Vol. III. — No. 64.] 
Saturday, March 18, 1854. 
[Gratis. 
the field of war. 
OUR WOODEN WALLS. 
DEPARTURE OF THE BALTIC FLEET FROM 
PORTSMOUTH. 
The first division of the Baltic fleet sailed on Saturday, the 
11 tli of March inst., under the command in chief of Vice- 
Aduiiral Sir Charles Nupier, K.C.B., her Majesty the Queen 
leading the fleet to sea. It is impossible to picture the 
excitement that prevailed in Portsmouth. Sir Charles 
Napier had payed to him all the honours duo to a hero and 
a conqueror. At an oarly hour in the morning his flag was 
transferred from the St. Jeand’Acretothe Dukeof Wellington. 
The Neptune, 120, was towed out of harbour, and joined 
the fleet— making the third three-decker in it. Tho pro- 
ceedings on shore commenced at the Guildhall, it being 
determined to present an address to Sir Charles on leaving. 
The council met at 10 o’clock. Amongst other members 
present were the mayor (G. C. Stigant, Esq.), Aldermen 
Scale, Lemmon, Orange, Levy, Gauntlett, Crosweller, Childs, 
Robbins, Bramble — Councillors Hannam, Pluisto, Palmer, 
Weeks, Humby, Solomon, Edwards, Dore, Saunders, Tot- 
terdell, Mial), Wells, R. W. Ford, H. Ford, Sheppard, Gray, 
Pavey, Murrell, Rolph, Vaudenburgh, Emanuel, Stokes, 
Hatch, and Paruall . The aldermen appeared in their 
scarlet gowns, and the councillors in those of black silk. 
The Guildhall was densely crowded with spectators, among 
whom were many ladies, while thousands assembled round 
the approaches to the ball. At a quarter past 10 Sir 
Charles Napier arrived, accompanied by several friends, 
among whom were some ladies, his daughters. The mayor, 
then addressing Sir Charles, said— “ It becomes my duty, as 
mayor of this ancient borough, to announce to you, Sir 
Charles, that the council, at a special meeting yesterday, 
determined to present to you an address on your embarkation 
from this port on the important service to which you have 
been ordered by your Sovereign, to lead our fleet to, we 
hope, victory, and to results that may, we pray to God, have 
such an offect on tho mind of the Sovereign who has plunged 
Europe into war as shall induce him to forego the unjust | 
claims he has set up, and to allow the world to again enjoy 
the blessings of peuce and quiet. Should you, Sir Charles, 
by the operations which you are now to direct, produce 
results such as these, then indeed the country will regard j 
you as one of its greatest men and benefactors. We pray 
that you may be enabled to achieve these groat objects.” 
' The Town-Clerk (John Howard, Esq.) then read tho 
following'address to the gallant admiral : — 
“to vicb-admibal sin chahles napibb, k.c.d. 
“ Sir Charles, — We, the mayor, aldermen, and burgesses of 
the ancient borough of Portsmouth, having learned that you 
were about to embark from our port, to tako command of tho 
powerful fleet destined for tho Baltic Soa, to which distinguished 
position you have been appointed by the favour of our most 
gracious Sovereign, oro anxious ere you leave the British shores 
for the probable scene of actual conflict with that power which lias 
been fitly characterised tho common enemy of Europe, in defcnco 
of tho just and honourable cause which this nation, in conjunction 
with its allies, has espoused, to express our earnest hope that you 
will be enabled, if the necessity arise, to lead the mighty arma- 
ments, of which you have tho command, to some great and 
glorious victory, and thus compel the Autocrat, who has so 
wantonly disturbed the peace of the world, to appreciate the 
courage and resources of England and France united, wlueh lie 
has hitherto dared to set so completely at defiance. Groat, in- 
deed, is the responsibility which rests on you, and groat are the 
expectations and anxieties with which the British people will be 
filled while you are engaged in the difficult, and perhaps perilous, 
duties to which your Queen and country call you. In those 
duties may the God of battles aid and prosper you ; and may the 
combined forces under your control, fighting in cordial union in 
a righteous cause, succeed in materially assisting to bring Ibis 
warfare to a speedy and decisive issue. You and tho equally 
brave and gallant men who will rally around you, will have the 
earnest aspirations not only of the inhabitants of this borough, 
but of tho people of tho United Kingdom. Wo wish you God 
speed, and pray that the war which has been thus needlessly 
forced upon Europe may eventually result in a still more lasting 
pence, check the barbarous policy of aggression, and promote 
tho civilisation of the world. Given under the common seal of 
the borough of Portsmouth, this 10th day of March, 1854. 
“ G. C. Stioant, Mayor.” 
Sir Charles Napier, in reply, said — “I thank you, Mr. 
Mayor and gentlemen, for the terms in which you have ad- 
dressed me, and when I tell you I had only 24 hours to pre- 
pare to go afloat, you will not be surprised at my not being 
able to address you at any length. I must be off to sea, and 
cannot, therefore, address you at any length ; but I beg to 
thank you most sincerely for the address you have presented 
to me. Perhaps it is not usual for a man in going abroad to 
receive such an address, but I can only say that I will do the 
best I can to prevent the British flag from being tarnished. 
(Loud applause.) I know much is expected from this fleet, 
and I think it will be able to do something, but gentlemen 
must not expect too much from it. Wo are going to meet 
no common enemy; we are going to meet one well pre- 
pared. I am sure every officer and man in the fleet will do 
liis duty well and thoroughly; but at the same time you 
must not expect too much. It is well equipped, and 
efficient, but it is newly - formed, and such changes have 
taken place in nautical matters that it is impossible to say 
how much or how little may be achieved. The system of 
warfare is entirely new, and the introduction of steam also 
materially alters tho tactics of war. I can, however, 
assure you that I will — and I know tho officers and crews 
with me will — do everything in my power to uphold tho 
honour of tho country and its navy. Wo will do our duty 
to the best of our ability, and I am suro I shall over re- 
member the kindness of tho people of Portsmouth.” (Loud 
cheers.) 
Sir Charles Napier then left the hall, amid renewed 
plaudits, and proceeded to tho George Hotel, when, having 
completed his business on shore, he walked to the Victoria 
Pier for embarkation. He was accompanied by crowds 
of people, who enthusiastically cheered him as ho passed 
along. 
On arriving at tho Victoria Pier Sir Charles was greeted 
by some enlivening strains from the band of tho 42nd High- 
landers. The pier was decorated most gaily with banners, 
and the weather being delightfully flue the scone was exceed- 
ingly animated and exciting. Several steamers were iu 
waiting to convey excursionists -round tho fleet. On the pier 
Sir Charles was received by the chairman and the directors, 
and tho Corporation having taken their seats, Mr. Dudley, 
as chairman, addressed him: — “ Sir Charles Napier, It is now 
nearly 20 years since I, with others of my townsmen, 
assembled on this spot to welcome your return from your 
victories in Portugal. You are now, sir, embarking to fight 
the battles of your country, and you carry with you the 
united good wishes of all men ; and, Sir Charles, when tho 
time for tho great struggle arrives, and these mighty ships 
aud the brave spirits that animate them are railed into 
action, may tho God of battles give you the victory, and may 
you return in safety witli well-earned honours to a grateful 
country. Sir, lot your watchword ever be, ‘ England aud 
Victory.”' Sir Charles returned thunks. Tho Sprightly, 
steamer, Master-Commanding Allen, took the admiral out 
to his flag-ship ; accompanied by his family and a few 
friends. At one o’clock the Queen was observed approach- 
ing in the Fuiry, on which the whole fleet fired u royal 
saluto. As the royal yacht (followed by the Elfin, Fire 
Queen, Black Eagle, Sic.) came up a signal was made from 
her directing the captains of all the ships to repair on 
board. The Fairy then run to leeward of the fleet aud 
hove to, and the officers in question proceeded on bourd. 
They were not there many minutes ; and, on their leaving 
at half-past one, tho signal was made to weigh anchor, which 
was at once done, the division getting under weigh, and run- 
ning towards the Downs at throe o’clock with glorious 
weather and a fine S.W. breeze. 
The further movements of the division that has sailod will 
be found below. 
The St. Jean d’Acro and Tribune got away from Spithoad 
