THE BALTIC FLEET.

New Zealander, Volume 11, Issue 964, 11 July 1855, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE BALTIC FLEET.

Portsmouth, Tuesday, 3rd April, The departure of the fleet, which was announced to lake place at 3 o'clock to-day from Spithead, has been put off, and for a lew hours more 'he giant ships rest quietly at their anchors in the Solent. In London and elsewhere the belief that they would s art at the time slated was so generally entertained that from an early hour in the morning numbers of people flocked down here to witness the event. The steamers were in readiness on their arrival, and they were soon at Spithead gazing with all their might at the proud lines of floating fortresses—'silent, stern, and cold, as seen through the thick atmosphere of a raw, disagreeable day. I hough not the sort of weather for a hrill ant spectacle, one could hardly tail to trace a kind of fitness for the occasion in the murky leaden sky, the south-west wind, that came down in gusts, iccompanied by spattering showers of rain, and the fearful surface of the water, broken up into a short and angry jumble of waves, through which open boats with difficulty cleft their way. The scene had a severe, earnest, serious look about it, which at a glance conveyed the impression of grave work at hand for those mighty and complex ensigns of war, close up to their anchors, and with a list forward by the bow, ns if impatient to be gone upon their fata! mission. Very different indeed was the impression produced to that of last year, when the sun shone out brightly, and the placid waters of the Solent were alive with sight-seers, and the popular expectation triumphed too hastily over the anticipation of victoiies which nave yet to be achieved, and the Queen herself was present Jto see her gallant sailors off, and to wish them a hearty farewell. If the fleet sailed to-day, as was announced, it would put to sea quietly, with a few visible manifestations of sympathy, in no exulting spirit, but with the fixed and high resolve of doing something worthy to be talked of before it returned. >uch were the impressions with which the visitors from town gazed at those colossal ships formed in double line at Spithead, with the gun boats and small.r steamers also iu a line oa their right, yet at a respectful distance,

and dwarfed into mere pigmies by contrast. Ibe lay in more compact order than last year, and each, as you scanned her, appeared to be in belter and more per feat sea going condition. Even to inexperienced landsmen it was evident that here were no sbortbanded or untrained Crews, but men accustomed to the service, and confident in themselves. The sightseers passed up and down the lines in their excursion steamers, now taking the centre of the watery avenue formed by the raen-of-war, and wondering at the long array of checkered broadsides ; now going close alongside, and looking curiously into every porthole. By and by, they would run past the smaller paddlewheeN, speculating sagely upon their number and efficiency for the shallow channels and granite fortresses of the Nonh. Alt this tune the signal ships kept signalling, and admiralty yachts and tenders were dashing rapidly about, and bumboats and smaller craft clung precariously to the huge sides of the mighty ships, but people wa died in vain for the evidence of an intention to weigh anchor and put to sea. No puffs of while vapour ascended from steam pipes ; and the funnels, telescopic or otherwise; were smokeless. It was evident that the sailing of the fleet was postponed, and that the sight seers, ashore and afloat, were doomed to disappointment. Still, strong in faith and in the immutability of preconcerted arrangements. thousands refused to believe that at three o'clock each man of-war would not weigh anchor and quit the Spit in grand procession with that mysterious air of movement without causation peculiar to them. Three, half-past 3, and 4 o'clock came and went, a i.d, although the wind had moderated, and the sky in some degree cleared up, not a ship stirred. No oue knew or could tell why (he intention to sail had been altered, hut so it was. It is uncertain now when the fleet sails, whether tomorrow or next day, or at what hour, hut whenever it goes it takes with it the best wishes and prayers of the nation for its safety and success. A maritime people like this does not send forth such armaments without a degree of emotion corresponding to the incalculable interests committed to their safeguard and protec ion. While we entertain no shadow of doubt that our brave sailors will do all that can be done upon the sea to uphold the honour of their flag, we have no reason to be dissatisfied with the amplitude of the means placed at their command by the Government and the country. The Queen has directed a large quantity of biscuits, jellies, jams, and confections to be consigned, at her expense, to Lady de Radcliffe for the use of the sick and wounded at Scutari. It is intended to establish a depot of seamen, artificers, stokers, ike., for service in the Baltic and White Sea fleets in Leith-roads, for which purposes, in addition to her aiajesty’s ship Athol, the guardship in the roads, a 50-gun frigate, is to be stationed there to afford accommodation to volunteers. On Tuesday a large quantity of medical and surgical stores, &c., was shipped from the Towei for conv»yance to Smyrna and Scutari. Among the stores 500 hospital bedsteads, with bedding complete, hip and slipper baths, pails, ic., for the new hospital at The Baltic fleet was under orders to sail from Spithead on Tuesday, the 3rd of April, and many thousands of spectators had assembled to witness its departure. Owing, however, to the weather being exceedingly thick, with a contrary wind blowing almost to a gale, a signal, annulling the order, was hoisted from the flag-ship, the Duke of Wellington. The weather continued unpropilious on the following day, and the fleet still lay to. This immense fleet is the largest and most powerful that ever sailed from this country. It consists of upwards of ninety vessels, or floating batteries, carrying 1195 guns, and propelled by 17,290 horse power of steam. The fleet is composed entirely of steamers, without one sailing vessel. By telegraph we learn that the bulk of the Baltic fleet sailed late yesterday afternoon (April 4th).