PREPARATIONS FOR WAR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IV, Issue 178, 3 June 1854, Page 9

PREPARATIONS FOR WAR.

On the evening before the Crest of the Wave sailed from Liverpool (viz., on the 10th Feb.) news reached that port, by electric telegraph, to the effect that Admiral Sir Charles Napier was immediately to assume the command of a fleet in the Baltic, Vice-Amiral Ohadds to take the command. The electric message further stated, that the Government required tenders for nine transports to convey troops to the seat of war. It is stated that several of Cunard's steamers are taken up by Government to carry troops to Constantinople. 6000 men go from England, others will be taken on from the different stations. About 10,000 are to be collected to form the fivst expedition. A brigade of Guards will form part of the expedition; the 46th regiment, that was under orders for Australia,

leaving the old soldiers at home, whose time would have been up in a few years, is now to hold itself in readiness for foreign service, taking all their best men, and leaving the young soldievs and recruits at home. An inquiry has been instituted as to the fitness of the P. and O. Co.'s, and the Royal West India Mail Packet Co.'s steamers to be employed as men-of-war in case of need. A report was sent in, (which we will find room for to-morrow) stating that the number of steam vessels belonging to the two companies was 53, with an aggregate tonnage amounting to 74,581, but that these vessels were for the most part ill adapted to be converted into ships of war. The preparations at Portsmouth become every day of a more warlike character. An order came down on the 6th February for the drafting one-half of the (Coast Guard on board various line-of-battle bhips. This step will add to the naval service .about 3000 of the most efficient and steadiest men it could possibly receive all of them well trained to gunnery, and admirably adapted to form the nucleus of crews for screw line-of-battle ships. With them the newly raised men can be brought into a state of complete efficiency, and a powerful Baltic fleet may be organised without the necessity of resorting to impressment. Parties of men arrive here daily, and should any increase to their numbers be needed, it would appear that a bounty or better pay to volunteers is all that is required to effect the object. The department of the comptroller for victualling and transport services have issued a notice, inviting tenders for seven or eight good coppered ships of five or seven hundred tons new measurement, to be employed for four months certain or longer, if required, in the conveyance of cavalry. The point of departure and destination are not mentioned. The Commercial Daily List says, that at the Royal Exchange nothing else was talked of but the above contract, and this, together with other rumours of a like tendency, caused a pause in the markets, but without producing any material alteration. The Globe states the first portion of the military force to be despatched to the East,.will consist of four battallions of foot guards, and six. regiments of infantry from Ireland. These troops will embark with the least possible delay for their destination, which will probably be Malta in the first instance. Portsmouth, Saturday. The Thetis, Captain Kuper, C.8.,. arrived at Spithead this morning, last from Plymouth, her arrival at that Port having been duly announced in Friday's Standard. At one p.m., the Fire Queen,.tender to Victory,. Master commander F. W. Paul, arrived alongside the Thetis, with Rear Admiral Dundas, C.8.,. one of the Lords of the Admiralty, who quickly came on board the Thetis, upon which " all hands" were piped on the quarter deck. In a few minutes Admiral Dundas appeared, and thus addressed the assembled crew:-— "My men—l have come down, by request of the Board of Admiralty, to make known to you that we are on the eve of a war, and that war with Russia. My object, therefore, in addressing you by desire of their Lordships, is to prepare you for such event; and lam sure that you will receive this announcement as becomes Englishmen and British sailors. It is my duty to inform you that the country cannot dispense with your services, however hard it may appear after your having been away for so long a period; yet the exigencies of the service must be paramount to all other considerations. Instead, therefore, of your being paid off, you will all be paid clown. You shall have a lew weeks' run r after which I feel assured you will act as British seamen ever have done in defence of their country. I trust you will receive this communication in its right and proper light, and I make this known to you thus early, to prevent any feelings of disappointment. I have earnestly to hope that the evil may yet pass away, but we must be prepared for any and every emergency. ' Pipe down."' The admiral shortly after returned on board the Fire Queen, and came into harbour. The Cork Constitution states, that 1000 of the naval coast volunteers are to be selected from seafaring men on the coast of Ireland. Captain Jerningham, R.N., has been at Cork, explaining the nature of the service, and a numbev of men offered themselves for enrolment the first day. He was to remain there for a fortnight, and then proceed westward,