NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 248, 15 December 1847, Page 3

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

H. M. Steam Frigate " Terrible." — The enormous towing power of the Terrible, steam-frigate, was never more fully exemplified than on the late occasion of towing H. M.S. Howe to Spithead, in little more than twentyfour hours. She left the Nore, with her charge, about 5 a. m. on the 26th, as we have he fore stated, and arrived at Spithead at 7 o'clock the next morning. It was a wonderful sight to see her walking away with that immense floating castle, the Howe, at a rate of, always 7 knots an hour, and, at times, full 9 knots, all against a head wind, with only two engines at work. The Birkenhead followed, at about a mile distance, as though she were in attendance in case of being wanted, but the Terrible performed her task bravely, and required no help. The ships passed at Deal, the French steamer Gomer, one of the largest in their service, and also a French .corvette. These were anchored there after having been knocking about our coasts for some time, making observations, perhaps espying the nakedness of the land. There were two facts thus brought under theft immediate notice, which might be we*ih-JFeporting to the authorities across the channel, showing that we are not equally ill-prepared as to the sea, for we can turn out line of battle ships ready for war in barely a month from commissioning, whenever an enemy may provoke us ; and that our steamers could tow them into a most formidable position to a hostile coast, almost before they are known to be ready for sea. — Nautical Standard.

The " Great Britain." — There is every hope now entertained that this noble vessel will be got off in the end of next month. The most active preparations are going on for the purpose. Upwards of twenty boxes of immense size and strength, are being completed on the beach, and all is expected to be in readiness to make the effort by the latter end of July. — Downpatrick Recorder. It is reported that it is the intention of the Admiralty to build several screw line of battle ships, of 80 guns, and 700 horse power. We are led to believe that, used as an auxiliary, the propelling machinery to a ship of 2500 tons should not be more than between 400 and 500 nominal horse-power. Screw engines of forty horse power have been found to propel a deeply laden schooner, of above 300 tons measurement, nine knots an hour ; and six knots have been gained from the Am^hion, with her complicated screw machinery. We do not require more than six from a line of battle ship, and from the above trials it may reasonably be concluded that with good oscillating engines of 400 horse power, that rate could be obtained from an 80 gun ship, whose ! form of body is properly adapted to the screw nroDeller. — Nautical Standard.

Fresh Meat for the Navy. — The Admiralty have issued the following circular :—: — " With the view of further promoting the health of the crews of Her Majesty's ships aad vessels serving in tropical climates, preserved meat, which has hitherto been issued as a medical comfort, shall in future be issued with preserved potatoes and rice, one day in each week, in lieu of the daily ration of salt 'beef, including flour, suet, and raisins, to all vessels employed on the stations, viz., Coast of Africa, West Indies, South Fast Coast of America, Pacific, East Indies, and China ; such issue to commence seven days after sail- ! ing from this country. This substitution to commence on the Ist of June next, aud be issued in the following proportions, viz., fib. of '■ preserved potatoes, or of rice in lieu of the preserved potato, to such of the ships and vessels as may then be fitting for any of the above stations."