The Portland daily press., 1870-01-28
The Peabody Ceremonies.
Review of the Fleet by Admiral
Farragut.

Review of the Fleet by Admiral
Farragut.
Not since the visit of the Royal fleet that
conveyed Prince Albert from the hospitable
shores of America to his native Albion has
grander sight been witnessed in our harbor
than the reviewer more properly speaking
the visit of Admiral Farragut to the fleet now
at anchor in our harbor. Precisely at quarter
past ten yesterday morning the Admirars flag
"broke stops on the Unite States steamer
Leydeu-Master Randall commanding-which
was lying at the landing place off Atlantic
wharf, the wharf being crowded with people
anxious to witness the embarkation of the Ad
mirals party. Their patient waiting on the
pier with their feet in the water, which had &C
cumulated in pools from the melting of the
snow, was at length rewarded, for at eleven
o'clock the carriages drove down from the Fall
mouth Hotel into the large shed belonging to
the g. T. railway company, and the ladies and
gentlemen accompanying the Admiral imme-
diately proceeded on board The order was
then given to cast off, and at quarter past
eleven the Leyden steamed out into the
stream.
The day was magnificent one for the occa-
sion, the sun shining brightly, the water, for
the greater part of the way, as calm and placid
as lake, the air mild and even warm, while
the harbor was alive with crafts of every de-
scription, from the different tugs black with
the masses of living humanity that chung to
them to the yachts, sailboats, and small boats
that were moving in every direction filled with
ladies as we'll as gentlemen.
The following ladies and gentlemen compos
ed the Admiral's party upon the OCCASION
Admiral and Mrs. Farragut, Rear Admiral
Thatcher, Commodore Almy, Capt. Fairfax
Capt. Harmony, 1t. Com. Pearson, Major
Montgomery, and Ensign Frailey of the Ad-
miral's staff; Governor, Mrs. and Miss Cham
berlain, Adjutant General and Mrs. Murray,
General and NJ RS. John Marshall Brown, Gen
eral and Mrs. Seden Conner, Gen. and Mrs.
7. w. Hyde, and General Varney of the Gov
nor's Staff; His Honor the Mayor and Mrs.
Putnam; Mr.. and Mrs. George Peabody Rus
sell and Miss Campbell; Messrs. Arthur j.,
Geo. W. and G. B. Peabody; Hon. Robert G
Winthrop, Hon. j. II. Clifford, and Rev. DR.
Barnes Sears committee of the Trustees of the
Peabody Educational Fund; Hon. j. W. Por-
ter and wife, Hon. e. X. Spear and wife, Hon.
A. Il. Abbott and wife, Hon. w. Rogers and
wife, Hon. u. o. Bracket an l wife, and Hon.
William Deering and wife of the Executive
Council; Hon. w. G. Endicott of the Peabody
Academy of Science; Gen. and Mrs. Thorn, U.
8. Engineer; Hon. j. B. Brown and wife;
Hon. Nathan Webb and wife; Miss Baker of
Augusta; Mrs. F. NJ Drew of Augusta, Com
modore Hull of the Lighthouse Board; Hon.
J. w. Bradbury and wife ofAugusta; Col. and
Mrs. L. d. NJ. Sweat; Mrs. James o. Brown;
Hon. Henry X. Oliver and Miss Oliver of
Salem; Mr.. and Mrs. H. H. Kurdish; Mrs.
Peck of New York; Hon. Mr.. Randall former
ly of the Executive Council, and few others.
As the Legion neared the Monarch the
sound of the bugle was heard and immediate
ly the rigging OF both the Monarch and Ply
mouth became instinct with life as the sail
ors swarmed on the shrouds like so many bees
preparatory to manning the yards. Notwith-
standing the fascination of the spectacle as
the men stood at arms length at that fearful
height it was the fascination with which one
gazes on the wonderful feats of the gymnast
upon the trapeze, shuddering lest man may
fall and be suddenly hurried into eternity, for
only a life line we are told stands between
them and terrible death.
At quarter past II the Admiral and party
assembled the Monarch's side, and as they
went over the gangway the scene was strik-
ing one. Just aft of amdships the war artil-
lery and marines of the vessel were drawn up
at open ranks with arms at present, the
ships band played the National Air, and the
~ .1l
ranged in line on the starboard side of the
quarter deck, while the Admiral and visitors
were received by Captain Commerell and i'm
mediately proceeded to the captains saloon.
Each one was considered at liberty to look
around and investigate to their hearts content
The Mortuary Chapel was of course first visit
ed, and as the party stepped within its hallowet
precincts the gay smile died upon the lips, the
merry laugh was hushed, the head of the most
thoughtless bowed in reverence, for all felt
that they were in the presence of the last NOR
tai remains of one who was greater than kine
or kaiser, who had bestowed his great wealth
judiciously for the comfort and the enlighten-
ment of tho laboring poor, and in regard tt
whom now the two greatest nations on thu
globe were striving to see which could otfe
"N]S-
had been placed upon the casket when thu
ship left England were replaced, the bier wa
strewn with rare flowers fresh from the con
servatory, while at the head and foot of thu
bier stood alternately marine and seaman
leaning in prayerfnl attitude upon their arms
reversed.
Having viewed the chapel, the Admiral wit
number of the party accompanied Captain
Commerell to the turrets to witness their con
struction, the apparatus for moving the guns
and the manner in which they are worked, al
Of which seemed to interest him immensely
After thorough inspection of the vessel the
Inequalities of the ship were rendered by the
officers in true old English style, after which
the party returned to the Leyden and steamed
to the Plymouth. Here they were received BY
Capt McComb in the hearty American fash
ion, the same formalities being observed upon
going aboard as in the. case of the Monarch
Impressed as we were by the magnifcence o
the Monarch, probably the finest representa-
tive man of. war afoat pleased as we were b.
the kindness and attention of the officers, thai
which nothing more co1ld be asked or desired
yet, as an American, we must confess that a
our foot touched the gangway of the Ply
mouth as we looked round upon those fea
lures of officers and men whose natfonalit
could not be mistaken, and as we gazed up
ward at the dear flag whose folds futtere'
gently in the light breeze, we felt that small a
sne might be and inferior in many ways to he
consort' still she was our countrys, and wher
we were in her we were at home
Owing to the !ateness of the bour only a f.,
moments were passed on the Plymouth, an
after partaking of the Inequalities of the sbi,
rendered in cordial, off hand, American f,sb
ion, once more the party re-embarked steame
down between the Miantonomah and Terro
whose officers stood on the quarter deck viii
the men we're gathered forward, all salutine E
we passed around the Miantonomah, up pa
the Plymouth and Monarch again, and then
to the city, arriving at the wharf at about
o'clock in the afternoon.
The excursion was most delightful OF
and the scene on board the Monarch and P
mouth when the visitors were received is O
that will linger in the memory of all who We
present.
By our marine report it will be noticed Il
the steam propeller Ceptipede has arrived h
from Philadelphia. This is the second II
vessel built in this country for the sole
only purpose of carrying coal, and this bel