royal Albert, 121, Rear-Admiral Sir C. Fremantle; the Hero, 91, Captain Sir G.J. Brooke; the Algiers, 91, Captain O'Callaghan; the Agamemnon, 91, Capt. Wilson [this would seem to be an error, Thomas Hope was captain at this time]; the Caesar, 90, Capt. Mason; the Emerald, 50, Capt. Cumming; the James Watt, 91, Capt. E. Codd; the Aboukir, 90, Capt. Schomberg; and the Topazee, 50, Capt. Spencer. The ships hove in sight about 9 a.m.; the Admiral entered at 11; the last ship at 2 p.m.; the flagship parted her bower cable in the Sound; the Melpomene and the Mersey parted company from the rest of the fleet at sea.
Ma 3 October 1859None of the ships belonging to the Channel fleet have left Plymouth during the last week, and there is no present prospect of a combined movement by Admiral Fremantle, who is Commander-in-Chief of the port daring the temporary absence of Vice-Admiral Sir Barrington Reynolds, K.C.B. In the meantime indications which would pass unnoticed under other circumstances, are now observed with interest both on board and on shore; the officers know, if possible, less than the townsmen. The flag ship, Royal Albert, 121, Capt. B. Rice, went from the Sound on Wednesday into Hamoaze, and, with all her armament on board, was placed in dock at Devonport. The copper was stripped off near the aperture of her shaft, and that part of the ship was caulked and recoppered; her bends were also caulked. She was undocked on Saturday. The corners of her fans will probably be reduced. Her crew of 1,000 men are considered good. Some of them are absent on leave until the 7th inst. Strong gales from the southward, accompanied by heavy rains, have recently prevailed, and have compelled the fleet in the Sound to strike top-gallant-masts and make all snug. The state of the weather has most likely prevented the departure of the screw steamship Caesar, 90, Capt. Thomas H. Mason; for some days the davits have been ready to get up her anchors, and she has been otherwise prepared. The blue Peter was flying on Saturday, and 10 or 12 officers and about 60 men, for various ships in the Mediterranean, have embarked. The officers of the Caesar are requesting to have their letters addressed in the first instance to Gibraltar. According to present information she will remain two years on the station; she was commissioned in June, 1853. The Caesar sailed yesterday (Sunday) morning, at 10 o'clock, It will be recollected that, some 10 days since, the Lords of the Admiralty issued orders to prepare for foreign service the James Watt, 91, Capt. Edward Codd, and the Agamemnon, 91, Capt. Thomas Hope. These ships continue ready. The James Watt is bound for the Mediterranean, and has received stores for the Orion and other ships there. The destination of the Agamemnon is uncertain; it is not thought now that she will follow the James Watt; some of her officers have just received leave of absence for a week. The Nile, 90, Capt. A.B. Wilmot, C.B, has a good crew of 850 men, many of whom are from Liverpool; about five months since she supplied 80 to the Doris, and shortly after, 90 to the Algiers. It is expected that the Nile will return to Queenstown, where her crew will probably be reduced to 350. The screw steam frigate Emerald, 50, Capt. Arthur Cumming has a crew of 550, which is less than her complement; it is supposed that she will winter at Sheerness. The Mersey, 40, Capt. Caldwell, C.B., has a complement of 560, chiefly "young fellows," who hope to be paid down at Portsmouth, and to pass the winter there. No preparations for sea are making on board the Diadem, 32, Capt. William Moorsom, C.B. The screw steam gun-vessel Flying Fish, 6, Commander Hope, went outside the harbour on Thursday to try her machinery, which has been recently repaired at Keyham steam yard. The Aboukir, Hero, Melpomene, Topaze, and Virago, complete the Channel fleet. Very few men have volunteerd for the expedition to China.
Ma 10 October 1859Yesterday (Sunday) there were in Plymouth Sound ships of war belonging to five different nations, a circumstance said to be unprecedented.- The English ships of the line Aboukir, Algiers, Donegal, Hero, and Nile; frigates Diadem, Emerald, Melpomene, Mersey, and Topaze; corvette Pearl; the Dutch frigate Admiral Koopman, and sloops Vesuvius and Rainier; the Russian sloop Razboynik; the Brazilian corvette Bahiana; and the Turkish line-of-battle ship Shadie. In all 17 pennants. The whole of the ships, with the exception of the Brazilian corvette, have steam power.
Th 13 October 1859The following screw steamships, forming part of the Channel fleet, in Plymouth Sound, were ordered on Tuesday to prepare for sea immediately: viz., the Donegal, 101, Capt. William F. Glanville; the Emerald, 50, Capt. Arthur Cumming; the Melpomene, 50, Capt. Charles J.F. Ewart; the Mersey, 40, Capt. Henry Caldwell, C.B.; the Algiers, 91, Capt, George W.D. O'Callaghan; the Hero, 81, Capt. George H. Seymour; and the Aboukir, 90, Capt. Charles S. Schomberg. The Nile and Melpomene will probably go to the West Indies, and the Hero to Vancouver's Island.
The screw steam corvette Pearl, 21, Capt. Borlase, C.B., left Plymouth on Monday night for China. As she passed through the Sound her crew was cheered most lustily by the crews of the Channel fleet.
Sa 15 October 1859At 8 a.m. on Thursday Rear Admiral Elliott hoisted his flag (blue at the mizen) on board the screw steamship Hero, 90, Capt. Seymour, in Plymouth Sound, and took command of the fleet. His flag was saluted by the Dutch and Brazilian ships of war in the Sound. At noon the Aboukir, Capt. Schomberg, tripped her anchor and was followed in succession by the Hero, 90, Capt. Seymour; Algiers, 91, Capt. G. O'Callaghan; Trafalgar, 91, Capt. Fanshawe; and Donegal, 101, Capt. G. Glanville, under steam, and by the Mersey, 40, Capt. H. Caldwell, C.B,; Melpomene, 60, Capt. Ewart; and Emerald, 51, Capt. A, Cumming, under canvas. The last ship left at 5 p.m. One report states that the squadron will cruise ten days and return to Plymouth, another that they will rendezvous at Queenstown.
Th 20 October 1859The following ships of the Channel fleet arrived in Cork Harbour on Saturday:- Donegal, 101, screw steamer; Aboukir, 90, screw steamer; Hero, 91, screw steamer; Trafalgar, 120; Algiers, 91, screw steamer; Emerald, 51, screw steamer; Melpomene, 50, screw steamer; and Mersey, 40 screw steamer.
Th 27 October 1859The Channel fleet was off Plymouth on Tuesday evening. The Emerald and Mersey parted company from them, and entered the Sound to receive provisions for conveyance to Torbay, where the ships will assemble, and be joined by the Royal Albert and Diadem, from Plymouth.
Tu 1 November 1859The screw steam-frigate Emerald, 51, Captain A. Cumming, left Plymouth on Saturday for Portland.
We 2 November 1859The 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 1859The 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.
Tu 20 December 1859The screw steam-frigate Emerald, 51, Capt. A. Cumming, from the Downs, arrlved at Plymouth on Sunday morning. She experienced a very heavy fall of snow in the Channel.
Sa 24 December 1859The crew of the steam frigate Emerald, 51, Captain Cumming, will be paid wages at Plymouth.
Fr 30 December 1859The crew of the screw steam frigate Emerald, Captain A. Cunningham [should be Cumming], will be paid wages at Plymouth on Saturday and granted leave of absence.
Fr 6 January 1860The crew o£ the screw steam frlgate Emerald, 51, Capt. A. Cumming, at Devonport, were paid wages on Wednesday, and one watch obtained a week's leave.
We 18 January 1860The Emerald, in Plymouth Sound, was to hoist the flag of Admiral Milnes yesterday, and will sail to the West Indies as temporary flagship, on the 12th of February. She is being fitted out up harbour at present.
Th 19 January 1860Rear-Admiral Sir Alexander Milne, K.C.B., arrived on Monday at Devonport. On Tuesday morning the Admiral hoisted his flag temporarily on board the screw steam frigate Emerald, 51, Capt. Arthur Cumming. The usual salutes were given. During the day, accompanied by Capt. Barnard, he inspected his flagship the Nile, 90, repairing In Keyham steamyard. It is understood that in about 10 days Admiral Milne will leave Plymouth in the Emerald for the West Indies, and that he will in her make a complete survey of the station, preparatory to the arrival of the Nile with his family two months after.
Sa 28 January 1860The paddlewheel steam tender Sprightly, G. Allen, master, from Portsmouth, arrived on Thursday at Plymouth with a portion of the crew of the Emerald, absent on leave.
Th 2 February 1860The screw steam-frigate Emerald, 51, Capt. A. Cumming, will be placed in dock at Devonport to-day (Thursday)
Sa 4 February 1860The screw steam frigate Emerald, 51, Capt. A. Cumming having been thoroughly overhauled, was removed from dock at Devonport on Thursday.
Ma 13 February 1860Rear-Admiral Sir Alexander Milne, K.C.B., returned to Devonport on Friday evening, and on Saturday morning hoisted his flag on board the screw steam-frigate Emerald, 51, Capt. A. Cumming which has received her powder. During the day Admiral Milne mustered and inspected the crew of the screw steamship Nile, 90.
Th 16 February 1860Rear-Admiral Sir Alexander Milne, K.C.B., will probably leave Plymouth Sound, in the screw steamship Emerald, 51, Capt. A. Cumming, for the West India station, about Saturday next.
Sa 18 February 1860The screw steam-frigate Emerald, 51, Capt. A. Cumming, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir Alexander Milne, K.C.B., left Plymouth Sound on Thursday.
Fr 9 March 1860On Monday last the master discovered that some evil-disposed person had injured a quantity o£ new rope on board the screw steamship Nile, 90, Captain Arthur P.E. Wilmot, C.B., now under repair in the basin at Keyham steam yard, Devonport, The injured rope, which is valued at over 300 l., included a sheet or stream cable, which is hacked in several places, in one of which two strands are cut through, and a hawser (of about two or three inches), which has been cut in a similar way. An axe was found near. The ship is for the present in the hands of the dockyard artisans, who are at work on board in all directions. The rope is on the orlop deck, where candles are used. It is coiled within some square wooden rail work, on the port side forward. There is just space enough between the rails and the side of the ship for people to pass, and, as very little daylight can reach the place, it affords great facility for the perpetration of such a mischievous act. Excepting the possible detention of the ship, there appears no imaginary motive for its commission. Up to Wednesday evening there was no clue to the discovery of the offender. Port-Admiral Sir Barrington Reynolds has been on board and examined the damaged rope. It Is expected that the Nile will be ready for sea by the 5th of April, and it is at present arranged that she shall be at the Island of Bermuda by the 10th of May, to meet the Emerald, and receive Rear-Admiral Sir Alexander Milne, K.C.B., who will go in her to Halifax, where she will remain a few days, and then proceed to Quebec, to be in attendance on his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales during his visit to Canada.
Ma 9 April 1860The screw steam frigate Emerald, 51, Capt. Arthur Cumming, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir Alexander Milne, K.C.B. (successor to Admiral Stewart), which left Plymonth Feb. 16, arrived at Bermuda on Tuesday, March 6, one of the quickest passages on record. She used canvass only until within 500 miles of the island; the exact time occupied was 19 days and 6 hours. The Admiral loft Bermuda on March 19 for Barbadoes.
Ma 16 April 1860Admiral Sir Alexander Milne, K.C.B., after inspecting the various ships on the West India station in the screw steam frigate Emerald, 51, Capt. Arthur Cumming, is due at Bermuda on the 15th inst.
Sa 30 June 1860Letters received in Plymouth announce the safe arrival at Bermuda, on the 2d of June, of the screw steamship Nile, 90, Capt. Edward K. Bernard. Being under canvass only, and having experienced very light winds, she was 45 days on the passage - a length of time which had created some apprehension for her safety. It is understood that Rear-Admiral Sir Alexander Milne, K.C.B., shifts his flag from the Emerald, 51, to the Nile, and then proceeds to the Golf of St. Lawrence, to await the arrival of the Prince of Wales in the Hero.
Fr 6 July 1860The screw steam frigate Emerald, 51, Capt. Arthur Cumming, which conveyed Rear-Admiral Sir Alexander Milne, K.C.B., to the West Indies, arrived In Plymouth Sound on Wednesday evening, and saluted the flag of Admiral Superintendent Sir Thomas Pasley, Bart., acting Port Admiral in the absence of Vice-Admiral Sir Arthur Fanshawe, K.C.B. The Emerald left Bermuda June 10th under oanvass, and has brought a mail from the squadron, and about 30 supernumeraries, invalids, convicts, &c. The Emerald left at Bermuda tho screw steamship Nile, 91, Capt. Edward K. Barnard ; screw steam corvette Cossack, 20, Capt. Richard Moorman; the paddlewheel steam sloop Gorgon, 6, Commander B. C. T. Pim; the screw steam gun-boat Skipjack, Lieut. and Commander John Murray; the floating battery Terror, 16, Capt, Frederick Hutton. The Nile and the Cossack were to sail on the 13th of July for Halifax. The Gorgon was ordered home on account of the defective condition of her boilers, and would probably sail on the 11th. The paddlewbeel steam sloop Styx, 6, Commander Charles Vesey, left Bermuda for Newfoundland on the 31st of May.
Ma 9 July 1860The screw steam frigate Emerald, 51, in Plymouth Sound, landed on Friday the stores which she brought from the West Indies.
We 11 July 1860

DEPARTURE OF THE PRINCE OF WALES.

PLYMOUTH, JULY 10.

The screw steamship Hero, 91, Captain George H. Seymour, C.B., with his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, and the screw steam frigate Ariadne, 26, Captain Edward W. Vansittart, weighed anchor in the Sound at 7 o'clock this morning, and shortly after sailed for Quebec. On leaving the port the Prince was saluted by the screw steamship St. George, 91, Captain the Hon. F. Egerton; the screw steam frigate Emerald, 51, Captain Arthur Cuming; by the Artillery in Plymouth Citadel, and by the Cornish Royal Volunteers from a field battery near the ruins of Mount-Edgcumbe-park. About a league and a half south-east of the Edd ystone the Hero was joined by Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Fremantle's Channel squadron; wind, easterly; very light. It is understood that the squadron, after escorting the Prince part of the way across the Atlantic, will return to Bantry Bay, and, having already visited the capital of Scotland, there is some probability of their going afterwards to Dublin.

Th 12 July 1860The screw steam frigate Emerald, 51, Capt. Arthur Cumming, left Plymouth Sound on Tuesday afternoon for the purpose of going into dock at Keyham steam-yard. After passing St. Nicholas Island, and when in the narrow part of the entrance to Hamoaze, a merchant brig, in tow of a steam-tug, from Stonehouse Pool, was observed suddenly rounding Stonehouse Point, and, in order to avoid injuring the brig, the frigate was backed astern towards Barn Pool, when the ebbing tide caught her bow, and she grounded on the beach at about half-past 2 o'clock. It was not low tide until half-past 3, and she did not float off until 7, when she was moored to a buoy, and was yesterday (Wednesday) morning taken up Hamoaze. She will be placed to-day in No. 1 dock, from which the Charon and Goshawk are to be removed. With ships like the Emerald, which is 265 feet 6 inches long, it seems necessary that a steam tender should be in advance when passing through a strait so narrow as the entrance to Hamoaze.
Ma 16 July 1860The screw steam frigate Emerald, 50, Capt. A. Cumming, is now in dock at Keyham steamyard. She grounded at Bermuda, and recently at Barn Pool; but the only apparent damage sustained is the loss of some 60 feet of copper off her false keel.
Th 19 July 1860The artisans at Keyham steamyard are cutting off the fore corners of the propeller of the screw steam frigate Emerald, 50, Capt. A. Cumming, now in No. 1 dock.
Sa 21 July 1860The rigging of the screw steam-frigate Emerald, 51, Capt. Arthur Cumming, in Keyham steamyard, is being refitted; her lower masts were struck on Thursday.
Ma 23 July 1860The shipwrights' work on the screw steam frigate Emerald, 51, Capt. Arthur Cumming, in Keyham steamyard, will probably be completed on Wednesday.
Ma 30 July 1860The screw steam frigate Emerald, 51, Capt. A. Cumming, was taken out of No. 1 dock at Keyham steam-yard on Friday, and placed alongside the south jetty. After coaling, she was appointed to be put out of the basin on Saturday.
Fr 10 August 1860

8 August 1860

The screw steam frigate Emerald, 51, Capt. Arthur Cumming, in Plymouth Sound, took on board her powder.
Sa 25 August 1860The Emerald, 51, screw, Captain A. Cumming, anchored at Spithead yesterday morning, from the westward, and exchanged the usual honorary salutes with the Victory, flagship of the Commander-in-chief. The Emerald will embark detachments of troops on Monday for the Channel Islands.
Ma 27 August 1860Two batteries from the 15th Brigade of Royal Artillery, stationed at Gosport, will early this morning embark on board a steamer at the Royal Clarence-yard, and be conveyed out to Spithead, where they will be transhipped on board Her Majesty's ship Emerald, 51, screw, Capt. H. Cumming, for conveyance to Alderney, where they will relieve two batteries of the 10th Brigade, which will return to Spithead on board the Emerald.
Tu 28 August 1860The Emerald, 51, screw, Capt. A Cumming, left Spithead at 9 a.m. yesterday, by the western passage, for Alderney, with reliefs of Royal Artillery.
Th 30 August 1860The Emerald, 51, screw, Capt. A. Cumming, arrived at Spithead yesterday morning from Alderney, with two batteries of Royal Artillery on board, under the command of Major Lennox. They were disembarked by steamtug, and joined the head-quarters of the 15th brigade, stationed in Portsmouth garrison. The Emerald will have to be placed in dock, having on Tuesday morning, while getting under way in Alderney harbour, and in charge of a pilot, struck on a rock on the ebb tide, where she hung until released by the returning flood. Her discharge-pipe is broken by the ship's straining while on the rock, but her other damages are not thought to be very serious. Hawsers were got out, and every precaution taken, by Capt. Cumming and the officers of the ship to prevent her receiving any more injury than was unavoidable while she lay in her perilous position.
Sa 1 September 1860The Emerald, 51, screw, Capt. H. Cumming, at Spithead has been surveyed by the authorities of the port, and awaits further orders from the Admiralty.
Ma 3 September 1860The Emerald, 51, screw, Capt. A. Cumming, steamed into Portsmouth harbour yesterday morning at high water from Spithead. She will be placed in No. 7 dock, to repair, any damage she may have received on the occasion of her recent mishap in Alderney harbour.
Tu 4 September 1860The Emerald, 51, screw, Capt. A. Cumming was placed in No. 7 dock yesterday at Portsmouth, for examination and repairs.
Sa 15 September 1860The Emerald, 51, screw, Capt. A. Cumming, and the Eagle, 50, Commander Strode, have been removed from the steam basin at Portsmouth, and berthed alongside their hulks in the harbour.
Sa 22 September 1860The Emerald, 51, screw steamer, Capt. Arthur Cumming, having completed repairs at Portsmouth, steamed out of harbour yesterday and anchored at Spithead, to take in powder and shell. She is expected to sail for the Downs.
We 26 September 1860COURT CIRCULAR. Antwerp, Sept. 23.
Her Majesty the Queen and the Prince Consort, accompanied by the Princess Alice, embarked at Gravesend in the Royal yacht Victoria and Albert, at half-past 5 o'clock yesterday.
Her Majesty was received by Viscount Sydney, the Lord-Lieutenant of the county of Kent, and Commodore Superintendent the Hon. James Drummond, and the Mayor and Corporation of Gravesend.
The Royal yacht left the pier at a quarter before 6 o'clock.
The following vessels followed the Royal yacht :- The Osborne, Black Eagle, Vivid, and the Trinity yacht Irene, which had on board the Deputy Master of the Trinity-House.
Her Majesty's ships St. George, Captain the Hon. F. Egerton; Emerald, Captain Cumming; Firebrand, Commander Bruce, together with the Royal yacht Fairy, preceded the Victoria and Albert, and awaited her arrival in the Scheldt.
The Royal Squadron anchored for the night at the Nore, the darkness rendering it unadvisable to proceed further. The vessels were under way at 5 o'clock this morning, and after an unusually fine and tranquil passage arrived off Flushing at half-past 12 o'clock p.m.
The Royal yacht was saluted by the forts at Flushing, and the English men-of-war manned yards and also saluted.
Upon entering the Sheldt the state of the tide rendered it necessary to slacken the speed of the yacht, and she proceeded slowly to ascend the river, and at 6 p.m. anchored off Antwerp.
The weather, which had been remarkably fine, changed at about half-past 4 o'clock, and the rain was very heavy.
As soon as the Royal yacht anchored at Antwerp the British Consul came on board to receive any orders that Her Majesty might have to give.
In attendance upon Her Majesty on board the Victoria and Albert were Lady Churchill, Lady In Waiting; the Hon. Mary Bulteel, Maid of Honour; Lord John Russell, Secretary of State; Major-General the Hon. C. Grey and Colonel Ponsonby, Equerries in Waiting; Colonel the Hon. Sir C. Phipps and Dr. Baly.
Her Majesty will land at half-past 7 o'clock to-morrow morning, and proceed by railway to Frankfort, whew she will pass the night.
Th 27 September 1860THE QUEENS ARRIVAL AT COBURG.
(From the Supplement to the London Gazette of Tuesday, Sept. 25. - Wednesday, Sept. 26.)
Whitehall, Sept. 26.
The Right Hon. Sir George Cornewall Lewis, has received a despatch from the Right Hon. Lord John Russell, dated Sept. 25, 6 P.M.., announcing that the Queen arrived at Coburg at 5 o'clock that afternoon.
(From the Court Circular.)
Antwerp, Sept. 24.
At half-past 7 o'clock this morning His Majesty the King of the Belgians, accompanied by his Royal Highness the Duke of Brabant, her Imperial and Royal Highness the Duchess of Brabant, and his Royal Highness the Count of Flanders, proceeded in His Majesty's barge on board the Victoria and Albert. They were received by Her Majesty the Queen, the Prince Consort, and the Princess Alice. The Ladies and Gentlemen of the suite were in attendance. Shortly afterwards the Royal party entered the barge of the King and went on shore, landing at the Quay, where a Guard of Honour was stationed, and thence were conveyed, together with the attendants upon their Majesties, in the carriages of the King of the Belgians, through Antwerp to the railway station.
The King and the Belgian Royal family accompanied the Queen and Prince to Vervieres.
At Aix la Chapelle the Prince Regent of Prussia received Her Majesty at the station. His Royal Highness, together with his brother, Prince Charles, accompanied Her Majesty as far as Darew. Colonel Count Golz was left by his Royal Highness to attend upon Her Majesty to Mayence.
Lord Howard de Walden, Her Majesty's Minister at Brussels, travelled in Her Majesty's suite from Antwerp to Vervieres, where Lord Bloomfield, Her Majesty's Minister at Berlin, awaited Her Majesty's arrival. Sir Alexander Malet was [in] attendance from Mayence to Frankfort to receive Her Majesty's commands, and the British Consuls at the different towns upon the route paid their respects to Her Majesty.
At Frankfort the Princess of Prussia, with their Royal Highnesses the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Baden, received Her Majesty, and afterwards dined in private with Her Majesty, the Prince Consort, and the Princess Alice.
Prince George of Saxony called likewise in the evening to pay his respects to the Queen on behalf of His Majesty the King of Saxony.
The Queen and Prince received at Vervieres, by telegraph, the melancholy and unexpected intelligence of the death, at 7 o'clock this morning, at Gotha, of the Duchess Dowager of Saxe-Coburg Gotha, stepmother to the Prince Consort. Her Royal Highness had for some time been in very precarious health, but there had been no reason to apprehend an additional or immediate cause for alarm.
The Queen and Prince proceed to Coburg to-morrow, and will live in strict retirement.
Tu 23 October 1860The Emerald, 51, screw, Captain Arthur Cumming, arrived at Spithead at 9 a.m. yesterday, under canvas, from the Scheldt.
Tu 6 November 1860That portion of the Channel squadron stationed at Plymouth are reefing studding-sail gear, and making other preparations for proceeding to Lisbon. It is reported that the flagship Royal Albert may sail to-day.
The Centurion, 80, Capt. H.D. Rogers, received her powder on Friday afternoon.
On Monday morning the riggers of the Devonport dock-yard were admitted before the usual hour, for the purpose of unmooring the screw steamship Aboukir, 90, Capt. Douglas Curry, which will then be taken from Hamoaze into the Sound; she received her powder when in the inner harbour. The despatch of these ships to the Tagus was unexpected at Plymouth.
The Emerald, 51, screw, Capt. Arthur Cumming, sailed from Spithead early on Sunday morning for Plymouth Sound and Lisbon.
We 7 November 1860Rear-Admiral Robert F. Stopford's port division of the Channel squadron, in Plymouth Sound, received orders on Monday evening to prepare for sailing yesterday (Tuesday) morning for Lisbon; and the ships were supplied by Mr. W.F. Collier, the Portuguese Vice-Consul, with bills of health for that city,- a course not frequently observed. They consist of the flagship Royal Albert, 12l, Capt. Henry D. Lacon, Conqueror, 101, Capt. E.S. Sotheby, C.B.; Donegal, 101, Capt. Henry Broadhead; Aboukir, 90, Capt. Douglas Curry; Centurion, 80, Capt. H.D. Rogers, C.B.; and Emerald, 51, Capt. Arthur Cumming. At an early hour yesterday (Tuesday) morning, they picked up their small bower anchors, and at 11 o'clock fires were lighted under the boilers of the Royal Albert and Aboukir. At 1 p.m. the ships were detained for despatches. At 2 the Conqueror, Centurion, and Donegal left the Sound under canvas, and the Royal Albert and Aboukir under steam. They would soon put out their fires, as the wind continues strong from the eastward. The Emerald hauled down her blue-peter at 11, and will not sail with the rest, but remain at Plymouth for the stragglers, of whom there are about 200 on shore without leave.
Fr 9 November 1860Most of the stragglers from the port division of the Channel squadron have gone on board the screw steam-frigate Emerald, 51, screw, Capt. Arthur Cumming, in Plymouth Sound, preparing to follow Admiral Stopford to Lisbon.
Ma 12 November 1860The screw steam-frigate Emerald, 51, Capt. Arthur Cumming, having embarked men left behind from the squadron, sailed from Plymouth Sound on Friday afternoon under canvas for the Tagus.
Fr 21 December 1860The flagship Royal Albert, 121, Capt. Henry Lacon; the Conqueror, 101, Capt. Edward S. Sotheby, C.B.; the Donegal, 101, Capt. Henry Broadhead; the Aboukir, 90, Capt. Douglas Curry; and the Emerald, 51, Capt. Arthur Cumming, which left Lisbon on the 10th inst., entered Plymouth Sound yesterday. They were under canvas until Monday, when steam was got up, in order to arrive by the time appointed. Fine weather was experienced until Wednesday evening, when a heavy squall carried away the Emerald's mainyard close off in the slings. The Centurion, 80, Capt. Henry B. Rogers, C.B., will remain up the Tagus until the arrival from Gibraltar of the St. Jean d'Acre, 101, Capt. Thomas P. Thomson, which she will supply with provisions, and then join the Channel squadron at Plymouth. The crews are all healthy.
Sa 22 December 1860The mainmast of the flagship Royal Albert, 121, at Plymouth, is said to have sustained damage on the passage out to Lisbon, owing to the mainstay having given way.
The ships in the Sound, belonging to the Channel squadron, discharged their powder yesterday morning. Admiral Stopford's ship, the Royal Albert, 121, Capt. Henry J Lacon; the Conqueror, 101, Capt. Edward S. Sotheby, C.B., and the Donegal, 101, Capt. Broadhead, went up Hamoaze; the Aboukir and the Emerald are likely to follow.
Ma 24 December 1860The screw steamship Aboukir, 90, Capt. Douglas Curry and the screw steam frigate Emerald, 51, Capt. Arthur Cumming, went on Saturday afternoon from Plymouth Sound into Hamoaze.
The mainmast of the screw steamship Royal Albert, 121, at Devonport, is decayed. Her sails were sent to the Devonport Dockyard on Saturday. The crew are paid down, and granted 21 days' absence on leave. It is probable the crews of the Centurion, Donegal, Aboukir, and the Emerald will also be paid down, and that they will be provided with passages to the home ports.
Tu 1 January 1861The port division of the Channel squadron will probably continue some time at Plymouth. The screw steamship Royal Albert, 121, 850-horse power, is in Hamoaze; Admiral Stopford and Capt. Lacon are both on leave, and so is a large portion of her crew, who were paid down on the 23d ult. Her mainmast, reported to be defective, is stripped, and ready for inspection this week. There is some gossip at Devonport about transferring her crew to the Howe, which carries the same number of guns, but has a superiority of 150 horses in her engines, which are of 1,000-horse power. The masts of the Howe are not yet on board. The crew of the screw steam-frigate Emerald, 51, Capt. Arthur B. Cumming, do not expect to leave Hamoaze before April. The Aboukir, 90, Capt. Douglas Curry, has, it is said, been ashore, and will therefore most likely be docked in Keyham steam-yard. The Conqueror, 101, Capt. Edward S. Sotheby, will be placed in dock on account of the defective condition of her valves. The Donegal, 101, Capt. Henry Broadhead, is also in Hamoaze. When in the Tagus a valuable seaman lost his life. He was one of the ship's corporals, and had been absent on duty by night. When alongside he took two lanterns in each hand, stepped from the boat on to the stage or platform, walked overboard, and was unfortunately drowned. It appears that while the Donegal was at Lisbon her side ladder was drawn up by night. When this is done it is the duty of some one to fasten a rope across the opening left. On the night in question the rope was omitted to be fastened; hence the loss of the life of a valuable petty officer while attending to the service of his ship.
Fr 18 January 1861The screw steam frigate Emerald, 51, Capt. A. Cumming, has been supplied with a main yard.
Ma 21 January 1861The capstan of the screw steam frigate Emerald, 51, Captain Arthur Cumming, at Devonport, is defective.
Su 3 February 1861The screw steam frigate Emerald, 51, Capt. A. Cumming will be complete in her fitting for the reception of a flag officer on Saturday next.
Fr 15 February 1861The screw steam frigate Emerald, 51, Capt. Arthur Cumming, went from Hamoaze on Saturday outside Plymouth breakwater, to try her machinery.
Tu 16 April 1861The Emerald, 51, screw, Captain Arthur Cumming, arrived at Spithead yesterday morning, under fore and aft sail and steam, from Devonport. She will convey Rear-Admiral Richard Laird Warren and suite to his command of the Forte frigate, as Commander-in-Chief on the South American station
We 17 April 1861The Emerald, 51, screw, Capt. A. Cumming, at Spithead, has a defect in her auxilliary feed-engine pump-box, which will have to be made good before she proceeds to sea.
Fr 19 April 1861Rear-Admiral R.L. Warren hoisted his flag (blue at the mizzen) yesterday on board the Emerald, 51, screw, Captain A. Cumming, at Spithead, under the usual honorary salutes.
Sa 27 April 1861The Emerald, 51, screw, Capt. A. Cumming, at Spithead, is expected to sail for the Brazils to-day, or early tomorrow morning, calling in at Plymouth Sound.
Tu 30 April 1861Rear-Admiral Richard Laird Warren, the newly-appointed Commander-in-Chief on the Brazil station, embarked yesterday on board the Emerald, 51, screw, Capt. Arthur Cumming, lying at Spithead. At 3.30 p.m., the Emerald was proceeding out of Spithead by the eastern channel, under steam, on her way down Channel, to convey the gallant Admiral to Ascension, to his flagship, the Forte, 51, screw. It is expected that the Emerald will call in at Plymouth Sound on her way down Channel.
We 1 May 1861The screw steam frigate Emerald, 51, Capt. A. Cumming, flag of Rear-Admiiral F. Warren, from Spithead, arrived in Plymouth Sound yesterday morning, at 7 o'clock. A vessel with coal was sent alongside immediately, and steam tugs to receive supernumerary seamen and marines brought home from China by the Inflexible. The Emerald was supplied with a draught of boys from the Royal Adelaide, and a number of artisans from Keyham steamyard joined her for passage to South America. The customary salutes were exchanged with Port Admiral Sir Houston Stewart, who received Admiral Warren at Mount Wise during the forenoon.
Th 2 May 1861The screw-steam frigate Emerald, 51, Commander A. Cumming, flag of Rear-Admiral Warren, having received supernumeraries in Plymouth Sound, left about 5 o'clock on Tuesday afternoon, under steam, for South America.
Ma 5 August 1861The screw steam frigate Emerald, 51, Capt. Arthur Cumming, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral of the White the Hon. Sir Henry Keppel, K.C.B., from South America, and the iron screw steam troopship Megaera, 6, Commander Henderson, from Corfu, Malta, and Gibraltar, arrived in Plymouth Sound yesterday evening. The Emerald will disembark invalids and supernumeraries, and then proceed to Spithead. The Megaera has troops, invalids, and other passengers, including some engineers, who will land at Plymouth.
Tu 6 August 1861The screw steam frigate Emerald, 51, Capt. Arthur Cumming, flag of Rear-Admiral the Hon. Sir Henry Keppel, K.C.B., from South America, which arrived at Plymouth on Sunday afternoon, left again in the evening for Spithead. As the frigate departed those on board were cheered most lustily by the crews of the Donegal, 99, and the Surprise, 4, at anchor in the Sound. The Emerald left Bahia on the 4th of July, St. Vincent on the 18th, and Fayal (where pratique was refused) on the 28th. She spoke, in long. 24.9 W., lat. 10.20 N., the bark Arab, of London, bound to Bahia. Mr. Christie, Envoy to the Court of Brazil, landed from her at Plymouth.
Tu 13 August 1861His Majesty the King of Sweden arrived at Osborne last evening on a visit to Her Majesty. Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Prince Contort, on board the Victoria and Albert, with the Emerald, 51, screw, Capt. A. Cumming, in attendance, steamed out to meet and welcome the King.
Tu 1 October 1861A number of Armstrong 100 and 30 pounder guns, with their fittings, shot, shell, &c, have been already set aside by the Ordanance authorities at Portsmouth for the service of the North America and West India squadron, and according to present arrangements, the Emerald, 51 screw, capt. A. Cumming, will at once embark the guns and stores apportioned to the Nile, St. George, and Cadmus, and sail with them to Halifax.
Sa 5 October 1861The Emerald, 50, screw, Capt. A. Cumming, under orders for Halifax, with Armstrong guns, shot, &c., for the West India squadron, embarked supernumeraries at Spithead yesterday. She is expected to leave before daylight this morning.
Ma 7 October 1861The Emerald, 50, screw, Capt. A. Cumming, sailed from Spithead at mid-day on Sunday for Halifax, with Armstrong guns, stores, &c.
We 6 November 1861The screw steam frigate Emerald, 51, capt. Arthur Cumming, which left Spithead October 5, with supernumeries for Halifax, put back damaged to Plymouth Sound yesterday morning, as reported in the second edition of the Times. She reached as far as the banks of Newfoundland, where she experienced very heavy weather, and was compelled to bear up for the Channel. The frigate has lost three quarter-boats, port davit, spare topsail yard, and other spars. She had her main yard sprung and sails split, stern post sprung, &c. The engines and machinery were so much damaged by the rolling of the ship that considerable time was occupied in getting under steam. Eleven days were occupied in returning to Plymouth. One marine had his leg broken by the shot which got adrift from the racks in the storm. The principals of the various departments connected with the Devonport Dockyard went at noon in the steamtug Pike to the Emerald in the Sound, to survey her defects. She will be taken into Hamoaze for repair without delay.
Th 7 November 1861The return of the Emerald, 51, to the Sound, after an ineffectual effort to reach Halifax, has created considerable interest among the naval community at Plymouth. It appears that the frigate, which left Spithead on the 5th of October, encountered on the 10th, 11th, 13th, and subsequently a succession of heavy gales from north-north-west to south-south-west, from the effects of which she was compelled on the 22d to put back, being then in lat. 48 N., and long. 37 W. During all this time there was excessive rolling, accelerated, it is said, by the weight of her armament. Although thoroughly caulked before departure, she leaked "like a sieve" after the first gale. Subsequently some of the beams and knees in the lower deck and the after sternpost were stared. The ship's pumps were broken, and the discharge pipe of the engines split, by which and other injuries they were several days in a disabled state, It is satisfactory to know that the crew continued well disciplined throughout the storm and its contingencies. The Emerald passed the Warrior and Revenge in the chops of the Channel on Monday night. Yesterday she got up steam, and, aided by the steamtugs Prospero and Zephyr, proceeded from the Sound into Hamoaze. It is conjectured that the Emerald will not now go to Halifax, but direct from Plymouth, to Vera Cruz.
Ma 11 November 1861

That portion of the expeditionary battalion of Royal Marines for service in Mexico selected from the Plymouth division, about 400 men, was inspected on the parade on Friday last by Col.-Commandant Holloway, C.B., in the presence of Port-Admiral Sir Houston Stewart and the Commander of Forces in the West, Major-Gen. Hutchinson. On Saturday the men embarked on board the Sans pareil, Donegal, and Conqueror. The two last-named ships have received eight Armstrong guns from the frigate Emerald.

The Shannon, 51, screw, in the 1st class of the reserve at Portsmouth, is held in readiness to proceed from that port to Devonport should it be found expedient to transfer Capt. Cumming, his officers, and crew from the Emerald to another ship, owing to the injuries tho Emerald received off the banks of Newfoundland during the severe gales she fell in with there.

Tu 12 November 1861The repairs of the screw steam frigate Emerald, 51, Capt. Arthur Cumming, at Plymouth, are ordered to be completed forthwith. She would have been placed in the basin at Keyham Steamyard yesterday, but for the boisterous state of the weather.
We 13 November 1861Yesterday orders were received from the Admiralty to prepare the Shannon, 51, screw, for sea within 12 hours. The machinery was found to work perfectly, and, as the vessel has been rigged in a very superior manner, and is fitted even to her boats, gripes, and chafing mats, her future captain will be enabled to proceed to sea in her at a much earlier period from the date of her commission than he would with many other ships that have been dockyard rigged. Capt. Arthur Cumming, for whom the frigate is destined, is expected to arrive at Portsmouth, this morning, with part of the officers and crew of the Emerald. He will at once convey the Shannon round to Devonport, where the remainder of the Emerald's crew will turn over to her. He will then resume his voyage, which he was compelled by stress of weather to relinquish in the Emerald.
Ma 18 November 1861THE MEXICAN SQUADRON.- The force under the command of Vice-Admiral Sir Alexander Milne, K.C.B., in the West Indies, has been very much increased since we last made allusion to it. Allowing the Medea to take the place of the Driver (lost), and adding the crews of the Donegal, Conqueror, and Sans pareil, and the battalion of Marines which these ships are now taking to the Gulf of Mexico, Sir Alexander will have very nearly 9,500 seamen and Marines at his disposal, and 750 guns. The Phaeton and Emerald (or the Shannon, if the latter cannot be got ready in time) will also proceed to the scene of action, carrying with them 102 guns and 1,140 seamen and Marines, making a grand total of, in round numbers, 850 guns, and 10,600 seamen and Marines. Other reinforcements, which are ready at hand, will follow if necessary; but of course it will be understood that the whole of the above are not intended to act against the Mexicans, as the ordinary requirements of the service will demand the presence of some of the vessels at different parts of the Admiral's station. The Gazette of last night contains the following notice:- "Rear-Admiral of the White Sir Alexander Milne, K.C.B., to be Vice-Admiral of the Blue, until further orders, and while employed as Commander-in-Chief of Her Majesty's ships and vessels within the limits of the North American and West India station."- Army and Navy Gazette.
Ma 25 November 1861Orders from the Lords of the Admiralty were received at the Devonport dockyard on Saturday to expedite the repairs of the screw steam frigate Emerald, 51, Capt. Arthur Cumming. She will take on board the armament of two gunboats and supernumeraries for the ships on the Brazilian station. The gunboats Sheldrake and Spider are brought forward at Devonport, and will in all probability be sent to the Brazils. They will be furnished with Armstrong guns.
We 27 November 1861The gunboats Sheldrake and Spider are fitting at Devonport for immediate commission. Each will have a complement of 40 men, and will be supplied with Armstrong guns They will be convoyed by the frigate Emerald to the southeast coast of South America for duty on that station
Fr 6 December 1861The screw steam fngate Emerald, 51, Capt. A. Cumming, got up steam yesterday morning in Hamoaze, and proceeded outside Plymouth Breakwater for a trial of her machinery. She subsequently anchored in the Sound, and commenced taking in her powder. At Plymouth it is reported that she will accompany the troopship Melbourne, Capt. Benson, to Halifax.
Ma 9 December 1861

The steam transport Melbourne, laden with a heavy freight of war stores for America, having embarked her troops at Woolwich on Friday, as announced in The Times, sailed on the following day at half-past 2.p.m. The long and spacious platform of the Royal Arsenal Pier was thronged during the process of getting under way by officers of the garrison, and their families, including General Sir Richard Dacres and his Staff, Commodore Sir Frederick Nicolson, &c. As soon as the ship had veered round from her moorings, and was fairly on her course, the spectators gave a hearty "God speed," which was immediately followed by tho waving of caps and handkerchiefs and shouts of applause. The shouts then commenced on board, and were repeatedly heard when the Melbourne was far down the Thames, testifying in a perfectly unmistakeable manner to the feelings of the troops.

The screw steam frigate Emerald, 51, Capt. Arthur Cumming, at Plymouth, has received supernumeraries for the ships on the West India station, and waits the arrival of the Melbourne.

Ma 16 December 1861The screw steam frigate Emerald, 51, Capt. Arthur Cumming, put back to Plymouth Sound on Saturday, as reported in the Second Edition of The Times; she has been as far as the Bay of Biscay, and made but little progress under both sail and steam, having encountered very heavy gales from the south-west, in one of which she carried away the yoke of her steering wheel. She returned in consequence. Her boats have also been slightly damaged. The Emerald left Portsmouth, originally on particular service, and during an absence of a month incurred such injuries on the bank of Newfoundland that she was compelled to put back. Her stem-post, knee, &c., were repaired in dock, and she left the Sound again on Monday last, the 9th inst., for the North American station.
Sa 21 December 1861The screw steam frigate Emerald, 51, Capt. Arthur Cumming, continues in Plymouth Sound ready for sea. She will probably be detained until Monday or Tuesday.
Tu 24 December 1861The screw steam frigate Emerald, 51, Capt. A. Cumming, continued in Plymouth Sound up to yesterday morning. The new yoke for her rudder, ordered on Saturday the 14th inst., was sent on board on Friday the 20th. It spreads 11 feet, and weighs 10 cwt. 2 qrs. 17 lb.; the arms are about 2 1/2 inches by 4 to 5 1/2 inches. Casualties like those which occurred to this frigate are of much more frequent occurrence now than formerly, owing, it is thought, to the great projection of the rudders of screw ships beyond the sternpost, by which they are more exposed to the violence of the sea. Naval men at Plymouth consider that the subject is entitled to serious attention, and that a second rudder of some kind is requisite in such ships. In the recent case of the Emerald it happens that loss of time is the only inconvenience. It is fearful to contemplate the consequences which might result to the frigate and her crew from a similar casualty on a lee shore.
Th 26 December 1861The screw steam frigate Emerald, 51, Capt. Cumming, which haa been some days at Plymouth expecting to sail direct for Halifax, received orders yesterday to leave the Sound to-morrow for Liverpool, there to await further instructions.
Sa 28 December 1861The gunboats Amelia, Lieut. Cheyne, and Escort, Lieut. Woodman, two of the advanced gunboat flotilla at Portsmonth, received sailing orders yesterday for Liverpool. They will call at Plymouth Sound, whence the Emerald, 51, screw, Capt. A. Cumming, will accompany them. Powder and shell were hurried on board yesterday afternoon. After dark they were taken to Spithead, where it was expected they would anchor for the night, resuming their voyage at daylight this morning. The Mersey was not the originally assigned destination of the Amelia and Escort; but the authorities, in order to provide efficiently for the defence of the port, have set aside previous arrangements.
Sa 28 December 1861The Pandora, 5, screw, hoisted her pendant of commission at Portsmouth yesterday by Lieut. Hon. James T. Fitzmaurice, of Her Majesty's ship Majestic, 80, screw, lying in the Mersey, to which vessel the Pandora will be attached as tender, Lieut. Fitzmaurice and a party of seamen having arrived at Portsmouth from Liverpool yesterday morning to navigate the Pandora round to the Mersey. She took in her powder and shell last evening, moved her position from alongside the north wall of the steam-basin to a fairway buoy in the harbour, and will sail for the Mersey this morning.

The gunboats Amelia, Lieut. Cheyne, and Escort, Lieut. Woodman, two of the advanced gunboat flotilla at Portsmouth, received sailing orders yesterday for Liverpool. They will call at Plymouth Sound, whence the Emerald, 51, screw, Capt. A. Cumming, will accompany them. Powder and shell were hurried on board yesterday afternoon. After dark they were taken to Spithead, where it was expected they would anchor for the night, resuming their voyage at daylight this morning. The Mersey was not the originally assigned destination of the Amelia and Escort; but the authorities, in order to provide efficiently for the defence of the port, have set aside previous arrangements.
We 29 January 1862From Her Majesty's ship Medusa, which left the British Commander-in-Chief on the 5th of January for New York, we learn that the destination of most of the ships on the West India station will be changed in consequence of the pacific tone of the news from Washington. The Mersey, 50, is ordered up to Bermuda; the St. George, 86, carrying His Royal Highness Prince Alfred, is to return home immediately in consequence of the death of the Prince Consort. The Donegal, 100, is to sail for the Gulf of Mexico, to fill the place of the St. George. The Conqueror, 100, will follow in the same direction. The Nile, 90, with the Admiral's flag, was at Bermuda, as well as the Diadem, 32. The Hero, Aboukir, and Emerald, recenly despatched from England, had not yet arrived at Bermuda; in fact, Her Majesty's ship Donegal was the only ship of the Channel fleet which had joined Admiral Milne on the 5th of January.
Th 6 February 1862The screw steam frigate Emerald, 51, Capt. Arthur Cumming, with the gunvessel Lee, from Liverpool, is expected to call at Plymouth.
Ma 10 February 1862The screw steam frigate Emerald, 51, Capt. A. Cumming, from Liverpool and Milford, arrived in Plymouth Sound on Saturday evening.
We 12 February 1862The Emerald, screw frigate, Capt. A. Cumming, arrived at Spithead yesterday morning from the westward.
Fr 21 February 1862The Emerald and Shannon, screw frigates, at Spithead, have discharged their extra 32-poundera (16 each), and have each received four l00-pounder Armstrong guns, thus rendering them now, in fact, 40-gun frigates. The Emerald has also landed her 8-inch guns, which are being replaced by others of the same calibre that have been re-vented.
Tu 25 February 1862The men discharged from the Emerald and Shannon at Spithead, under recent regulations, have been placed on board the Blonde hulk in Portsmouth harbour, under command of Lieutenant J.B. Mitchell, of Her Majesty's ship Victory, and are to be employed for the present in the dockyard, receiving check money.
Th 27 February 1862The screw steamship Revenge, 89, Capt. Charles Fellowes, flag of Rear-Admiral Robert Smart, from Queenstown; the Trafalgar, 86, Capt. John B. Dickson; and the Emerald, 51, Capt. Arthur Cumming, from Portsmouth, are expected at Plymouth.
Ma 10 March 1862The Shannon, 35, screw, Capt. J.B. Wainwright; the Emerald, 35, screw, Capt. A. Cumming; the Chanticleer, 17, screw, Commander Stirling; and the Vigilant, 5, screw, Commander Pike, all at anchor at Spithead, are under orders to proceed on a cruise in the Channel, at the close of which they will rendezvous at Queenstown.
We 12 March 1862The Shannon, 40, Capt. J.B. Wainwright, and Emerald, 40, screw, Capt. H. Cumming, have sailed from Spithead in search of the Victoria screw troopship, which vessel, as announced in The Times of yesterday, is expected by this time to be making the best of her way towards England with disabled machinery.
Fr 18 April 1862The screw steam-frigate Emerald, 35, Capt. Arthur Cumming, from Queenstown, arrived in Plymouth Sound on Wednesday afternoon. She brought 86 supernumerary seamen, who were transferred to the flagship Royal Adelaide.
Tu 6 May 1862The screw steam sloop Chanticleer, 17, Commander Charles Stirling, left Plymouth Sound, under canvas, on Friday morning, for Portland. The screw steam ship St George, 89, Captain the Hon. F. Egerton, left in the afternoon for the same destination. They were followed by the screw steam frigate Emerald, 51, Capt, A. Cumming. It is reported at Plymouth that these ships will rendezvous at Leith before proceeding into the Baltic.
Tu 3 June 1862PRINCE ALFRED AND THE CHANNEL FLEET.- The division of the Channel Fleet which passed last week in Great Yarmouth Roads consisted of the Revenge, 90, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Smart; the Trafalgar, 90, the Emerald, 51; the Chanticleer, 17; and the Porpoise gunboat. It was joined on Sunday by the St. George, 90, with Prince Alfred on board. The St. George took up a position in a line with the Revenge, the Trafalgar and the Emerald; the Chanticleer (corvette) lies rather further out to sea. The ships yesterday morning presented a very beautiful appearance, their sails hanging lightly in the brails to be dried. The weather was delightful, and the sea was calm and unruffled. Large numbers of visitors put off from the shore for the purpose of going on board the squadron. The Prince is not much seen, and it is understood that he will remain in retirement during his stay in the Roads, which is expected to extend until to-morrow, at least. On Saturday evening the Mayor and several of the leading inhabitants were entertained at dinner by Rear-Admiral Smart on board the St. George; and last evening the gallant Admiral, and the Captains and officers of the various ships composing the squadron, were to attend a ball at the Town-hall. It is uncertain whether Prince Alfred will be present. The shipping in the harbour and the principal establishments in the town made a gay display of flags yesterday in honour of his Royal Highness, and the Yarmouth Battery of Artillery Volunteers fired early in the morning a Royal salute of 21 guns. A cricket match was played yesterday between the officers of the squadron and the Great Yarmouth Club The Fleet "eleven" was made up as follows:- Lieutenant Vidal, St. George; Mr. E.M. Watson, midshipman, St. George; Mr. Milman, midshipman, Emerald; Lieutenant Lord J. Scott, Emerald; Lieutenant Molyneux, Emerald; Lieutenant Key, Revenge; Mr. G.H. Lawson, midshipman, Revenge; Mr. E.W. Goldson, assistant-paymaster, St. George; Sub-lieutenant Stewart, Revenge; Mr. Isaacson, R.M., Revenge; and Lieutenant Gordon, Revenge. The Fleet eleven went in first, and had scored 32 with the loss of two wickets when our report was despatched. The match was played on the South Denes, near the monument to Lord Nelson.
We 4 June 1862PRINCE ALFRED AND THE CHANNEL FLEET.- The Revenge, 90, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Smart; the Trafalgar, 90; the St. George, 90; the Emerald, 51; the Chanticleer, 17; and the Porpoise gunboat still remained yesterday in Great Yarmouth Roads, although the squadron is expected to quit the roadstead some time to-day. Prince Alfred has remained as retired as possible, although the townspeople have evinced every desire to make a lion of him. On Monday it transpired that two officers and a youth had left by train for Norwich, and, although they travelled with second-class tickets, it was supposed that this was done with a view to maintain a strict incognito. A rumour, founded on these facts, that Prince Alfred intended to visit old Norwich, reached that city long before the train conveying the supposed distinguished passenger, and the municipal authorities straightway bestirred themselves to make some suitable demonstration in his honour. A hospitable canon of the Cathedral, presuming that the Prince would visit that venerable edifice, went to the length, of preparing a recherché lunch, but the Mayor, more cautions, telegraphed to Yarmouth to ascertain the truth of the reported visit. The reply was that the Royal stranger was still in Yarmouth, and, of course, the Mayor profited by his prudent inquiries. It had come, however, to be generally bruited about in Norwich that the Prince had actually visited the city, and hundreds went down to the Cathedral in the delusive hope of finding him there. All the while the object of this eager watchfulness was at Yarmouth, where he lunched with Mr. Manners Sutton at 3, Kimberley-terrace, afterwards visiting, at Trafalgar-house, Mrs. De Carle, a relative of his tutor, Mr. Onslow. Whenever his Royal Highness appeared in the streets he was followed by an attendant crowd, and on more than one occasion the enthusiasm found vent in irrepressible cheering. Even up to half-past 8 in the evening, when he embarked from the Britannia-pier for the St. George, his Royal Highness had to endure these well-meant attentions. Yesterday morning he remained perfectly retired. The Admiral of the squadron and a numerous party of officers were present at a call at the Town-hall on Monday evening; but the Prince, in consideration of his recent painful bereavement, abstained from joining in the festivities, which were prolonged to about 3 o'clock yesterday morning. About 160 ladies and gentlemen attended the ball, which passed off very agreeably. The cricket match played on the Denes on Monday between 11 officers from the fleet and an eleven from the Yarmouth Club terminated, as indeed it was expected it would, in favour of the visitors, who made 50 runs in their first innings and 86 in their second, while the Yarmouth side scored 56 and 30 respectively. The ships, which have taken in large quantities of fresh provisions, vegetables, and water, were visited yesterday by considerable numbers, but the attendance of strangers would probably have been much larger if cheaper transport facilities had been afforded by the Eastern Counties Railway Company. It may be added with regard to the armament of the ships composing the squadron that it does not correspond with the nominal numerical equipment. Thus the St. George, although, pierced for 90 guns, has only 86 on board; the Revenge, although pierced for 90, only 70; the Trafalgar, although pierced for 90, only 73; and the Emerald, although pierced for 51, only 35. These discrepancies are occasioned by the substitution of Armstrongs for ordinary guns.
Th 12 June 1862Her Majesty's screw steamships Revenge, 73, Capt. Charles Fellowes, flag of Rear-Admiral Robert Smart, K.H., and the Trafalgar, 70, Capt. John B. Dixon, the screw steam frigate Emerald, 35, Capt. Arthur Cumming, and the screw steam sloop Chanticleer, 17, Commander Charles Stirling, from the eastward, arrived in Plymouth Sound yesterday morning.
Fr 13 June 1862The gale which commenced from the southward and westward on Tuesday at Plymouth continued more or less up to yesterday morning, when the wind was blowing strongly from the south-east. All the ships of war in the Sound had taken in their light spars, lowered topgallant masts, and made all snug. It was reported there that the Revenge, Trafalgar, Emerald, Galatea, and Chanticleer were ordered to Milford, where they would be joined by the St. George, in order that Prince Alfred might be enabled to christen the iron-cased ship Prince Consort, 50, to be launched on the 26th inst.
Ma 30 June 1862The Channel fleet hove in sight off Portsmouth on Saturday afternoon, standing in for St. Helen's Roads, under canvass, on their return from Milford Haven. The Warrior, 40, iron frigate, Capt.the Hon, A.A. Cochrane,and the St. George, 86, screw; Capt. the Hon. Francis Egerton, made their way under steam into the anchorage at Spithead, The Elfin, Royal paddle yacht, met the St. George on her passage up to the roadstead, and His Royal Highness Prince Alfred, embarking on board, proceeded at once to Osborne. The Revenge, 89, screw, Capt. Charles Fellowes, bearing the flag of the Commander-in-Chief Rear-Admiral Robert Smart, K.H.; the Trafalgar, 86, screw, Capt. J.B. Dickson; the Emerald, screw frigate, Capt Arthur Cumming; and the Chanticleer, 17, screw, Commander Charles Stirling, anchored in St. Helen's Roads, a strong head wind and lee tide having prevented their reaching Spithead under sail alone. The flagship and Chanticleer are reported to have been on the ground.
Tu 15 July 1862The Channel Fleet have received orders for sea, and, according to arrangements existing yesterday, will sail from Spithead to-day for the Baltic, calling in at the Downs for pilots. The present intentions are for the fleet to proceed in the first instance to Stockholm, and afterwards to Riga, calling at Copenhagen on their return from the Baltic, sometime in the beginning of September. The Channel Fleet now anchored at Spithead comprises the Revenge, 89, screw, Capt, Charles Fellowes, flagship of the Commander-in-Chief, Rear-Admiral of the Red, Robert Smart, K.H.; St. George, 86, screw, Capt. Hon. Francis Egerton; Trafalgar, 86, screw, Capt. J.B. Dickson; Defence, 18, screw, iron frigate, Capt. R. Ashmore Powell, C.B.; Emerald, 40, screw, Capt. A. Cumming; Galatea, 28, screw, Capt. Rochfort Maguire; Chanticleer, 17, screw, Commander Charles Stirling; and Trinculo, 2, screw gunboat, of 60-horse power, tender to the Revenge, flagship. The Warrior, 40, screw iron frigate, Capt. Hon. A.A. Cochrane, in dock at Portsmouth, is detached from the Channel fleet, and consequently will not accompany the ships on their Baltic cruise. The Warrior will be undocked at Portsmouth to-day, and is expected to proceed round to the Mersey, beyond which she has no orders to extend her cruising at present.
We 16 July 1862The Channel Fleet sailed from Spithead yesterday for the Baltic. At 4 p.m. all the ships, with the exception of the Chanticleer, had weighed and stowed their anchors. The Emerald frigate led the way out of the anchorage under her three topsails, jib, spanker, and foretopmast staysail, before a strong westerly breeze, followed by the Revenge, carrying Rear-Admiral Smart's flag, under her three topsails, jib, and foresail. The St. George came next, under three topsails, jib, and foretopmast-staysail, succeeded by the Trafalgar, under the same sail, with the addition of her fore and main courses; the Galatea, with three topsails, jib, and staysail followed, and the Defence, under her double topsails, jib, and staysail, slowly moved up astern. South of the Warner light vessel the Emerald hove to, and the Admiral's ship passing took the lead of the line. The Trafalgar at the same time passed the St. George and took second place, with the St. George third. As soon as the line-of-battle ships had assumed their proper positions, the Emerald's sails were filled and she fell into her place astern of the St. George. The Galatea came next, followed by the Defence, which now let fall her fore and main courses to enable her to keep in her assigned position. As the Admiral's ship reared the Nab light vessel the Chanticleer had got her anchor at Spithead, and making sail brought up the rear of the line, about six miles astern of the leading ship. From the Nab light vessel a course was shaped to clear the Owers light ship, en route for the Downs, and soon after 5 p.m. the whole of the ships were out of sight from Portsmouth.
We 24 September 1862The St. George screw line-of-battle ship, Capt. the Hon. Francis Egerton, with his Royal Highness Prince Alfred on board; and the Chanticleer, 17, screw, Commander C. Stirling, arrived at Spithead yesterday morning from Kiel, as announced in our yesterday's second edition, and await orders at Spithead. The ships now at Spithead, in addition to the St. George and Chanticleer, are the Emerald, screw frigate, Capt. A. Cumming; the Galatea, screw frigate, Capt. R. Maguire; and the Resistance, screw iron frigate, Capt. Chamberlain. The last-named vessel was undocked yesterday at Portsmouth, and anchored at Spithead in readiness for her official trial of speed at the measured mile in Stokes Bay, ordered to take place this morning.
The Revenge, screw line-of-battle-ship, Capt. C. Fellowes (flag of Rear-Admiral Smart), moved her berth from alongside Portsmouth dockyard yesterday to alongside her hulk, to transfer her crew preparatory to going into dock.
Tu 21 October 1862The Revenge, screw line-of-battle ship, Capt. Charles Fellowes, flagship of the Commander-in-Chief of the Channel fleet, Rear-Admiral of the Red R. Smart, K.H., bent sails in Portsmouth harbour yesterday, on the completion of her repairs and refit, and will rejoin the fleet at Spithead anchorage to-day. The ships now at Spithead comprise the St. George, 86, screw, Capt. Hon. F. Egerton; Emerald, 36, screw, Capt. A. Cumming; Galatea, 26, screw, Capt. R. Maguire; Resistance, 16, screw, iron ram, Capt. Chamberlain; Defence, 16, screw, iron ram, Capt. Augustus Phillimore; Oberon, 3, paddle, Lieut.-Commander Morice; and Virago, 6, paddle, Commander Johnstone.
Th 18 December 1862The screw steam frigate Emerald, 50, Capt. A. Cumming, was appointed to leave Plymouth yesterday for Spithead, where she will receive a new screw for trial. It is expected that the crew will be paid off during the first week in January.
Fr 19 December 1862The screw steam-frigate Emerald, 36, Capt. Arthur Cumming, continued in Plymouth Sound up to yesterday morning, waiting orders from the Admiralty.
Sa 20 December 1862The Emerald, screw frigate, Capt. Arthur Cumming, arrived at Spithead yesterday from Plymouth Sound. She will be docked and otherwise prepared for entering upon the experimental series of screw trials which were left unfinished by the Shannon, screw frigate, Capt. O. Jones.
Ma 22 December 1862The Emerald, screw frigate, Capt. A. Cumming has anchored off Osborne, where she will remain during the stay of Her Majesty at her marine palace.
We 24 December 1862The screw steamship Tartar, Captain W. Tulley, which left Lisbon on the 17th inst, and called at Vigo on the 18th, arrived at Southampton at 9 a.m. yesterday... The Tartar does not bring any particular political news frorn Portugal. The people were gratified with the reasons His Majesty Don Fernando, father of Don Louis I., had given for declining the candidature for the throne of Greece, which Her Majesty's ship Emerald brought despatches to propose on behalf of England and France.
We 31 December 1862A court-martial assembled yesterday morning on board Her Majesty's ship Victory, at Portsmouth, to try Mr. Walter Jago, carpenter of Her Majesty's ship Emerald, on a charge of being drunk on or about the 17th of December. Evidence having been given by Commander Carter and Lieut. Garforth in support of the charge, the prisoner in his defence stated that on the previous night he had been up late with his friends. He attributed his demeanour on the following morning to weakness and nervousness, but denied being drunk. The Court found the charge proved, but, in consequence of the prisoner's length of service and previous good conduct, only adjudged him to be dismissed his ship and placed at the bottom of the list of second-class carpenters.
Th 8 January 1863The Pylades, 21, screw corvette, Capt. A.W.A. Hood, arrived at Spithead yesterday morning from the eastward, and on anchoring exchanged the usual salutes with the Victory, flagship of the Commander-in-Chief at the port. It is expected that the Pylades will relieve the Emerald off Osborne, to enable the latter to prepare for her experimental screw trials.
Th 29 January 1863The Duke of Somerset has conferred upon Capt. H. Broadhead, commanding Her Majesty's ship Asia and the steam reserve at Portsmouth, the good service pension which has lapsed to the Board in consequence of the appointment of Capt. Aldham C.B., to Greenwich Hospital. In addition to his sea service Captain Broadhead has rendered very important services as captain of the steam reserve at Portsmouth, among which maybe noticed the trials of the iron fleet - the Warrior, Black Prince, Defence, and Resistance - at the measured mile, the trials of the Warrior and Black Prince off the Wight, and the elaborate series of screw experimental trials made in the Shannon and ordered to be repeated in the Emerald.
Fr 13 February 1863The Emerald, 34, screw frigate, Capt, A. Cumming, has returned to Spithead from her anchorage off Osborne. On the 17th inst. she will go into Portsmouth harbour, and be placed in dock to prepare for a series of experimental trials with various forms of screw propellers at the measured mile in Stokes Bay. Eight distinct trials of the screws were carried out with the Shannon frigate, but the closing trials with the Griffiths propeller were not commenced, owing to the Shannon's departure for the Mediterranean. The employment of another ship on the trials will, of course, render it necessary to repeat with the Emerald those carried out with the Shannon.
Tu 17 February 1863The Emerald, 34, screw frigate, Capt. A. Cumming has gone into Portsmouth harbour, from Spithead, to be placed in dock and prepared for her trials of screw propellers.
Ma 23 February 1863The Emerald, screw frigate, Capt. A. Cumming, made her experimental screw trial at Portsmouth on Saturday. The screw tested on this occasion was of the same pattern as on the last, the common, or Admiralty, screw, with an increasing pitch of from 27 ft. 6 in. to 29 ft. 6 in. diameter, 18ft.; length, 3 ft. 6 in.; and immersion, 10 1/4 in. Six runs wvere made at the measured mile, the mean of the whole giving the ship a speed of 11.524 knots, with a mean revolution of engines of 53. The ship turned a full circle to port in 8 min. 49 sec, and to starboard in 10 min. 1 sec.
Fr 27 February 1863The Emerald, 34, screw, Capt. A. Cumming, has shipped her four-bladed screw in readiness for her third experimental trial, which will take place at Portsmouth in the early part of next week, if she should not, in the meantime, be ordered to accompany the Channel fleet to Flushing.
Ma 2 March 1863Rear-Admiral Sir Robert Smart's squadron sailed from Spithead at 5 30 on Friday evening for the Downs to await the arrival of her Royal Highness the Princess Alexandra [of Denmark] at the Nore. The fleet consists of the flagship Revenge, 73, Capt. C. Fellowes; the Warrior, 40, iron-plated frigate, Capt. Hon. A. Cochrane; the Black Prince, 40, iron-plated frigate, Capt. J.F.B. Wainwright; the Defence, 18, Capt. A. Phillimore; and the Resistance, 16, Capt. W.C. Chamberlain. The fleet left Spithead by the East Channel under steam only, the Revenge leading. They will return to Spithead by the 9th. The Emerald, 34, screw, Capt. Arthur Cumming, sailed from Spithead yesterday to join the squadron. It is stated that the squadron, after escorting the Princess to England, will return to Spithead, and on the day of the Royal marriage [i.e. of Alexandra to Prince Albert Edward, the later King Edward VII] will dress out in coloured bunting, and at 1. p.m. fire, in company with the ships in the harbour and batteries on shore, a Royal salute. At 8 p.m. yards will be manned, blue lights burnt at each yard-arm, and another Royal salute fired by the whole squadron.
Tu 3 March 1863Intelligence has been received at Chatham of the arrival in the Downs of the Channel squadron, under the command of Rear-Admiral Sir R. Smart, K.H., consisting of the Revenge, 73, Capt. C. Fellowes, flagship; the Warrior, 40, Capt. the Hon. A. Cochrane; the Black Prince, 40, Capt. J.F.B. Wainwright; the Defence, 16, Capt. A. Phillimore; and the Resistance, 16, Capt W.C. Chamberlain; The fleet was joined yesterday by the Emerald, 34, Capt. A. Cumming. The squadron will escort the Princess Alexandra to the Nore, where it will be joined by the Formidable, 84, Capt W.G. Luard, flagship of Vice-Admiral Sir W. J. Hope Johnstone, Commander-in-Chief; the Cumberland, 70, Capt. T.P. Thompson; the Leander, 51, and four gunboats.
Th 5 March 1863Her Majesty's, 22, screw corvette Racoon, Count Victor F.F.E.G.A.C.F. Gleichen, yesterday sailed from Greenhithe (after adjusting her compasses) for Gravesend, to join the Emerald, Capt. Arthur Cumming, ordered to be dressed for the reception of the Royal squadron.
Ma 9 March 1863

THE RECEPTION OF THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA.

We to-day lay before our readers a full and faithful record of one of the most remarkable receptions accorded to Royalty in modern times. …

All the morning small groups of pleasure craft had been dropping down the river and clustering about the pier-head, each full, or, to speak plainly, uncomfortably crowded; each dressed with colours, many carrying the proper Danish flag, and all having some extemporized contrivance to do duty for it, which was more or less unlike that now flown by the modem Vikings. Soon after 8 o'clock the gunboats Carnation, Bullfrog, Sepoy, and Spanker, which the Lords of the Admiralty had placed at the disposal of the officers and men of the Naval Reserve, in compliance with their wish, to attend and do honour to the occasion, stood over to Tilbury to receive their crews, and embarked as fine a set of blue-jackets as ever stepped on board a Queen's ship. The boats from the Emerald, 51, and the Racoon, 22, which lay off the pier, began at the same time to row guard, to keep a space clear for the Royal yacht among the now fast increasing mass of boats of all kinds which began to cover the river. From this time up to the landing it was one continued scene of excitement, enthusiasm, and display such as has rarely been seen in England before, and certainly never at Gravesend. The visitors to the pier began to arrive as early as 9 o'clock, though there was no possibility of their seeing anything till after 12; the indefatigable Reception Committee were, of course, at their posts, with the chief members of the Corporation, all so active, cheerful, and watchful that it was difficult to believe that few of them had been to bed at all the night before. The admirable arrangements for seating visitors made the duty of the stewards light even when fair transgressors insisted upon getting into blue seats with pink tickets, or into yellow without any tickets at all. All, however, went smoothly; by 10 o'clock the ranges of seats down the pier were thronged with richly dressed ladies. The streets were lined with trim close ranks of Volunteers, whose admirable front and perfect order was sat off to advantage by the loose, dense, swaying masses of the crowds behind them. Every seat was filled along the streets, every balcony and window was thronged with ladies, even in some cases the very roof-tops were occupied with adventurous sightseers.

Great was the hubbub and excitement when, at 10 o'clock, the Emerald began saluting slowly, and one of the Royal yachts was seen in the distance steaming round Coalhouse-point and coming quickly up the river. But the vessel for which the thundering honour was intended was coming down the river - the Black Eagle Admiralty yacht, with all their Lordships in full uniform onboard. But Lords of the Admiralty were of no account in popular estimation on this occasion, and all eyes were still bent upon the advancing form of the Royal yacht, which came nearer and nearer till the anxious doubts of all were happily solved by her turning out to be the Osborne coming on as a kind of avant-courier of the Royal party, and with, a perfect cargo of luggage and boxes on board. The Lords of the Admiralty landed and came up the pier, which now presented a most briljant sight. The escort, a splendid troop of the Kent Yeomanry, under Major the Earl of Darnley, had arrived, the guard of honour was in waiting, there was a briljant staff of naval and military officers, including General Eyre, Captain Sir F. Nicolson, with Viscount Sydney, the Lord-Lieutenant of the county, the Bishop of Rochester, the Mayor of Gravesend (Mr. Sams), in his robes, with the Recorder of the town (Mr. S.G. Grady), Mr. Sharland, the Town Clerk, all the Aldermen of the Corporation, in full civic costume, and, though last, by no means least, Mrs. Sams, the Mayoress, bearing a bouquet, in the rich ornament which the ladies of Gravesend had subscribed to present to the fair Dane. It was a beautiful present, worthy the occasion and the young Princess. Its form was a cornucopia of gold, enriched with alternate rows of pearls and coral. ...

A telegram had been received stating that the Prince of Wales had left London, and anxiety was on the stretch lest he should arrive before the Royal yacht, when, as if steaming through the low meadow land of Essex, the tall, raking masts of a vessel decked with flags were seen coming np the river at a speed which told at once that it could be none other than the Victoria and Albert, followed close by a ship which, though larger and more stately, came with equal swiftness - the Warrior. In an instant after the steamboats which now thronged the river, and many of which, from London, were crowded from deck to funnel, and swayed from side to side in a manner terrible to witness, started across to meet her, followed pell-mell by all the little fleet of row boats. As the yacht turned Coalhouse Point she slackened speed and the crews of the men-of-war off the pier went swarming up the shrouds like bees and clustered in thick groups on all the yards, even to the topmastheads, waiting for the signal to "lay out" and man them. Still very slowly, for the tide was running strong, the Royal yacht came on, dressed in flags from stem to stern, with the Prince of Wales's banner and the Royal flag of Denmark both hoisted at the main. Following and almost surrounding her came the volunteer escort of steamers and boats of all kinds, cheering and shouting, ringing bells and waving handkerchiefs as if they were demented. It was evident that they could see the Princess, and the curiosity and excitement of those on the pier rose to fever heat. Still slowly and very carefully, amid the smoke of steamers and deep hoarse roar of cheers, the Royal yacht came. Old Tilbury gave the first thundering salute, the men-of-war followed instantly gun for gun from each broadside, the men lay out upon the yards in as true and even lines as rows of infantry, and the ships as if by magic were dressed, from stem to stern, with lines of flattering ensigns. Still those on the pier could not see the Princess, though from the almost frantic enthusiasm of those on board the crowds of boats and steamers on the starboard side it was evident that she must be plainly visible from that quarter.

Opposite the pier the yacht turned, and brought her head down the river towards the Kentish shore. There were ladies and gentlemen on the quarter-deck, but evidently not the Princess, from the lull in the uproar of exclamation and delight which now fell from all the boats for a few minutes, when it broke out with, if possible, redoubled vigour on the port side of the vessel - the side furthest from the pier, where it was evident, from the tremendous outbreak of cheers, clapping hands, and waving kerchiefs, that the Princess was again at the window of the deck cabin, It was not till the Royal yacht was close alongside the pier that she was seen at last, as she came over to the starboard aide and stood looking ont upon the scene around. She was dressed entirely in white, with the exception of a few light coloured flowers in her bonnet, and wore what was apparently a very warm white shawl, for she is still suffering from the effects of a severe cold. Her colour was heightened as if by nervous excitement, but there was an expression of pleasing astonishment at her reception which was unmistakeable, and she did not, or perhaps could not, check the frank display of wondering pleasure with which she looked from side to side bowing her acknowledgments, and every now and then speaking earnestly to her mother, who stood near her, apparently directing her attention also to the extraordinary scene of delight and enthusiasm around on all sides. Occasionally as the port side spectators grew deafening in their cheers - as a gentle reminder that they were there as well as the visitors on the pier - she went to that side also, but, as may be guessed, her appearance did not stop the cheering. Nbthing did, in truth, till she withdrew at intervals altogether, but not for long. Her white bonnet and delighted face were soon to be seen peeping round from some unexpected window, when in a second she was discovered and cheered till she came forward and bowed and had to go to another. The portraits of herself and the Prince of Wales together which were taken at Brussels are precisely like her. The Paris photographs, taken from a painting done more than A year ago, not only are not so like, but do her an injustice, inasmuch as they render nothing of the expression of thorough good nature and good humour which beam from, her countenance, and light it up into a look which is almost fascinating when she speaks. All the time the vessel was alongside, her father, Prince Christian, with her two brothers, Prince Waldemar and Prince Frederick, who stood outside on the quarter-deck, seemed to be absolutely astounded at the wonderful enthusiasm and delight of the welcome.

The Lords of the Admiralty, Lord Sydney, and other high officials, went on board to be presented, and at this moment the signal bells on the pier communicating with the telegraph at the station announced that the Prince of Wales had arrived in Gravesend. At the signal the 60 young ladies who had been chosen to strew flowers before the bride elect filed, two and two, from their waiting-room, and ranged themselves on each side of the path, down the centre of the pier. They were all clad in red and white - the colours of the long line of Danish Kings from whom the fair Princess descends - and each carried a pretty basket filled with the earliest flowers of spring. They were in regular gradations from the ages of 12 to 20, and were as charming samples of young belles as any town in England could have shown. The Prince cams at five mutates to 12,- almost instantly after the Royal gangway was fixed to the yacht. One glance at his Royal Highness was sufficient to show how needless were all Parliamentary assurances that this was a marriage of affection, as with a face radiant with happiness he traversed the pier with rapid steps. He wore a plain morning dress, and acknowledged, with his usual courteous grace, the almost moving warmth of his reception, but his eyes were steadily directed to the deck cabin of the Royal yacht. The Princess watched his coming from the window, but, as he neared the vessel, first came to the door, and then, after a moment's hesitation, out upon the deck towards the Prince, who hurriedly advanced and, removing his hat, gave her an earnest, hearty kiss, in the presence of all the assembled thousands, who thereupon went into such ecstasies of delight and applause as made the shores of the river ring again. The Princess seemed glad to escape from the cheers now, and, taking the Prince's arm, and accompanied by her Royal parents, went into the deck cabin and then below. In a minute or two all but the Princess reappeared on deck, and it was officially intimated that the landing would take-place in 20 minutes. But in the meantime the fame of the exceeding beauty of the pier and enter decorations, had spread on board the yacht, and one by one the members of the suite came up to see it. The bride's young sisters, the little Princesses Dagmar and Thyra, were not, however, to be satisfied with a mere glance, but were taken along the pier to look at the beautiful vista up Harmer-street beyond. ...

Fr 13 March 1863The Black Prince iron frigate, Capt. Wainwright, continues in the steam basin at Portsmouth taking out damaged machinery and refitting. The Emerald frigate, Capt. A. Cumming, goes into harbour from Spithead this morning to take out her damaged screw and ship another for her experimental trials. The other ships of the Channel squadron now at Spithead comprise the Revenge flagship, the Warrior, Resistance, and Defence, iron frigates, the Kite steamer, bound for Woolwich, and the Racoon, 22, screw frigate, Capt, Count Gleichen, on special service.
Th 19 March 1863The Emerald, 35, screw frigate, Capt. Arthur Cumming, made her third experimental screw trial yesterday at the measured mile in Stokes Bay, off Portsmouth. The screw tested on. This occasion was one with six common shaped blades, fixed at equi-distant intervals on a "Griffiths" boss. The weather was very favourable for the trial, the wind scarcely exceeding a force of 1 from the N.E., and the sea being perfectly smooth. The ship drew 20 ft. 9 in. forward and 21ft. 10 in. aft, and the mean pressure of steam during the six runs made at the mile was 22 lb., the vacuum being 25in., the maximum revolutions of the engines being 52, and the minimum 50. The runs were completed as follows: the first run in 4 min. 31 sec., or at the rate of 13.285 knots per hour; the second run in 6 min. 10 sec., or 9.729 knots; the third run in 4 min. 24 sec., or 13.636 knots; the fourth run in 6 min., or 10 knots; the fifth run in 4 min. 26 sec, or 13.533 knots; the sixth run in 6 min., or 10 knots. The mean speed of the ship was 11.725 knots. The circles were made in the usual manner as follows:- To Port.- Helm up in 17 seconds, with six men at the wheel, and with one and a half turns of the wheel rope, the angle of the rudder being 11 degrees. The half of the circle was completed in four minutes and two seconds, and the full circle in seven minutes and 54 seconds, the revolutions of the engines being 49 1/2. To Starboard.-Helm up in 19 seconds, with six men at the wheel, and with one and a half tarns of the wheel rope, the angle of the rudder being in this instance 17 degrees. The half circle was completed in four minutes and four seconds, and the full circle in seven minutes and 56 seconds, the revolutions of the engines being 50. The Emerald, like all ships of war approaching and exceeding 3,000 tons, has occupied a long period and a large space of water in completing a circle under steam, and it is evidently an impossibility for a ship of great length and tonnage, when, propelled by a single screw, to enter such a harbour as New York, and, by the aid of her own powers, turn and go put to sea again at the pleasure of her captain, notwithstanding the extraordinary statements which have been made in the House of Commons on this subject. The power of manoeuvring a ship under steam has been lately exemplified in two instances on the Thames, under the supervision of the inspecting officer to the Steam Department of the Admiralty, when, by the application of two screws in lieu of one, it was proved in the most satisfactory manner that a ship could be made to revolve upon her centre after the fashion of a railway turntable, steer equally well going astern or ahead, and place herself in or extricate herself from any position. The two-screw system has for some years attracted the attention of many naval officers and civil engineers, and we hope to see the order issued from the Admiralty for laying down a vessel with which to thoroughly test the principle. Judged by the results gained in the steamships Flora and Kate on the Thames, this principle bears as great a relative importance to the efficiency of iron ships of war, whether engaged with the iron ship of an enemy or an enemy's fortress; as does speed, and the possession of speed is of even still greater importance, judging by past events and present experience, than is the precise thickness of armour-plating. The six-bladed screw, as had been anticipated from the results of the Shannon's trials, gave a speed superior to that obtained from the common two-bladed screw by about two-tenths of a knot, with a rather less indicated horse-power of engine, and a total absence of vibration from the working of the screw, the only motion felt on board being from the movement of the engines. At the conclusion of the trial the ship anchored at Spithead, and awaits orders from the Admiralty relative to her next trial.
Fr 8 May 1863The Emerald, 34, screw frigate, Capt. A. Cumming, having completed the fitting of her four-bladed screw in the large double dock at Portsmouth, was undocked yesterday morning, and steamed out of harbour to Spithead, where she anchored to be ready for her experimental trial, which is appointed to take place to-day.
Ma 11 May 1863The Emerald, 34, screw frigate, Capt. A. Cumming, on Friday made her fourth, experimental screw trial, at the measured mile in Stokes Bay, near Portsmouth. The ship's draught of water was, as nearly as possible, the same as on the three former occasions, being 20 ft. 0 in. forward, and 21 ft.10 in. aft. The wind was at a force of from 2 to 3 from the south-east. The screw used on this occasion was one of four blades, the blades being set at equidistant intervals round a Griffiths boss. The mean of six runs made gave the ship a speed of exactly 12 knots, an. extremely satisfactory result, and fully confirming those obtained with the same description of screws in the experimental trials of Her Majesty's ship Shannon. In fact, it may be stated, that the four trials of the Emerald confirm the trials made with similar screws in the Shannon, and that so far nothing has been added to the knowledge we already possessed on the subject. It is expected, however, that the Emerald will conclude her series of trials with the leading corners cut off her four and six-bladed common screws, and with a two, a three and a four bladed screw of the Griffiths pattern. If this course is followed it will render the whole series of trials complete arid highly variable, not only to the Royal naval service, but also to the mercantile navy. In making the circles on Friday, at the conclusion of the sir runs at the measured mile, the Emerald, with the helm aport, made the circle in 7 min. and 9 sec., the angle of the rudder being 13 1/2 deg., and revolutions of the engines 53. With the helm astarboard, a. full circle was completed in 8 min. and 22 sec., the angle of the rudder being 14 deg, and the revolutions of the engines 53 1/2.
Ma 25 May 1863The screw steam-frigate Emerald, 35, Capt. A. Cumming, steamed into Portsmouth harbour from Spithead on Saturday, and will be placed in No. 10 dock to-day to ship another screw propeller for further experimental trials.
Tu 26 May 1863The Emerald, screw steam frigate, Capt, A. Cumming, was placed in No. 10 dock yesterday at Portsmouth to ship another screw propeller.
We 3 June 1863The Emerald, 34, screw frigate, Capt. Arthur Cumming, having completed her series (four) of experimental screw trials at Portsmouth, yesterday shipped her own propeller, and this morning will go out of harbour and join the other ships at Spithead anchorage.
We 8 July 1863The Channel fleet arrived at Spithead yesterday. At 10 a.m. the ships were in sight from Portsmouth. In another hour the Nab Light vessel was passed, and the fleet was steering in for the narrow waterway between the sites of the proposed marine forts in two lines, in the following order:- Port Division (under all plain sail, the wind being light at about west):- Edgar, 71, screw, wooden liner, Capt. G.P. Hornby, bearing the flag of the Admiral Commanding, Rear-Admiral of the White, S.C. Dacres, C.B.; Emerald, 35, screw, wooden frigate, Capt. Arthur Cumming; and Liverpool, 39, screw, wooden frigate, Capt. R. Lambert. Starboard Division, under steam at low boiler power:- Black Prince, 40, screw, iron frigate, Capt. J.F.B. Wainwright, leading the line; Royal Oak, 35, screw, iron-cased frigate, Capt. F.A. Campbell; Defence, 16, screw, iron frigate, Capt. A. Phillimore; and Resistance, 16, screw, iron frigate, Capt. W.C. Chamberlain. The Trinculo, screw gunboat, was in company as tender to the flagship. The fleet is arranged in two lines; the Edgar, Emerald, and Liverpool being anchored along the edge of Spit shoal and forming the inner line, and the iron ships forming the outer line at their anchorage in deeper water; the Resistance and Edgar are at the extreme west of the two lines, and the Defence and Liverpool hold the eastern position. Rear-Admiral Dacres landed at the dockyard from the Port-Admiral's steam yacht Fire Queen during the afternoon.
Fr 31 July 1863The Channel fleet, under the command of Admiral Dacres, which left Sunderland on Tuesday morning, arrived in Leith roads on Wednesday afternoon at 4 o'clock. The Edgar, 71, led the van in coming up the Firth, and was followed by the Emerald, Liverpool, Defence, Black Prince, Warrior, Royal Oak, and Resistance. The anchorage selected is a mile to the west of Inchkeith, and about three miles from Leith harbour. The fleet will remain for about a week in Leith roads. The Channel fleet is expected to visit the Mersey before completing its present cruise. Its appearance there is not anticipated before the middle or end of next month.
Sa 29 August 1863The long-expected Channel fleet, for the appearance of which the inhabitants of Derry and Moville have been eagerly watching, arrived in Lough Foyle at 6 o'clock on Wednesday morning. The squadron, which is commanded by Rear-Admiral Sidney Colpoys Dacres, C.B., comprises the following vessels:— The Edgar (flag), 71 guns, Captain Geoffrey T.P. Hornby; Black Prince, 41, Captain James F.B. Wainwright; Emerald, 35, Captain Arthur Cumming; Warrior, 40, Captain the Hon. Arthur A. Cochrane; Royal Oak, 35, Captain Frederick A. Campbell; Liverpool, 39, Captain Rowley Lambert; Defence, 16, Captain Augustus Phillimore; Resistance, 16, Captain William C. Chamberlain; and the Trinculo, a tender, carrying two guns. The Emerald, Edgar, Liverpool, and Trinculo are wooden vessels, all the rest are iron. Their crews number more than 5,000 men. Several hundred persons visited the fleet in the course of the day; and a deputation from Moville presented an address of welcome and congratulation to Admiral Dacres on board his flagship. The shore was illuminated at night with tar barrels, fireworks, and bonfires.
We 7 October 1863Orders for the present disposition of the Channel squadron were received at Devonport yesterday. The flagship Edgar, which requires to he docked, will, with the Warrior, the Resistance, and the Emerald, leave Plymouth Sound for Portsmouth. The Black Prince, Royal Oak, and Defence are ordered to discharge their powder and shell, and to go up Hamoaze. The Black Prince will be docked at Devonport.
Fr 9 October 1863The Black Prince went from Plymouth Sound into Hamoaze on Wednesday. The Royal Oak went there yesterday morning, and is moored off Keyham. The Defence followed, and is placed off the Devonport dockyard. The flagship Edgar, the Warrior, Devastation, and Emerald got up steam in the morning, and left for Spithead, but put back in the afternoon, owing probably to the strong easterly winds and stormy weather.
Sa 10 October 1863

Rear-Admiral Dacres, C.B., in the flagship Edgar, 71, Capt. Hornby, accompanied by the Warrior, 40, Capt. The Hon. A.A. Cochrane; the Emerald, 35, Capt. Cumming; and Resistance, 16, Capt. Chamberlain, left Plymouth Sound, yesterday morning, for Portsmouth.

(BY ELECTRIC AND INTERNATIONAL TELEGRAPH.)
PLYMOUTH, FRIDAY EVENING.

The screw steamship Una, Captain Batty, from Smyrna and Malta for London, with a full general cargo and 20 passengers, put back to the Sound this evening. On the 2d inst., 13 miles north of Lisbon, she passed the screw steamer St. Elmo homeward bound, and at half-past 2 this afternoon observed Her Majesty's iron-clad ships Warrior and Devastation five miles south-west of Start Point, and shortly after the flagship Edgar and frigate Emerald 15 miles south of the Breakwater, all under steam, bound to Spithead. Wind, S.S.W.; blowing strong.

Ma 12 October 1863The east division of the Channel fleet (as briefly announced by telegram in the second edition of The Times of Saturday); arrived at Spithead on Saturday, from. Devonport. The Warrior and Resistance, iron frigates, first hove in sight, and the latter anchored at Spithead by 8 a.m. The Warrior lay to in St. Helen's Roads, and did not anchor at Spithead until 11 a.m. The Admiral, in his flagship, the Edgar, in company with, the Emerald, wooden screw frigate, did not arrive at Spithead until 5 p.m. Both ships had remained for some hours off the Isle of Wight, where their crews had been exercised in firing with shot and shell. The passage from Plymouth Sound to Spithead was made with reduced boiler power, and on Friday night the Resistance, with three boilers in use, and contending with a strong S.E. gale, maintained a steady rate of speed of six knots. The officers of the two ironclads speak in the most enthusiastic terms of their ships behaviour at sea, but at the same time admit that a somewhat different form of bottom would give them more stability, and lessen the tendency they have to roll. Still, with even this admitted fault, it is contended that, on the whole, they are better sea boats than our heaviest wooden frigates of the Mersey and Orlando class. Seamen always speak flatteringly of the ship in which they serve; but if there be any truth in this comparison drawn, between iron and wooden ships, then our ironclads must be very much better sea boats, or have been very much better handled, than the French iron clad squadron which is now undergoing extensive repairs at Brest, in consequence of the damage received during its first experimental cruise. Reverting to our own ironclads, it appear; to be the general opinion of officers serving in them that the Resistance and Defence class must be more generally serviceable as war ships than the Warrior or Minotaur class can ever be. The latter undoubtedly possess the advantages belonging to beauty of form and great speed under steam, yet, from their extreme length, they cannot be turned so shortly or so readily manoeuvred as smaller vessels. These facts will possibly hold good so long as our ironclads are propelled by single screws; but now that it has been so repeatedly proved that ships can be made to turn upon their own centre as upon a pivot when propelled by two screws, the chief objection to ships of the Warrior's length seems to be overcome. A ship constructed for two screws would also possess much greater bearings at her midship section than a single-screw vesse l; she would consequently roll less, and be a much better sea boat, than any vessel with a single screw could possibly be, and. would also draw one-third less water than is the rule with. our present ironclads. A vessel like the Warrior must draw a certain draught of water in order to develops the power of her 1,250-horse engines and her monster screw. In shoal or narrow waters such a ship is helpless; she can neither approach sufficiently near a shore battery nor manoeuvre in front of it. Had the Warrior been built for and fitted with twin screws, her lessened draught of water would have enabled her to be taken so much nearer the shore, and to be manoeuvred as might be wished when she had reached the desired position.
Ma 26 October 1863The Emerald, 35, screw frigate, Capt. A. Cumming, ssiled from Spithead on Saturday evening for Sheerness, where she is ordered to dismantle and pay out of commission.
Tu 27 October 1863The Emerald, 35, screw steam frigate, 2,913 tons, 600-horse power, Capt. Arthur Cumming, arrived at the Nore from Spithead on Sunday afternoon, and, saluted the flag of the Commander-in-Chief, Vice-Admiral Sir G.R. Lambert, K.C.B., with 13 guns, the salute being returned from the Formidable, flag ship, with seven guns. On Monday the admiral inspected the vessel at her anchorage, after which she steamed into Sheerness harbour, and took up moorings in the stream. She is to be dismantled, and in about a fortnight will be paid out of commission. The Emerald, was commissioned at Sheerness on the 12th of May, 1859, and has been employed in the Channel squadron. On being paid off she will be inspected by the officers of the Sheerness Steam Reserve and the officials of the dockyard, to see whether she should be placed on th e first or second division of the steam reserve, if found in a fit condition for the first division it is thought probable that she will shortly be recommissioned.
Sa 31 October 1863Yesterday the War Department transports Marlborough and Petrel went alongside the Ordnance-wharf at Chatham, and commenced unloading the Armstrong and other guns, together with the Armstrong and other descriptions of shot from the Emerald, 35, 600-horse power, Capt. A. Cumming, lately attached to the Channel squadron, but now being dismantled at the Nore, preparatory to being put out of commission and placed in the third division of the steam reserve. The powder and shell were landed yesterday from the Bomarsund, and deposited in the Government magazines at Upnor Castle.
Fr 6 November 1863The whole of the guns, shot, shell, and other War Department stores belonging to the screw frigate Emerald, 35, 600-horae power, Capt. A. Cumming, lately attached to the Channel squadron, have been landed at the Ordnance wharf, Chatham, and the other stores deposited in the dockyard. The Emerald is entirely dismantled, and will be paid off at the Nore tomorrow, and placed in the steam, reserve.
Ma 9 November 1863The Emerald, 35, screw steam-frigate, 2,913 tons, 600-horse power, Capt. A. Cumming, which recently formed one of the Channel squadron, was paid out of commission by Capt. Charles Wise, A.D.C., Superintendent of Sheerness-dockyard, on Saturday. On Friday the officers of the dockyard and Sheerness Steam Reserve inspected the vessel and machinery, and she is to he placed in the 3d division of the Steam Reserve.
Sa 12 November 1864The following is the list of the vessels of the Royal navy which will be armed, and are now being armed, with the new description of 300-pounder and other guns in course of issue. The figures after each vessel specify the number of guns of the description mentioned she will carry. To mount the 12-ton 300-pounders:- Bellerophon, 10; Royal Sovereign, 5; Minotaur, 4; Scorpion, 4; Wiveren, 4; Prince Albert, 4; Agincourt, 4; and Northumberland, 4. To be armed with the 6½-ton guns:- The Achilles, 20; Black Prince, 20; Warrior, 20; Lord Warden, 20; Lord Clyde, 20; Royal Oak, 20; Prince Consort, 20; Royal Alfred, 20; Caledonia, 20; Ocean, 20; Minotaur, 18 ; Agincourt, 18; Valiant, 16; Zealous, 16; Hector, 16; Defence, 10; Resistance, 10; Endymion, 6; Mersey, 4; Orlando, 4, Pallas, 4; Favourite, 4; Research, 4; Enterprise, 4; Amazon, 2; Viper, 2; and Vixen, 2. To mount the 64-pounder muzzle-loader:- The Bristol, 12; Melpomene, 12; Liverpool, 12; Severn, 12; Arethusa, 12; Phoebe, 12;. Shannon, 12; Octavia, 12; Constance, 12; Sutlej, 12; Undaunted, 12; Impérieuse, 12; Aurora, 12; Leander, 12; Bacchante, 12; Emerald, 12; Phaeton, 12: Narcissus, 12; Forte, 12; Euryalus, 12; Topaz, 12; Newcastle, 12; Liffey, 12; Immortalité, 12; Glasgow, 12; Clio, 8, North Star, 8 [laid down 1860, cancelled 1865]; Racoon, 8; Challenge[r], 8; and Menai, 8 [laid down 1860, cancelled 1864]. The following will be supplied with the 64-pounder breech-loaders:- The Scout, 8; Rattlesnake, 8; Cadmus, 8; Scylla, 8; Barossa, 8; Jason, 8; Charybdis, 8; Wolverine, 8; Pylades, 8; Orestes, 8; Pearl, 8; Pelorus, 8; Satellite, 8; Acheron, 4 [laid down 1861, cancelled 1863]; Shearwater, 4; Valorous, 4; Furious, 4; Bittern, 4 [laid down 1861, cancelled 1863]; Magicienne, 4; and Columbine, 4. A supply of the 6½-ton smooth-bore 100-pounder wrought iron guns has already been received at Chatham, and it is understood that the first supply of the 300-pounder rifled 12-ton Armstrong gun may shortly be expected at the Ordnance wharf.
Fr 19 November 1869The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have directed the sale of another batch of war vessels, lying at Portsmouth, Sheerness, and Devonport. The list includes Her Majesty's screw frigate Emerald, 2,913 tons, built at Deptford in 1856; the screw sloop Miranda, 1,039 tons, built at Sheerness in 1851: the screw sloop Wasp, 974 tons, built at Deptford in 1850; the screw sloop Sharpshooter, 503 tons, built at Blackwall in 1846; the screw sloop Niger, 1,002 tons, built at Woolwich in 1846; the paddlewheel steam vessel Thais, 302 tons, built at Messrs. Laird's yard, Birkenhead, in 1856; and the hulls of the steamers Coronation and Plym. The sale, which will be the third of war vessels since the Recess, will be held at Lloyd's Captains' room, Royal Exchange, in the early part of the ensuing month. The Wasp and Sharpshooter are now lying at Portsmouth, the Emerald, Miranda, and Niger at Sheerness, and the Thais, Coronation, and Plym at Devonport.


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