THE BRITISH NAVY.-In pursuance of our usual practice to offer names and enumerate figures in support of assertions, against which objections have been taken by other parties, we submit a list of the line-of-battle ships possessed by England, which are either at present in active service, in sound and serviceable condition, or capable, with moderate repairs, of being made fit for commission within a reasonable time; and to these we have added the list of ships building. All our line-ofbattle ships employed as receiving ships, depôts, quarantine vessels, hospitals, convict ships, or which may be so badly out of order as to require very extensive repairs, to fit them for sea, more than twenty in number, have been omitted from this list, which is given as a fair statement of the solid strength of the British Navy in the line of battle. On a future day we may offer an equally particular enumeration of the frigates, steamers, and smaller vessels. We would merely observe that our information is derived from authentic sources, and may challenge investigation. In Commission.-Britannia, 120; Howe, 120; Impregnable, 101; Rodney, 92; Ganges, 84; Asia, 84; Powerful, 84; Thunderer, 84; Vanguard, 80; Bellerophon, 78; Cambridge, 78; Belleisle, 72; Benbow, 72; Blenheim, 72; Donegal, 72; Edinburgh, 72; Hastings, 72; Implacable, 72; Melville, 72; Revenge, 72; and Wellesley, 72.— Total 21. Demonstration Ships, or Reserve.-Caledonia, 120; St. Vincent, 120; Queen, 110; Camperdown, 104; Queen Charlotte, 104; Agincourt, 72; Cornwallis, 72; Hawk, 72; Hercules, 72; Malabar, 72; Pembroke, 72; and Russell, 72.-Total, 12. In good condition.-Royal William, 120; Nelson, 120; Hibernia, 120; Neptune, 120; Prince Regent, 120; Royal George, 120; Waterloo, 120; Royal Adelaide, 104; Nile, 92; Formidable, 84; Vengeance, 84; Clarence, 84; Monarch, 84; Bombay, 84; Calcutta, 84; Foudroyant, 78; Indus, 78; Achille, 76; Ajax, 72; Wellington, 72; Imaum, 72; Black Prince, 72; Illustrious, 72; Carnatic, 72; and Egmont, 72.-Total, 25. Repairing, or wanting repairs.-Canopus, 84; Minden, 72; Talavera, 72; Armada, 72; Bellona, 72; Defence, 72; Devonshire, 72; Hague, 72; Minotaur, 72; Pitt, 72; Redoubtable, 72; Sultan, 72; Tremendous, 72; Invincible, 72; Kent, 72; and Medway, 72.Total, 16. Building.- St. George, 120; will be launched on the 27th; London, 92. do. on the 29th; Trafalgar, 120, do. in February; Algiers, 110; Royal Frederick, 110; Victoria, (in frame), 110; Albion (in frame), 90; Prince Albert, 90; Colossus, 80; Collingwood, 80; (nearly planked); Mars, 80; (in frame); Majestic, 80; Superb, 80; (in frame); Lion, 80; Irresistable, 80; Hindostan, 80; Centurion, 80; Goliath, 80 (nearly planked); Boscawen, 70; Cumberland, 70; and two ships of 80 guns each, building in India, not yet named.— Total, 22. Total number of line-of-battle ships 96.-Devonport Independent Telegraph. TABLE LX. For reducing Cracow Feet to English Feet, and English Feel to 1 Cracow Foot 1.169381659 English Feet. LAW DECISIONS. DIANA.-Collision.-This case which has stood over for decision for a length of time, has now terminated in the blame being decided as imputable to the master and pilot, and that there was evidence of the want of a good look out. The master was therefore condemned in damages and costs, the latter to commence when the act on petition was written to with reference to the merits of the case. PROTECTOR AND Berzelius.-Collision.-Pilot proved to be in fault, causing the collision, the owners of the Protector not chargable with the amount of damage and therefore dismissed. SHAKINGS. THE BRITANNIA, the first vessel of Mr. Cunard's line of packets from Halifax, has arrived at Liverpool, in the short space of nine and a half days from that place, her outward passage having been made in twelve. RAMSGATE. A temporary Red Light is now substituted for the usual light on the west pier head, until the repairs which have been going on since the 12th of August are completed. THE SKERRIES LIGHT concerning which the proceedings of a meeting will be found in our March number, (page 192,) are no longer to be a heavy tax on vessels passing "from one Irish port to another." So says a decree from the Treasury, thus abolishing what has long been considered a heavy and obnoxious tax. THE THAMES TUNNEL is to be opened for foot passengers next spring, when John Bull will have the gratification of walking over or under his favourite river. THE CALEDONIAN CANAL has been made over by act of parliament to the care and management of a joint stock company, and it is said is to be made "seviceable." SIR HARRY NEALE.-A monument is to be erected to the memory of the late Sir Harry Neale, on Mount Pleasant near Lymington. THE RUNDLE STONE is about to become a beacon for Mariners under the direction of the Trinity House. H.M.S PELORUS, Com. (act.) A. L. Kuper suffered most severely in a hurricane at Port Essington in November last, by which her boatswain and seven seamen were lost. It appears that the brig was driven on shore, and lay on her beam ends in the mud, in the harbour, but by great exertions has been got afloat and will proceed to Sydney. The new town of Victoria has also suffered considerably, the principal house having been carried by the violence of the wind a considerable distance over the quay. H.M.S. Britomart rendered great assistance. NEW BOOKS. A NARRATIVE OF THE BATTLE OF ST. VINCENT, with anecdotes of Nelson before and after that Battle:-By Colonel Drinkwater Bethune, F.S.A.-Saunders and Otley, Conduit Street. 1840. We read in the preface to this narrative that it is published "with the view of adding any profits which may accrue from the sale, to the sum already contributed to the fund for erecting a memorial to do honor to the immortal Nelson." So worthy and excellent a motive is beyond praise, and we cordially wish the pains and trouble which the gallant author has employed, may be attended with all the success which so noble an object deserves. To the work itself the artist has not spared himself,-it is throughout "well finished to use a term of trade. A beautifully engraved frontispiece of a bust of Nelson, while in command of the Captain (in which ship he contributed so largely to the suc cess of the battle,) introduces the "narrative," which is also enriched with plates, shewing the position of the hostile ships at eight different periods of the action. The naval reader will see the importance of these in a historical point of view, and will appreciate the facts detailed by the Colonel from a knowledge of the favourable position which he occupied on board the Lively for observing them. In making these remarks to our professional readers, we shall again remind them of the grand motive which led to the appearance of the volume, and commend it on this account in particular to their patronage, as we regret to find by the report of the committee, that the funds are yet far short of the estimate for the proposed memorial! NEW CHARTS. (Published by the Admiralty.) ENGLAND.-West Coast.-THE FRITH OF SOLWAY.-Surveyed by Lieutenant C. G. Robinson, R.N. 1837. The Cumberland shore in this important chart (to the trade of Carlisle,) is included as far south as Harrington, and the opposite one of Kircudbright to Abbey Head,--and it shews the whole navigation up to that city, as well as up the river Nith to Dumfries. It contains ample soundings, leading marks and views for the navigator, and is highly creditable to the assiduous and skilful surveyor whose name it bears. NEW ZEELAND. SOUTH ISLE.-ROWABOUKI ROAD.-From a Sketch communicated by Lieutenant Orlando Wilson, R.N. 1839. This is one of those fugitive pieces of hydrography which a zealous attention to the wants of others brings to a copper-plate engraving. Many such we have no doubt are in the bands of our merchant captains, to whom we recommend the example of Lieutenant Wilson. It is doubtless well known to our New Zeeland traders, and will be a useful plan to those frequenting Goulburn Island. PART OF THE COAST OF CHINA, from Namoa to Amoy.-From a Sketch by Felix Dayot, Captain of the Diana, 1805. AMOY HARBOUR.-By the same. The above appear together in one sheet, the former being a portion of coast contained in sheet 3 of the series noticed in our June number, and the latter a careful plan, which will apprize the seaman of the known dangers in approaching one of the most frequented harbours on the whole China coast. We have before said that our acquaintance with Chinese hydrography is very limited, and a comparison of the sheets above-mentioned is alone a sufficient proof of it. Still until we have the improved data of our modern surveyors, the careful seaman will consult all extant authorities, and this sheet has a peculiar claim to his attention from the great importance of the harbour it contains, and the known correctness of Captain Dayot, in the detail which he gives. PROMOTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS. PROMOTIONS. [ We perceive that Lieut. J. Simpson (e) whose promotion as commander we recorded in our last number, was the Senior Naval Lieutenant afloat in the regular service, having been wounded in action, and twice in the Gazette, be-ides having held five commands, and gained the approbation of all his commanding officers ] From the Gazette.-Admiralty, Aug. 17.-This day in pursuance of her Majesty's pleasure, the undermentioned retired rear-admirals have been transferred to the Active List of Flag-officers of her Majesty's fleet: To be Vice-admirals of the Blue.-J. Chesshyre, Esq., taking rank next after ViceAdmiral R. Lloyd; B. R. Littlehailes, Esq., taking rank next after Vice-Admiral Sir F. W. Austen. * Page 458. To be Rear-Admirals of the Red.-C. Wollaston, Esq., taking rank next after Rear-Admiral H. Hill; C. Tinling, Esq., taking rank next after Rear-Admiral Sır G. Munday; R. Peacocke, Esq. taking rank next after Rear-Admiral F. Warren; N. Tomlinson, Esq., taking rank next after Rear-Admiral the Earl of Dundonald ; J. Katon, Esq., taking rank next after Rear-Admiral G. McKinley. To be Rear-Admirals of the White.-R. Poulden, Esq., taking rank next after Rear-Admiral the Hon. Ď. P. Bouverie; P. Ribouleau, Esq., M. Buckle, Esq., J. Allen, Esq., and J. Noble, Esq., taking rank between Rear-Admiral J. Dick and Rear-Admiral A. J. Griffiths; F. H. Coffin, Esq., J. Baron de Raigersfeld, and C. J. W. Nesham, Esq., taking rank between Rear-Admiral A. J. Griffiths and RearAdmiral Sir C. Bullen; J. Wight, Esq., H. F. Edgell, W. Butterfield, Esq. and W. Young, Esq. taking rank between Rear-Admiral Sir C. Bullen and Rear-Admiral E. Galway; J. Walton, Esq., taking rank next after Rear-Admiral E. Galway; B. M. Praed, Esq., S. Mottley, Esq., E. W. Browne, Esq., J. R. Smollett, Esq., Hon. W. Le Poer Trench, E. S. Clay, Esq., and C. Carter, Esq., taking rank between Rear-Admiral S. C. Rowley, and Rear-Admiral T. Browne; W. H. B. Tremlett, Esq., taking rank next after Rear-Admiral Sir S. Pym; S. Butcher, Esq. taking rank next after Rear-Admiral R. Jackson. To be Rear-Admirals of the Blue.-M. Goodwin, Esq., taking rank next after Rear-Admiral Lord G. Stuart; Sir S. Davenport, Knt., c.B. and K.C.H., taking rank next after Rear-Admiral Sir H. Pigott; F. Temple, Esq., taking rank next after Rear-Admiral C. Richardson; H. Gordon, Esq., taking rank next after Rear-Admiral Sir A. Farquhar; J. S. Carden, Esq., taking rank next after Rear-Admiral J. R. Dacres; J. W. Holland, Esq., J. Impey, Esq., H. M. Ommaney, Esq., A. Duff, Esq., taking rank between Rear-Admiral J. Sykes and Rear-Admiral Hon. D. H. Mackay; Hon. Major J. Henniker, taking rank next after Rear-Admiral F. Mason. COMMANDERS-Sidney, Colpoys, Dacres, (commanding the Salamander steam vessel,) and Nicholas Cory, of the North Star, to the rank of Captain, for services on the Coast of Spain. LIEUTENANTS-George Thomas Gordon (of the Comet,) and the Hon. Edmund Plunkett, (of the Savage,) to the rank of Commander, for services on the Coast of Spain. MATES-Marcus Knox, 1831, Robert Chas. Whyte 1832, Robert Robertson. 1832, to the rank of Lieutenant. J. E. Vallack, T. F. Birch, all of the North Star. ASSISTANT-SURGEON-James Salmon, of the North Star to the rank of Surgeon. APPOINTMENTS. SHEERNESS-Aug. 4.-Vice-Admiral Sir Henry Digby, K.C.B., &c. &c., has this morning taken command as port admiral here; his flag was hoisted, and saluted agreeably to the routine of the service. Sir Robert Otway, Bart. кCB. our late vice-admiral, will leave here in a few days for town. CAPTAINS-Sir H. J. Baker, to Howe, flag-ship at Sheerness. H. D. Trotter, to command the Niger expedition. Captain Henry Smith, commanding her Majesty's ship Volage, doing duty in China, has been appointed a Companion of the Honourable and Military Order of the Bath. COMMANDERS-W. J. Williams, to Stromboli. J. N. Nott to Excellent. F. Warden to Medea. nix. B. L. Le Mesurier to Daphne. E. B. Stewart to Victory. J. Steane to command Sheerwater. S. MASTERS-G. Grant to Stromboli. SURGEONS-T. H. Nation to Stromboli. PURSER-E. Rowe to Stromboli. J. Mountsteven to Medea. SECOND MASTERS-W. Lidstone, to Cuckoo. J. Dor (act. mast.) to Lucifer. W. S. Hele to Sheerwater. H. Paul to Athol. E. M. Fox, J. Hughes to Apollo. J. W. Lawson to Sheerwater. MATES-R. Webber to Rodney. H Smith to Vanguard. E. Boyd to Niger expedition. J. G. Napier to Vanguard. B. Helpman to command Champion.. Col. Schooner at Swan River. W. C. C. Chamberlain to Stromboli. B. Proctor to Rodney. A. P. Greene to Niger expedition. T. Belgrave to Rodney. C. Sullivan to Excellent. G. C. Briggs to |