The _Jenny d’ Acre_, as the seamen called her, got kudos: her performance talked of at the clubs in London. On one occasion Lord Adolphus Fitz-Clarence remarked on the great advantage of an auxiliary screw. To which Sir James Graham replied, “Hang the fellow! He had no screw down!” Friend Brierly was on board, and made a very clever sketch of _Gondola_ and the _Acre_. [Sidenote: Sept. 30.] Fleet weighed, outermost ships first. Steamed and sailed out of harbour. On getting outside we found _Agamemnon_, 91, screw steamship, Captain Sir Thomas Maitland, Commander Robert Hall; _Hogue_, 60, Captain William Ramsay; _Blenheim_, 60, Captain Hon. Frederick T. Pelham; _Imperieuse_, 50, screw steam frigate, Captain Rundle B. Watson (Viscount Gilford, a lieutenant); _Tribune_, 30, screw steam frigate, Captain Hon. S. T. Carnegie; _Vulture_, 6, steam frigate, Captain Fred. H. H. Glasse; _Desperate_, 8, screw steam ship, Captain William W. Chambers; and _Sidon_, 22, paddle wheel, Captain George Goldsmith. Parted company. Remainder formed in two divisions--WEATHER: consisting of _Prince Regent_ (flag), 90, Captain Frederick Hutton; _St. Jean d’ Acre_, 101; _Amphion_, 34, screw steam frigate, Captain Astley C. Key; _Highflyer_, 21, screw steam frigate, Captain John Moore. LEE DIVISION: _Duke of Wellington_, 130, screw steamship, Commodore Henry B. Martin; _London_, 90, Captain Charles Eden; _Arrogant_, 47, screw steamship, Captain Hastings R. Yelverton; _Valorous_, 16, Captain Claude Buckle. [Sidenote: Oct. 3.] 8 A.M.--Made all plain sail to try rate of sailing (per signal) on a wind. Trial chiefly between the _Duke of Wellington_ and _St. Jean d’ Acre_, in which the latter had the advantage, a trifle only; the rest nowhere. _Acre_ requiring trifle more false keel! 5 P.M.--Formed order of sailing. [Sidenote: Oct. 5.] Tried rate of sailing off the wind, in which _St. Jean d’ Acre_ was best. [Sidenote: Oct. 8.] 9 A.M.--Got steam up. Admiral on board. Hoisted his flag. Tried speed with _Duke of Wellington_--about equal. Engineers complaining of the coals. 2 P.M.--Admiral returned to his ship, taking flag with him. [Sidenote: Oct. 10.] 9.30 A.M.--Laid out targets. Fleet exercised at general quarters, firing at a mark. [Sidenote: Oct. 12.] 10 A.M.--Got steam up to try rate with _Duke of Wellington_ under steam and canvas together; just as we got our steam well up, _Duke_ broke down. [Sidenote: Oct. 15.] Came to at Spithead with the fleet. Moored. Found _Blenheim_, 60; _Leopard_, 12; brig _Rolla_, 6; and _Sidon_, 22; also a Russian corvette. [Sidenote: Oct. 17.]