The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1887-07-30 00:00:00

THE NAVAL REVIEW

AT SPITHE AD.
BRILLIANT SCENE.

It was amidst the most delightful surroundings
that her Majesty on Saturday held a review of the
force upon whom will mainly depend in time of war-
fare the defence of these shores. The weather was
gloriously fine, and scarcely a ripple disturbed the
blue waters of the Solent, upon the bosom of which
rode graceiully and at ease the mightiest fleet per-
haps the world has seen. Both the railway com-
panies had been prepared for a rash of traffic, and in
this they were not disappointed. In the early hours
of the morning both the South-Western and the
London and Brighton Companies found it necessary
to commence the despatch of trains. The stations of
departure presented, from an early hour, a scene of
great activity, people beginning to arrive from all
parts of London shortly after six o'clock, and a few
even before; and, as is always the case where any
spectacle of a naval character is concerned, the
influx of passengers comprised a very large proportion
of ladies, many of whom had skilfully managed to
impart a Royal Navy blue tint into the graceful light
summer costumes which they wore.
At Waterloo, the Southern Station, that ordinarily
working to Epsom, Leatherhead, Hampton Court,
and Kingston, was on Saturday morning given up
entirely to the special train service to Southampton,
and from there the first train, a well-freighted one,
was despatched at 5.50. Very soon after the first of
the lo g list of Admiralty special trains left the
station for Southampton, and passengers, as they
started, could see from the carriage windows proof of
the heavy task anticipated by the directors of the
line in the long trains of carriages, mostly first-class,
and saloon, which had been borrowed from other
systems, and were waiting between Waterloo and
'Vauxhall for their turn to draw up at the platform
and bear away portions of the stream of people which
momentarily flowed in, and appeared to be despatched
in regular order and without any fuss or confusion.
The system of allotting one Admiralty train, or
more if necessary, to each particular troopship
which was manned on Saturday with spectators,
evidently worked admirably. The Portsmouth
departures were made from the main line
station, whence the train for Stokes Bay left at the
same time as the first Southampton train, and the
first for Portsmouth Harbour at 6.30; Besides the
privileged visitors by the Admiralty trains and those
chartered by the Union and other great steamship
companies it was evident that a very large number of
people were going down to take what chance they could
find of seeing the great review by sea or land, and the
resources of the company and the administrating talent
of the management staff were largely taxed to make
things go in a regular manner. From Victoria
Station the first of the nine Admiralty specials for
Portsmouth left shortly after seven o'clock, and after-
wards these and other trains well intermingled went
off with frequent recurrence. About nine o'clock a
party 111 Orientals attracted a good deal of attention.
A good many foreigners travelled by this train, and
dusky faces from Eastern climes, and even Japanese
ladies, in half or complete European costumes,
were not wanting to complete the medley
of all nations. A few distinctly House of
Lords and House of Commons faces were quickly
detected, though the specials for the Legislature did
not start till 10.30 and 10.50. At 10 o'clock the flow
of passengers for the review was still strong at both
the Waterloo and Victoria stations, the last of the
Admiralty trains leaving the former station at 10.30.
From an early hour on Saturday the narrow streak
that separates the Hampshire coast and the Isle of
Wight presented a scene of extraordinary animation.
Irrespective of the stated men-of-war, the narrow
channel was crowded with steam launches and yachts.
Large numbers availed themselves of the early steam-
boat excursions for the purpose of getting a close view
of the diversified types of naval architecture which
were to be found in the grand lines extending from off
Southsea Castle into Stokes Bay. Nearest to Ports-
mouth were the six training brigs, the gunboats, and
the torpedo craft, some of which possess the phe-
nomenal speed of close upon 20 knots an hour.
Compared with the ironclads which lay between
them and the island they appeared puny and in-
significant, but they were heavily armed, the tor-
pedo boats having, in addition to their dreaded
weapons of offence, quick-firing guns. The torpedo
boats, like the rest of the fleet, did not move from
their respective anchorage till Monday, after the
review proceedings were all over, when the squadron
put to sea to take part in the elaborate series of
manoeuvres incidental to defence and attack which are
now being carried out around the British coasts
under the direction of Admiral Sir William Hewett,
V.C., K.C.8., Commander-in-Chief of the Channel
Squadron, whose flag is flying on the Minotaur, which
was on Saturday lying at the eastern end of one line,
having opposite her the other five-masted ironclad,
carrying the flag of Rear-Admiral the Hon. E. R.
Fremantle, second in command of the squadron.
Squadron A, which was under the command of Sir
William Hewett, V.C., K.C.8., comprised the Agin-
court, Black Prince, Iron Duke, Collingwood,
Inflexible (which flies the flag of Admiral Sir George
Willes, K.C.8., Commander-in-Chief at Portsmouth,
who was in supreme command), Archer, Rattlesnake,
Minotaur, Imporieuse, Conqueror, Sultan, Monarch,
Mercury, and Curlew. In the B Squadron, which was
under the command of Vice-Admiral Baird, Superin-
tendent of Naval Reserves, were the Edinburgh,
Devastation, Ajax, NeAune, Shannon, Amphion,
Mohawk, Hercules, Hotspur, Invincible, Rupert,
Belleisle, Mersey, and Fearless. Commander Mark-
ham, of Arctic fame, was in command of the E
Squadron at the eastern end of the line, which con-
sisted of the Rover, Calypso, Arethusa, Active,
V olage, and Inconstant. There were five flotillas of
torpedoes and gunboats designated respectively D, E,
F, G, and If, in charge of Captains S. Long and J. E.
Pringle, Commanders V. A. Tisdall, and G. L. C.
Egerton, and Lieutenant (F. V. Isaac), off Brown-
down, were lying the German squadron of torpedo
boats under command of the Queen's grandson, Prince
Henry of Prussia, with some French vessels and the
Italian ironclads Vittoris, Pisani, and "Vittoria
Emmanuele, the latter having on board the cadets of
the Naval Academy. Many foreign naval officers were
among the spectators both afloat and on shore.
Larger fleets in point Of numbers have been inspected
by the Queen, but never before was there such a
formidable muster as that at Portsmouth. The A
Squadron represented a strength of 164 guns, 96,535
tons, and 6108 men; B Squadron 118 guns, 91,060
tons, and 4854 men; C Squadron 79 guns, 21,820
men.
The ships, which presented an imposing sight as
they lay at anchor in stately lines, extending over
many miles, were comprised as follows: A Squadron
(Post Division).—Agincourt, 17 guns 6870 horse-
power, 10,690 tons, complement 710 men; Black
Prince, 28 guns, 5770 horse-power, 9210 tons, com-
plement 697 men; Collingwood, 10 guns, 9570 horse-
power, 9150 tons, complement 459 men; Iron Duke,
14 guns, 3520 horse-power, 6010 tons, complement
482 men; Inflexible, 10 guns, 8010 horse-power,
11,880 tons, complement 460 men; Archer, 6 guns,
3500 horse-power, 1630 tons, complement 156 men;
Rattlesnake, 1 gun, 2700 horse-power, 450 tons, 61
men. Starboard Division Minotaur, 19 guns,
6700 horse - power, 10,690 itons, complement
711 men; ImpOrieuse, 10 guns, 10,000 horse-
power, 8500 tons, complement 514 men ;
Conqueror, 6 guns, 6000 horse-power, 6000 tons,
complement 293 men; Sultan, 19 guns, 7720
horse-power, 9290 tons, complement 532 men ;
Monarch, 7 guns, 7840 horse-power, 8320 tons, com-
plement 560 men; Mercury, 13 guns; 7290 horse-
power, 3730 tons, complement 276 men; and Curlew,
4 guns, 1500 horse-poiver, 785 tons, and complement
97 men. B Squadron (Port Division)—Edinburgh,
9 guns, 7500 horse-power, 9150 tons' complement
445 men; Devastation, 4 guns, 6650 horse-power,
9330 tons, complement 357 men; Ajax, 6 guns, 6440
horse-power, 510 tons, complement 382 men; Nep-
tune, 6 guns, 8000 horse-power, 9310 tons, comple-
ment 538 men; Shannon, 9 suns, 3370 horse-power,
5390 tons, complement 454 men; Amphion' 10 guns,
5550 horse-power, 3750 tons, complement 281 men;
Mohawk, 6 guns, 3500 horse-power, 1630 tons,
complement 156 men. Starboard Division
Hercules, 20 guns, 6750 horse-power, 8680
tons, complement 630 men; Hotspur, 4 guns,. 3060
orse-power, 4010 tons, complement 224 men; In-
vincible, 16 guns, 4830 horse-power, 6010 tons, com-
plement 479 men; Rupert, 4 guns, 4630 horse-power,
5440 tons, complement 237 men; Belleisle, 6 guns,
3200 horse-power, 4870 tons, complement 231 men;
Mersey, 12 guns, 6000 horse-power, 3550 tons, com-
plement 300 men; Fearless, 4 guns, 3200 horse-
power, 1430 tone, complement 140 men. C. Squadron
(Port Division)—Rover, 14 guns, 4960 horse-power,
3460 tons, complement 373 men; Calypso, 16 guns,
3720 horse-power, 2770 tons, complement 312 men;
Arethusa, 10 guns, 5500 horse-power, 3750 tons, com-
plement 281 men; Starboard Division Active,
12 guns, 4130 horse-power, 3080 tons, complement
374 men; Volage, 12 guns,4s3o horse-power, 3080
tons, complement 338 men; Inconstant, 16 guns,
5780 tons, complement 618 men. D Flotilla
(Port Division) Prince Albert, 4 guns, 2130
horse-power, 3880 tons, complement 200 men;
Medway, 3 guns, 310 horse-power, 363 tons, comple-
ment 50 men; Badger, 1 gun, 250 horse-power,
254 tons, complement 41 men; Bonetta, 1 gun, 250
horse-power, 254 tons, complement 31 men ; Bustard,
1 gun, 0190 horse-power, 254 tons, complement 31
men; Hyssna, 1 gun, 210 horse-power, 254 tons, com-
plement 31 men; Kite, 3 guns, 190 horse power,
254 tons, complement 31 men; Pickle, 1 gun, 270
horse-Dower, 254 tons, complement 31 men; Staunch,
1 gun, 130 horse-power, 180 tons, complement 31
men. Starboard Division—Glatton, 2 guns, 2870
horse-power, 4910 tons, complement 191 men;
Medina, 3 guns, 310 horse-power, 363 tone, comple-
ment 50 men; Arrow, 1 gun 260 horse-power, 254
tons, complement 31 men; Blazer, '
2 guns, 270 horse-
power, 234 tons, complement 31 men; Bouncer, 1
gun, 230 horse-power, 265 tons, complement 31 men;
Cuckoo, 1 gun,lBo horse-power, 354 tons, complement
31 men; Insolent, 1 gun, 230 horse-pis ff er, 265 tons, com-
plement 31 men; Mastiff, 2 guns, 240 horde-power, 254
tons, complement 31 men; Pike, 1 gun, 240 horse-
power, 254 toss, complement 31 men. The D, E, F,
GI, and II Flotillas consisted entirely of gun boats
and torpedo vessels.
Business in the fleet commenced at daybreak. All
the ships had been got in position over night, but the,
finishing touches of paint. mop, and broom had to be
given on Saturday to make appearances what they

should be at a review, and especially a Jubilee Re-
view. The officers and men who had had leave were
on board betimes, and at eight o'clock all was ready
for the Commander-in-Chief's signal to "dress ship."
The next order from the Admiral was as to the dress
of the crews, and in view of the brilliancy of the
weather, Sir George Wiles decided on white frocks
and trousers, blue jackets and white hats. The
officers were attired in cocked hats, full-dress uniform
coats and white trousers. The scene in Portsmouth
Dockyard during the whole of the morning was one
of unwonted bustle and excitement. Train after
train on the two lines of railway which connect the
chief naval arsenal of the country with the metropolis
brought thousands of privileged guests, among whom
there was a large proportion of Indian, Chinese, and
Japanese gentlemen, who, with their varied
costumes, formed in themselves no mean centre of at-
traction. By 12.30, the Indian troopships and other
smaller craft provided for sightseers went adrift, and
made for Spithead, 'whither Sir G. 0. Willes, who
was in supreme command of the fleet, but preceded
them, transferring his flag from the old three-decked
Duke of Wellington to the heaviest-armed and thickest-
plated vessel in the squadron, the Inflexible. The
representatives of the press were mostly on the troop-
ship Assistance, and in her they reached Spithead
just in time to witness a very pretty sight. The
Prince and Princess of Wales and their family had
arrived at Portsmouth overnight, and slept on board
his Royal Highness's yacht the Osborne. The order
had been given that when the heir-apparent crossed
the Solent to join his illustrious mother the ships
ware to man yards, and it was at the moment at the
arrival of the Assistance at Spithead that a gun from
the Inflexible intimated that the Osborne was in
such proximity that the mark of respect customary on
such occasions was to be paid. The sight of hundreds
of men scrambling up the rigging and then standing
on the yards was greatly appreciated. Passengers in
the Assistance were then favoured with what might be
termed a private view of the fleet, Captain Bickford
taking his ship right through the line, and steaming
at such a low rate of speed that a good look could be
had at all the vessels. By the irony of fate the Ajax
and Devastation were adjoining each other, though
neither of the craft evinced any outward signs of the
violent collision that recently occurred between them.
As instructions had been given for the Assistance to
follow the Royal procession through the fleet, after
perambulating the course anclaor was dropped in the
neighbourhood of East Cowes to await the appearance
of her Majesty. At three o'clock precisely the Galatea,
Trinity yacht, was seen under weigh, and in a few
moments, the Royal Yacht Alberta, with the Admiralty
flag at the foretop, the Royal Standard at the main, and
the Union Jack at mizzen, steamed rapidly out of
Cowes harbour towards the Victoria and Albert,
which had been lying off Osborne House. After her
came the Galatea, and next the Osborne, with the
white ensign at the fore and mizen, while the Prince
of Wales standard and that of the King of the Hel-
lenes were floating together from the main, showing
that the latter was on board. The Alberta ran down
alongside the Victoria and Albert, upon which her
Majesty, accompanied by her suite, passed from the
smaller to the larger vessel by means of a gang.
board. The procession then started. The Galatea. as
representing the Trinity House, led the way, followed
by the Victoria and Albert, which now had the flags
originally flying in the Alberta transferred to her.
Next came the Osborne, the Alberta, the Enchantress,
with the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty on
I board; the Helicon, which had among her passengers
the am bassadors and representatives of foreign Powers;
the Euphrates,containing the members of the Cabinet
and members of the House of Lords; the Crocodile,
with the members of the House of Commons; the
Malabar, with the Indian Princes and other notabili-
ties ; and, finally, the Assistance. Immediately
after the start was made a Royal salute of 21 guns
was fired, led off by the Admiral's ship, the In-
flexible. Considering the number of guns discharged,
the reports in the neighbourhood and on shore mast
have been deafening; but nothing was heard of the
! salute from the Royal yacht or the vessels following
' in her wake, as the wind was blowing from the south-
ward, and thus carried the sound away. The route
taken was to pass the Port Division of A, B, and 0
Squadrons on the starboard hand, having the torpedo
flotilla, and the gunboats on the port hand, in which
locality also were to be found three foreign men-
of-war—a German and a French frigate and a Dutch
corvette—all of which were gaily bedecked with
bunting. As the Victoria and Albert passed slowly
by, her Majesty could be distinctly seen seated in the
after-pavilion, the windows of which were down to
their utmost extent. Each ship which had yards
manned them, while in the case of turret and barbette
vessels the crews stood on the turrets, while sailors
also manned the military tops. The masthead
flags were dipped as the Victoria and Albert pro-
ceeded past. In this way the whole length of the line
was traversed, and when the end of the Port Division
of A Squadron was reached the vessels in line went
about and turned back towards Cowes, steaming down
between the two lines into which the A, B, and C
Squadrons were formed. In this manner the Queen,
had she cared so to do, might have informed herself
of the improvements in shipbuilding during the past
quarter of a century. One of the earliest, and conse-
quently one of the weakest, of the broadside ironclads,
having only 4 inches of armour—the Black Prince—
was in the port division. Among the number, too,
was the turret ship Inflexible with 24 inches of
armoury and her four 80-ton guns, the most power-
ful vessel of the fleet. There were also arrayed
before her Majesty steel cruisers, torpedo catchers,
and armour barbette ships, frigates cased with wood,
and composite ships of a smaller type. That the ruler
of the Empire was impressed with the grandeur of
this mighty sight no one can doubt.
When going down between the two lines the
Victoria and Albert made a signal for the ships fol-
lowing her to anchor, and at once proceeded to carry
out that instruction herself. The other yachts and
I vessels having obeyed orders, a second signal went up
from the Royal yacht to all the ships in thesquadron
"Flag officers and captains repair on board. All was
bustle to obey this important command, and soon
pinnaces were proceeding at a rapid rate towards the
Victoria and Albert, as it was evident that the order
emanated from her Majesty herself. When all were
assembled her Majesty appeared on the quarter-deck,
escorted by the Prince of Wales in his new uniform
of Admiral of the Fleet, and attended by all the
other members of the Royal Family. Sir G. 0.
Willes, Sir William Hewett, Vice-Admiral Baird,
i Rear-Admiral Fremantle, and Commodore Fitzroy
and Markham then presented to the Queen the whole
of the officers commanding ships in the various
Divisions of which they had charge. The Prince
of Wales then presented the captains of the
foreign men-of-war, who by arrangement previously
entered into, also repaired on board the Victoria and
Albeit with the English admirals and captains. At
the close of the formalities of presentation the Queen
convey ed to Sir George Willes her high appreciation
of the way in which he had drawn up the programme
for the review, and the pleasure she had experienced
in passing through lines of such splendid vessels. It
was now seven o'clock, and a third signal was hoisted
on board the Royal yacht to prepare to weigh and fol-
low the Queen to the end of the line, but before this
order was carried out it was deemed advisable to dis-
embark all visitors, as it would be getting dark before
the day's proceedings were concluded. Tugs having
taken off the passengers, the procession, still headed
by the Galatea, concluded the ruu through the line,
after which her Majesty returned to Osborne, having
been afloat over five hours. Her Majesty landed
under a sccond salute of 21 guns.