Departure of the British Fleet from Spithead

Departure of the British Fleet from Spithead

Portsmouth, April 4th.

The bulk of the ships at Spithead have sailed this afternoon, the order to sail given by Rear Admiral DUNDAS.

The fleet went away in beautiful - indeed magnificent order, although all steam - ships they left Spithead under canvas alone, but getting to the Nab Light their steam power was brought into requisition by some ships.

Ships sailed:-

DUKE OF WELLINGTON, 131, Capt CALDWELL, flag ship of Admiral DUNDAS

ROYAL GEORGE, 120, Capt CODRINGTON

EXMOUTH, 91, Capt W. K. HALL, flag of Admiral SEYMOUR

NILE, 91, Capt MUNDY

MAJESTIC, 91, Capt HOPE

CAESAR, 91, Capt ROBB

JAMES WATT, 91, Capt G. ELLIOTT

COLOSSUS, 84, Capt R. S. ROBINSON

CRESSY, 80, Capt R. L. WARREN

HOGUE, 60, Capt W. RAMSEY

AJAX, 60, Capt WARDEN

BLENHEIM, 60, Capt W. H. HALL

EDINBURGH, 60, Capt HEWLETT

MAGICENNE, 6, Capt VANSITTART

VENTURE, 6, Capt GLASSE

DRAGON, 6, Capt W. H. STEWART

BULLDOG, 6, Commander GORDON

GORDON, 6, Commander CRAWFORD

BASILISK, 6, Commander JENNER

With the exception of the last six vessels which are paddle-wheels the fleet is composed of screw ships. Before they leave the Downs they will be joined by the ORION, 91, HASTINGS 60, and PEMBROKE 60, from this port, the RUSSELL, 60 all screw ships, from Chatham and other vessels from Portsmouth. The departure of the above fleet together with 10 frigates and sloops composing of the “Flying Squadron,” leaves a respectable force at Spithead as follows ;-

NEPTUNE, 120, sailing ship

ST GEORGE, 120, sailing ship

ORION, 91, screw

CALCUTTA, 84, sailing ship

POWERFUL, 84, sailing ship

PYLADES, 21, screw

CENTAUR, 6, paddle

CRUIZER, 16, screw

GORGON, 6, paddle

DRIVER, 6, paddle

ARIEL, 9, screw

They are exclusive of the BELLEROPHON, 80, Capt Lord G. PAULET, which came in harbour today landing sick and wounded men from the Crimea.

MAIN PAGE

Copyright 2002 / To date