22 VISITED BY THE ADMIRALTY. [April, 



Blues of the Arsenal, and finally by a very unexpected 

 sally from the Minie Rifle division at the Marshes, who 

 had advanced to the river-side. 



And now all was silent. Deep thought prevailed, and 

 the fidgety, short walk clearly indicated that some weight 

 had been removed, and that duty was sought for change. 



Shortly after noon the first stage of our eventful 

 journey was accomplished, and the vessels secured to 

 their mooring-buoys at Greenhithe. 



On the 1 6th the vessels were swung for local attraction 

 due to the iron on the compasses. My duties carried me 

 to London. Captain Johnson performed this duty, Cap- 

 tain Kellett attending to his own ship. The stowage and 

 iron fittings of the tenders remaining nearly the same, 

 the tables for those vessels remained unchanged. 



The 'North Star,' having been detained by provision still 

 unstowed, dropped down and joined company. The pow- 

 der was embarked in rather large quantity for blasting 

 purposes, and nothing now prevented our proceeding but 

 final instructions, and the customary visit of the Lords of 

 the Admiralty, which had already been duly notified. 



On Monday, the 19th, the Board, comprising His 

 Grace the Duke of Northumberland, Rear-Admiral Sir 

 P. Hornby, Captain Sir T. Herbert, Captain Milne, the 

 Private Secretary, and Sir B. W. Walker, the Surveyor of 

 the Navy, inspected the ships, officers, and crews. Privy 

 Council duties requiring the attendance of the Duke in 

 town, the Board left rather in haste, leaving me to re- 

 ceive and entertain Prince D'Aguila, from the Neapo- 

 litan Court, for which purpose the state barge had been 

 sent down with Mr. Gore, flag-lieutenant, from Woolwich. 



