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refer more particularly to the colleges . He did not farther state their nature , but promised to have them printed , and to give ample time for tlieir consideration . The Chairman then reported progress . Convktancb op Troops . —Th « Duke of Ne-wcastxk , in answer to some observations from the Earl of Ellenbokough , said the correspondence between Lord Raglan and Marshal St . Arnaud was perfectly authentic . He would only repeat the statement he had made on a former occasion , that her Majesty ' s troops serving in the East had been most amply provided with every means of transport , so far as the sea was concerned ; and he did not think the circumstance of a few boats having been borrowed in the Bospliorus from
our allies , the French , lor the purpose of disembarkatiou , by any means a conclusive proof to the contrary . In consequence of the necessity which existed for sending from this country two of the largest fleets that ever left our shores , it was deemed advisable that the large land force which had also gone to the East- should be conveyed , not in vessels of war , T > ut in vessels hired for the purpose , which had been previously employed in commerce . These vessels , of course , had not flat-bottomed boats , whicli were necessary for the disembarkation of troops engaged in military operations . The French troops had been conveyed chiefly in vessels of
war , which were provided with flat-bottomed T > oats , and upon the occasion referred to in General Brown ' s letter , the French authorities veiy courteously placed some of them at our disposal The House , however , might rely apon it that ample provision was made for the embarkation and disembarkation Df our troops hi cases of emergency in the Black Sea . This was a matter which had been maturely considered , and only this day a letter had' been received from Admiral Boxer , under whose command the transport service had been placed , stating that every necessary provision had been made for the sate and rapid disembarkation of troops on any given point .
aLlkctxg the Navy . —The Date of Newcajstle moved the third reading of the Manning of the Navy Bill . The Earl of Hakdwickb repeated his objections to the bill , contending that as its provisions stood the duties of prize-agents could not be properly discharged . He moved amendments taking away the retrospective operation of the bill with regard to agents , and securing to the officers and crews of her Majesty's ships the right to appoint then- own agents . The Duke of Newcastle contended tliat no case had been made out for the proposed amendments , and that they were only calculated to raise doubts where none existed . Lord Brougham recommended words to be inserted with the view of avoiding doubts , and he eulogised the services of the
navy and prize-agents . . ' ¦ The House then divided on the first amendment . The numbers were—for the amendment , 34 ; against it , 47 ; majority against , 13 . The bill passed . Thb Eauavay Box . —On tie motion for going into committee on the Railway and Canal Traffic Regulation Bill , Lord Campbbxx , said , he had consulted with his brother judges iu respect to this bill , and they were unanimously of opinion that the duties sought to be imposed upon them were not judicial duties . The great majority felt they were not properly competent to perform them . But if such duties
were to be put upon the common-law judges , tie suggested that they should be limited to the Court of Common Pleas . The Lord Chancellor , said the duties proposed to be placed upon the judges were , as nearly as possible , the same as they now discharged in cases which went to trial . At the same time , he bad no objection to limit them to the Common Pleas . Lord Stanley of Alderlky also assented to this alteration . After a few words from Earl Fitzwilliam , the House went into committee ; and the clauses , with amendments , having been agree *! to , the bill was reported .
Business of thts House . —Sir John Pakington , as chairman of the Select Committee on Business , moved the committee ' s resolutions . Their object is to facilitate public business by saving time . Chiefly they relate to proceedings in committees of the whole House , add abolish , several stages on which the Speaker has hitherto been in the habit of forma ll y putting the question that such and such a thing should be done . The most important resolution adopted was that several bins Btanding for committal on the same day might be taken in succession in the same committee , provided no
objection was taken fcv any member to any bill about to be brought under consideration . The present practice is for the speaker to leave the chair on the House going into committee upon a bill , his place being taken by the Chairman of Committees . When all the clauses have been separately considered , he leaves the chair ; the Speaker resumes his seat -, and the committee of the whole House becomes the House again . That process is repeated on every bill . The object of the resolution is to save the time occupied in the change . Another resolution was rejected without a division . It was that the House should adjourn from Friday to Monday , as a matter of course , unless otherwise ordered . On this motion for adjournment statements are made , sometimes by Government , sometimes by members , of an important nature . From all sides there came objections to abolishing this privilege , Mr . Bkioht leading the way , and followed by Mr . Dibkakli and Lord John Russell . The resolution ¦ was , therefore , withdrawn .
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NAVAL ACTIONS IN THE BALTIC . GALLANT KXrLOIT OF THE ARROGANT AND HECLA . Tub Arrogant has been detached from the fleet for a considerable time , employed in recennoitering the enemy ' 8 posts and shores about Hango Bay . While bo employed , tlie Hecla , commanded by Capt . Hall whose services in the China war are so well known , joined her . Both ships planned a little expedition of their own , which has turned out quite a gallant manoeuvre . The two ships proceeded up a narrow river , and
on anchoring on the evening of the 19 th instant , the enemy , from behind a high sand bank , in a thickly--wooded place , fired upon one of the boats , which was at that time pulling at a distance of from six to eight hundred yards from the shore , round shot also striking the Hecla . Both ships leat to quarters , cast loose their guns , loaded with shot and shell , which they poured into the wood ,, and against the sand barricade , whence the enemy was quickly dislodged . The vessels were not further molested that evening—the anchorage was shifted for the night , and all made snug , with watches posted .
At two in the morning both ships again weighed , the Hecla leading , both ships' companies standing by their guns . After about three hours quietly feeling their way along the intricate navigation of the river , both ships came suddenly within range of an enemy ' s battery . The Hecla opened fire , which was quickly answered from the fort ; the promontory upon which , stood the battery was crowded with soldiers , fine stalwart-looking fellows , with long grey coats , and spiked steel helmets glittering in the sun . While the battery was firing upon the Hecla , the Arrogant let fly a whole broadside amongst the soldiery . A troop of horse artillerr , when the smoke cleared off , was observed scampering away . A prolonged and heavy fire of musketry now ensued from the wood , and Minie balls fell thick on board both ships . The Arrogant now got aground within twenty yards of the battery . However , before attempting to haul the ship off , the enemy's guns were dismounted by a broadside , and the ship was then got off" in safety . On passing the fort where the guns had been dismounted , a terrible sight was witnessed—gun-carriages blown to fragments , guns dismounted , helmets and knapsacks strewed about without owners . The town of Eckness now opened , and there lay the ships , the objects of the expedition . The Arrogant was obliged to anchor here , as the water was shallow ; the Hecla proceeded on , but another battery now opened fire , upon her . The Arrogant , swung broadside on , kept up a cannonade , while the Hecla passed , firing shells on . the enemy as she did so ,, ran up alongside of a barque , took her in tow , and steamed away with her , to the librror of the inhabitants . "When this little expeditionary force was returning they were joined by the Dauntless , she having been sent on by the coramander-in - chief to ascertain the cause and source of the firing , which was distinctly audible as the squadron steamed into Hango-roads . The Heels had' several shot 'through ; her funnel , steam-pijie , and hull , one shot passing right through the ship ' s side . The roundshot and shell went over the Arrogant . Both ships were * studded with Minie balls . The Arrogant had one man shot through the heart , and a man wounded by a bullet in the navel , which ball went through his intestines , and passed out at his back . He lived until yesterday . Both were veiy good men . The Hecla had one man shot or drowned while wounded . Captain Hall was resolved not to leave without carrying back some military trophy . He gallantly landed with his marines , threw them out as skirmishers , while himself and a party of men hoisted one gun ( an iron one ) into his boat , and placed it on board the Hecla . The Arrogant and Hecla , vifh their prize in tow , joined the fleet on the 21 st . The Comnoander-in-Cnief hoisted the signal , " We l l done Arrogant and Hecla . " The flag-ship manned the rigging ; her example was followed by several other ships—all of whom gave the heroes three heartv cheers .
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The following is a somewhat detailed account of the bombardment of Hango forts : — "In the afternoon of the 22 d ; the Dragon , Captain Wilcox , was ordered to take up a position close by an island , where a buoy had teen previously laid down . This position flanked the principal fort , Gustavua Svard , and only two guns evidently , out of the many that mounted the walls , could be trained to bear upon her . The vessel was now ordered , by signal from the flag-ship , to try range of guns . She immediately opened lire . After the second or third shot the fort replied . The ship and fort thus continued the engagement for about three and a half hours , during which Beveral of the Dragon's shells burst right over the centre of tlie fort , and must have caused severe loss . Two of the shells which struck
the walls did considerable mischief , smashing up one of the embrasures . The engagement was not a rapid one , on the contrary , ai slow and steady fire was maintained on both sidos . The Magicienno was ordered , somewhat later in the day , to a corresponding position on the opposite side of the small , narrow , rocky island in question , and opened an effective fire upon one of the masked batteries on the land side , into whicli she threw several shells . The battery replied with shell , aad , it is thought , vitU red-hot shot , but the Magicienno was evidently out of range . The Basilisk next joined the group . The Hecla , Captain Hall , was engaging the fort Gustavus Adolphus . Several of her shot and shell told with great effect . All the shots from , the fort against th
- ^^•^^ ' ^^^^^^^ mmmmm ^^ m ^ tm ^^ m ^^ mmmi Hecla fell short . The Hecla remained at her anchorage for the night . The other steamers were recalled about half-past four . The guns of the forts must have been worked at extreme elevation . The fire was therefore rather a plunging one , and but little ricochet in consequence . The Dragon alone had any casualties—on © man killed and another wounded . bhe was struckthree or four times . "
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A letter received from Hango , dated the 24 th , gives an interesting account of the recent movements of the fleet : — " My despatch of the 16 th instant from Gottlaud informed you of the main division of the English fleet , togetler with the French screw line-of-battle ship Ansterlita , being in the vicinity of the Island of Gottska Sando—off which they had becn _ cruising for some days previously . Having received the provisions from the steam-transport Hofyrood , aad placed on board her , for conveyance to England , invalids , supernumeraries , &c , the fleet proceeded in a northerly direction . On the 17 th , Rear-Admiral Corry was detached from the fleet on particular service , taking under orders the weather column , comprising the flag-ship the Neptune , 1120 , Monarch
84 , Boscawen , 70 , Prince Itegent , 90 , CumberianU , 70 , together with the James Watt , 91 , of the centre column '; the Royal Geosge , 120 , and Ajax , 68 , of tlie lee column , leaving in company with the Cominandef-in-Cbief nine sail of the line and one steam-fri g ate of the first class . The squadron of observation , consisting of several paddle-wheelaiiq screwsteamers , under the orders of jtear-Admiral Phinuidge , are constantly separated from "the main body of the fleet ^ for the purpose of intercepting any of the enemy ' si vessels which , perchance , may be proceeding down the Baltic Sea into tl | O Great or Little Belts . The fleet was becalmed ia the evening , and signalled to rende-zvous at Hango . ¦* - •> ¦ ' " On the 18 th , at noon , the lighthouse on the island df Outo was made , bearing N . N . E . 20 mules , the latitude being 59 deg . 25 min . N ., and long . 21 deg . 10 Wiri , « . - The Cressy , 80 , Captain B . L . Warren , and Stv Jean a * Acre
, Captain the Hon . H . Keppell , were ordered to proceed in chase of two strange sails . They provedto be'merchant vessels , freighted with spirits and plank for English ports ! and having sailed from Russian ports prior to the 15 th instant , the date fixed on by the order in council of the 15 th of April , as the limit to winch the enemy ' s vessels would be permitted to convey articles of merchandise , hot contraband of war , to any ports in tlie United Kingdom , they were allowed to proceed on their voytge . Another of Chose dense fogs , so prevalent in the Baltic at this period of the . year , set in early in tlie morning of the 19 th , and continued until noon —the flag-ships Dnke of Wellington and Edinburgh in the meanwhile firing guns every half-how to denote position . A seaman of the latter ship tell overboard , but was saved . - Ifc the evening the ships were ordered to prepare for coming to an anchor . '
" At 5 a . m . of the 20 th , Hango Island , 'the northern point at the entrance of the Grilf of Finlatiii , was observed ; "" The St . George , 120 , Captain H . Eyres , joined the maiji * boay of the fleet for the hrst time . / The . Dauntless . 33 >> Captain Ryder , made her number , communicated with the Cothmunder-in-Chief , and was ordered to keep a good look-out in the offing . The Duke of Wellington , 131 , and Edinburgh , 58 , got up steam , and stood in for tlie roadstead of Hango . The Edinburgh , preceded by the Lightning as pioneer , steamed direct for the latteries , followed by the Duke of Wellington , the Blenheim in tow of the Basilisk , Hogue in tow ot the Gorgon , and Cressy in tow of tlie Dragon . B y noon , these ships were at anchor off the fortress or Gustafsvarn , at a distance from it of abou £ two miles . The St . George , Princess Soya ] , St . Jean d'Acre , &o ., were then taken in tow by the paddle steamers , and by
sunset the whole of the ships in company with the commander-in-chief , and coqsisting of nine sail-of-the-line , one steam-frigate of the first class , and four paddle-wheel steamsloops , had anchored abreast the fortifications of Hango . In the meanwhile the store-ship Tyne , Master Commander J . Tucker , arrived with stores and ammunition for the fleet and a Russian barque was captured outside the roadstead by one of the steam cruisers " . With Admiral Corry * s division ot Dago , the main body cf the fleet , with the commander-inchief at Hango—the various steam frigates , &c ., cruising between the two points—a most effective blockade of the-Gulf of Finland is established , aad the advanced squadron of paddlo- \ yheel and screw steam-sloops , under the orders of Rear-Admiral Plunrmdge , dispersed in various quarters , mast capture any of the enemy ' s vessels entering or leaving the Baltic . "
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The Russian account of tliese operations , pnbliahed in the veracious Invalid * Russe and Gazette de St . Petersbourg of the 24 th ult ., is as folio we : — " We have this instant received two reports from tlio commander of the forces in Finland , dated May 20 and 21 , on the opening of hostilities in tha Gulf of Finland , which , thanks to God and tlie intrepidity of our troops , have been signalised by fresh success for the Jtussian arms . " In his erst report , Lieutennnt-Generul Rokassooski an < - noances that on tho 20 th of May 17 English screw twodeckers approached Hangoudd , and there carne to anchor ; on tho evening bofore , two screw frigates and one steamboat , also English , had approached tho strait of Witsand , between the island at' Hull-ae and the shoro of the peninsula of Hantroudd , near the canal loading to t ! i « town of Eckenasa , and nud commenced cannonading the battery erected near the narrows of Witannd .
" In his report of tho 21 st , Liout .-General Rokassooski brings to the knowledge of his Majesty tho Emperor , that the squadron of tho enemy , anchored oft Hangeudd , had not yet undertaken anything , and tlio flotilla whiuh showod itself near Eckoniiss being boldly received by our troops under the command of Lieutenant-General Ramzal , who ia charged with the command of tlio detachments of Abo and Pojo , was repulsed -with loss , itnd did not dare attack Eckeniiss .
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Jim * 3 , 1854 . ] THE LEADER . 50 $
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Leader (1850-1860), June 3, 1854, page 509, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2041/page/5/
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