REVIEW OF THE FLEET.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 799, 10 December 1853, Page 2

REVIEW OF THE FLEET.

Some faint idea may be formed of yesterday’s review from the aggregate of guns, horse-power, and tonnage in the fleet, and from the number of men required for the full complement of each ship. There were employed 1070 guns, the power of 9680 horses (nominally, but in reality nearly double that amount), 40,207 tons of shipping, and ships’ companies that should altogether have amounted to 10,423 hands, although the actual number probably fell short of that by 1000. The fleet thus comprised about the same number of men as arc encamped at Chobham, only that instead of being distributed in tents stretching over two miles of heath, fhey are cooped up in twenty-five ships of war, thirteen of which are screw steamers, nine paddlewheel, and three sailing ships of the line. The total steam power employed, being stated at about half its actual value, probably represents a larger horse power than all the cavalry regiments in the service put together, and when the nature of this modern agent is considered and its adaptability for the purposes of naval warfare, the contrast which it illustrates becomes still more formidable. For giving certainty and rapidity to the movement of a fleet, and for all the attendant advantages which are thus secured, the steam-engine far exceeds the standard by which its capabilities are measured, and in this respect those who did not witness the spectacle of yesterday can hardly realise the effect which it was calculated to produce on all thinking minds. It is not that those influences have been almost entirely disarmed which invest the seaman’s life with such perils, but we have in addition the sublime idea fully realised of man controlling the sea and subjecting the winds by a mechanical power developed by the patient observation of natural forces and the happy application of them to our wants. If, however, the fleet in its crews and steam power had such a grand significance, when the number and calibre of its guns are taking into the reckoning, the result is truly astounding. There were no less than 1076 guns, the smallest 32-poundcrs, and as large as the largest used in the great sea fights by which our ancestors won the sovereignty of the seas. The largest throw 041b. shells, which would be 104-pounders if solid shot were used, and the frightful destructiveness of these missiles may be imagined, exploding on concussion, according to Captain Moorsom’s recent Invention. The great feature, however, of the armament of the present fleet in its 08-poun-ders, which produced, when fired, a prodigous effect both upon the imagination and the tympanum of all who witnessed the review. Thus, by its floating batteries of the heaviest description, and by the power of steam to move them rapidly into any position that may be required, the British navy has now become the grandest concentration of force for destructive purposes that can well be conceived. A tonnage of 40,207 tons in one fleet dedicated to such on object reminds one not only of the resources of a country provided with such tremendous means of defence but suggests also how vast must be the interests that require to be so guarded. And now, having said thus much to prepare the reader for the details of the review, we might proceed at once with our narrative; but before doing so it is necessary to observe that no f mts setting forth the character of the fleet, its armament, and capabilities can give any adequate conception of what took place yesterday, unless it be also borne In mind that this great spectacle, so peculiarly national, had every influence that could increase its splendour. The Queen, the Royal family, their illustrious guests, both Houses of the Legislature, the Ministers of the Crown, the diplomatic corps, a host of official ' personages; many of the most distinguished men, not only m the navy, but in the army also; crowds of eminent civilians ; • vessels of all the yachting clubs in this country, and some from abroad ; a long train of attendant steamers packed with excursionists :—such are among the concomitants of the review which must lie borne in mind by those "who wish to form a true conception of it. Above all, however, the spectacle was favoured with magnificent weather, and it was with bright sunshine overhead and a fine summer breeze crisping the waters that the Hoyal yacht was seen, at half-past 10 o’clock, rapidly approaching the fleet. The Hoard of Admiralty had arrived an hour previously in the Black Eagle, and swarms of

steamers and yachts surrounded or shot through the lines of the fleet. The ships were unmoored and hove shirt before 8 o’cloik in the morning, and soon after got up their steam, in which state they awaited the approach of her Majesty. Then the proceedings of the review commenced with a Royal salute fired by the whole fleet, and the grandeur of which, great as it might appear from the shore, could only be fully appreciated on board. There no distance softened the effect, —the fierceness, the impetuosity, and the suddenness of which were irresistibly striking, and the volumes of smoke which at one moment enveloped the ship, being next lifted up like a curtain, behind or through the rents of which the rest of the squadron could be seen hurling forth its quickly repeated fire. The Royal yacht passed gail) through the fleet to the flag ship of Admiral Cochrane, and received in her progress a separate salute from the"' guns of the Prussian frigate, which at least served as a good contrast to the chorus of great guns that preceded it. The Gefian also manned yard*—a mark of respect which the exigencies of the programme prevented the fleet from shewing. When the Royal standard was transferred to the Duke of Wellington another royal salute was fired, and then an interval elapsed, during which her Majesty inspected the great flagship. As a specimen of naval architecture, the Duke of Wellington well deserves the compliment of such a visit. Her towering bulk, conspicuous from afar diminishes by contrast the largest steamers in thesquadron. Her colossal proportions do not interfere with her speed, and she glides through the water as smoothly almost as the most finely made cutter. It was intended that a third salute should be fired, when the Queen re-embarked on board her yacht, but it was signalled that this part of the programme was to be dispensed with, and about ll o’clock the order was given to weigh. This was soon performed, and then gradually assuming the following order, and escorted by a surprising number of yachts and steamers, the fleet, in two columns, put majestically to sea:— POUT OR lEK DIVISION. STARBORD OR WBATHBR DIVISION. Agamemnon _ Duke of Wellington 3 Hogue t| Blenheim 9 S' . Ajax Edinburgh §, c Arrogant „ Imperieuse w S' c 5 Tribune 2 Highflyer E 3 S£P Desperate 2 Odin ®■§ .2 Encounter o Leopard £ Jf Sidon £ Valorous 5' * Vesuvius Terrible.

It is impossible to convey any suitable idea of the effect which this stately procession presented. A procession it was, as ceremonious and precise as any could desire to see, the number of huge ships at stated intervals, and the broad avenue of clear water between the two divisions, still pressing on the mind the marvels of that mechanical agency by which such order and power are combined in one display on “ the inconstant deep.” The ships kept in splendid line on their way out to sea, shewing proudly their long rows of port-holes, and by their stern, uncanvassed rig, to which the smoke of their chimnies added an additional feature of sullen pomp, holding every intruding craft :t a respectful distance. To soften the grandeur of the spectacle by a feature which might appeal to the gentler sympathy of all, the Queen, in her royal yacht, led the squadron to sea. Occupying a central position between the Duke on the starboard, and the Agamemnon on the port side, but slightly in advance of both, her Majesty and the Royal family, with their illustrions visitors, had an uninterrupted and perfect view of the marine pageant. They saw not only an unrivalled fleet, the fully developed expression of our maritime power, but an amazing number of attendant yachts and steamers, with which the sea swarmed as far as the eye could reach. In no other country of the world, and at no previous period even in this, could such a spectacle have been got together. Thousands upon thousands of spectators from Culver CliiT, and the other high grounds of the isle of Wight in that direction, watched the great pageant as it moved out into the Channel. They had apparently calculated upon witnessing the sham fight from that elevated position, but must have been sadly disappointed, for when the action commenced the island was no longer visible, and, had it been so, the wind, which was blowing in an easterly direction all day, must have interposed all the smoke of the steamers and the guns between them and the fleet. Not so those who accompanied it, or were on board meu-of-war. They saw everything with a distinctness that left nothing further to be desired. A few miles below the Nab tire signal was given to form line abreast, which the ships did at cable length from each other, and with, magnificent effect. Some idea of their appearance in this position may be formed from the fact that the line extended about three miles from end to end. Fancy, therefore, looking along or fronting it. To tire advance of the steam-fleet in this order the looming forms of three line-of-battle ships that gradually grew more disinct and formidable in the offing had a fine effect. They had been very conspicuous for some time before the Royal yacht appeared to have found them out, but at length she signalled three strange sail in sight south-east, and thereupon the admiral makes signal, "All take course together to the south-west.’’ The strange sail wore grandly while this order was obeyed, the drums beat to quarters, the hammocks were taken down from their position on the bulwarks, port-holes were thrown open, and the ships, now turning their broadsides to the enemy, formed in line of battle and signalled the demand. No reply was made, though one could by a telescope very easily distinguish Admiral Faushawe’s flag flying at the mizen of the Prince Regent, which led the way under a cloud of canvass. She was followed by the Queen and London, also under a press of sail, while the Barracoota, Amphion, Vulture, and Driver steamers attended them as they bore down. The Prince Regent fired twice in approaching, as if to try the range, but beyond this there was nothing to distract attention from the contrast which the sailing vessels presented to their steam rivals. The deeper we get committed to the mechanical influences gathering around us, the more do we seem to regret their splendours of the past which we can no longer retain. This was an universal feeling yesterday, as Admiral Fanshawe’s squadron neared the fleet. When they got within range, the latter opened their broadsides upon them, and the cannonade, taken up from ship to ship, spread along the line with an energy and rapidity quite astounding while it lasted, and, a fine fresh sea-breeze rolling away the immense volumes of smoke to leeward, enabled the spectators almost uninterruptedly to mark the splendour of the spectacle. The deep bass of the G8 and 84-pounders chiming in at intervals with the sharper roar of the lighter guns, could be readily distinguished, and the observer could even note how these tremendous engines of destruction hurled forth a more projected and larger mass of flame and smoke into the wind’s eye. Along the whole line of battle, nearly three miles long, the cannonading was kept up for many minutes with a fury of which it is quite impossible Jto convey any idea in words. The expedition and facility with which the crews worked their guns in the midst of all this terrible hubbub, was a subject of nearer and hardly less interesting observation than the general effect of the battle. On board the Odin, commanded by Captain Scott, and the heavy armament which is peculiarly unwieldy, this was very conspicuous.

The enemy had replied vigorously at the outset to the fires of the fleet, and this was sustained for some time; but at last the Prince Regent, the Queen, and the London began to slacken their fire. When the firing had ceased and the great “war cloud’’ formed by it had swept completely away, and he signal was given to “ chase to the south,” and in this direction the whole fleet proceeded at full steaming speed. The movement was only continued long enough to make a fair display of the superiority of the Imperieuse, the Agamemnon, and the Duke of Wellington screws. These would have beaten the rest of the fleet, and seem to establish the inferiority of the paddlewnee) construction to their own, not only for fighting, but even for speed. The Royal Yacht, which had retired to a safe distance during the action joined with its attendant flotilla of steamers in the chase; and both Houses of Parliament, in the Stonnboli, Bulldog, also joined eagerly in the pursuit. They were bolder still; for, just before the engagement commenced, they passed through the line of the fleet into the central space between it and the enemy. They were thus exposed to the entire fury of the cannonade, and it is expected that, in consequence, for some time to come there will be a marked diminution in the number of interjcctional “Hear, hears,’’observable in our Parliamentary reports. To yachtmen a leading attraction in this part of the review was furnished by the performances of two beautiful foreign vessels sent over to the Ryde regatta—one an American, the other a Swede, and both remarkably swift. These kept up with the squadron the whole day, and accompanied it on its return to Spithcad. This return was made in the order which each ship could maintain by her sailing powers, the Duke of Wellington and the Agamemnon, however, easily leading. It was a fine irregular race back to the starting point of the morning, the stalwart and martial-looking war-vessels shouldering their way by screw power through clouds of yachts ami steamers. Far behind, under a press of canvass, came the gigantic sail-of-the-line —distance and the declining sunlight giving somewhat of a spectral character to their movements. The fleet reached Spithead about six o’clock, and on its arrival the signal was given for the gunboats of all the ships to assemble, manned and armed, round the Royal Yacht. The execution of this order involved a greater amount of exertion on the part of the crews then any other of the day’s proceedings. Having seen proved the difficulties attending on launching heavy boats with all the discipline and resources of a man-of-war at command, we can now understand how the terrors of shipwreck become so aggravated. Yesterday the gunboats of the fleet were all round the Royal Yacht in a space of little more than half an hour from the time when the signal was given. They then commenced, for the amusement of the multitudes of spectators on shore, a grand attack with great guns and small arms on the Magicicnno and Conflict, steam-frigates. This terminated a spectacle unprecedented in this country, and that could bo produced nowhere else; a spectacle which well accords with our national sympathies and which is doubly gratifying from the light in which it places the efficiency of our navy. If it restores our confidence in that surest and greatest •rm of defences for this island kingdom of ours, it will not have been held in vain.— Times.