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.
Copyright 2002 / To date