SUSPICIOUS SALE OF ENGLISH SHIPS OF WAR.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1997, 17 December 1863, Page 4

SUSPICIOUS SALE OF ENGLISH SHIPS OF WAR.

(From the Western Morniny Neivs.) Within the last few months three steam vessels of war have been sold out of the navy at Plymouth by her Majesty's Government, viz., the Avon, Hecla, and Merlin. These vessels are now lying in the basin of the Great Western Docks, being sold out in an effective state, and not merely for the purpose of breaking up. The Hecla and Merlin have since been re-christened, the former as the Typhoon and the latter as the Sea Hawk. These two vessels are said to helong to a London company, of whom Mr Roberts is the representative. The Sea Hawk, which is the only one of the vessels that is fitting out, has been recently brought before the public somewhat prominently. An advertisement has gone the round of tbe papers, setting forth a scheme fora yachting tour in the Mediterranean, Balaclava, and the East. Every comfort was to be provided. The vessel it was said, was " well known as a superior sea boat, and of great speed ; while her engines were of the most substantial powerful character;" baths, ice-well, a chaplin, an experienced surgeon, a good band, and professed cooks were to be provided. She was to be commanded by a retired naval officer, and a high class engineer, "and a picked man-of-war's crew to be engaged !" The vessel referred to was the Sea JHawk, and the day appointed for her leaving Plymouth was the 9th of August. A large number of men have been busily employed upon her, the majority engaged in fitting up suitable cabins for the accommodation of passengers. She. has been fresh caulked and sheathed with Munts patent metal, and her spars are now being got in. The scheme for the tour has, however, apparently fallen to the ground, not more than thirty applications, we are informed, having been made to secure berths. During the past week a large number of men employed in fitting up the cabins having been discharged, and tbe work discontinued ; but the fitting out otherwise continues. She will, however, not be ready for sea without her cabin fittings, for at least a month later than the advertised time of sailing. Tbe Sea Hawk is, as the Merlin appeared in the Navy List as a six-gun paddle-wheel vessel, of about 1000 tons, and 312 horse power. Sbe was built for the mail service, and »vas first employed in running between Holyhead and Dublin. She was afterwards employed in carrying in the Mediterranean, and subsequently formed part of tbe West Coast of Africa squadron. She now bears all the usual appearance of a man-of-war, her shot racks, &c, not having been removed. For some reason a. general feeling seems to prevail that she is intended to carry the Confederate flag, and that the tour proposed was only set forth to cover her real destination; but nothing beyond surmises are advanced injsupport of such a suggestion. An application has been made to the Customs' to register her as a British ship, and the request it is understood, has been complied with.