The Scourge, steamer sloop, was taken out on Tuesday morning to the back of the Isle of Wight, by Commodore Chads, of the Excellent, for the purpose of trying the effects of firing the mortar and long pivot gun with which she has been fitted. Some idea may be formed of the dead weight on board this vessel from the following facts:- The mortar (a 13 inch) weighs 100 cwt. 3 qrs. 2 Ibs. ; its bed 81 cwt The supporters of the mortar from the keel consist of eighteen perpendicular "uprights," and four diagonal, of African oak, weighing together five tons. The pivot gun is a 56-pounder, ten feet long, weighing 86 cwt. She went out with 100 tons of coals on board; she appeared to swim considerably by the stern as she went out of harbour, but her full speed was ascertained to be 12½ miles per hour.

Two rounds were fired from the mortar with a charge of 5 lbs. of powder, two rounds following the first with 8 lbs. powder, two rounds with 10 lbs. of powder, one round with 15 lbs. of powder, and seven with 20 lbs. of powder. On examining the machinery after each discharge, it was found to have sustained no damage whatever ; indeed, scarcely any concussion was felt until the 20 lb. charges were fired. The funnels were a little shaken, which was the only perceptible effect produced on the vessel. The day was very unfavourable for ascertaining the result of such an experiment, being very foggy, wet, and thick, consequently the range of the shells could not be ascertained The "keel" of the vessel at the last two rounds, when firing abeam, was two feet; and when firing right astern, the vessel came down by the stern eight inches. Her shell room will contain 390 shells of 200 lbs. each of thirteen inches diameter. She is of 1124 tons burthen, and 420 horse-power. The long 56 was not fired. The experiments were superintended by Captain Chads, of the Excellent ; Captain Stevens, Royal Marine Artillery; and Commodore Coffin, late of the Excellent. The opinion of the above officers was unanimous with regard to the entire success of the experiment.

Second Trial.- On Thursday, the Scourge again proceeded to the eastward of the Wight, under the able superintendence of Captain Chads, accompanied by nearly the same officers and seamen gunners from the Excellent, gunnery ship, as on the previous occasion. Mr. Taplin, the principal engineer and mechanist of the Portsmouth dockyard, was also on board, and was in the engine room of the Scourge to observe the effect of the concussion on the machinery ; he was also on board her during the practice of Tuesday last. The practice of Thursday has been even more satisfactory and conclusive than that of Tuesday, inasmuch that no less than twelve consecutive 13-inch shells, with the 20-pound charge of powder, were fired in the short space of twenty-three minutes, whereby the mortar must have attained a high degree of heat, at which time the concussion and the shock accompanying the discharge would be at its greater power. The Scourge was also under full steam during this time; the shocks were considerable, but none of the machinery was in the smallest degree misplaced ; the paddle-wheels did not even stop an instant nor was the hydrometer of the engine, which is a most sensative (sic) instrument, affected: the vessel received no damage, nor was anything disarranged, except the shaking of two or three thin bulkheads, and the stopping of a watch in one of the officer's pockets. Captain Chads then proceeded to try the 16 feet 56-pounder pivot gun of 87 cwt. Two boats were moored in a line, some distance apart, and the Scourge taking up a position about two miles from them, proceeded to fire at the nearest; the greatest charge for long range was used, being 14 lb. of powder ; forty shots were fired, and the gun was found to answer admirably ; the recoil was so slight that the breeching was scarcely on the stretch. No shot struck the boats, but the direction and pitch of the shot were admirable. The Scourge returned to Portsmouth harbour about six o'clock in the evening, and was taken alongside the yard yesterday morning to be cleared out and thoroughly examined.

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