New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-01-27


the dipping of ensigns and firing of salutes being
reserved for later part Of the funeral ceremonies
But as the last of the feet crossed the Monarch's
stern, the minute guns began to echo across the
water, first from the Plymouth, and afterward from
the monitors, while at each discharge showers of
glittering icicles raned from the rigging
The monitors did not fire their turret guns
only the howitzers Meanwhile, the Monarch had
cleared her decks of ice, set her maintop-
gallant masts, squared her yards and replaced the
small American ensign at her foretopmast cross
trees by larger specimen of the Stars and Stripes
while the Red Cross of st. George, upon white
ground floated at her gaff The Plymouth, the gun
boats the smaller craft and the yachts and pleasure
boats, which now began to hurry out of the harbor
also displayed the American flag at half-mast, and
the one or two merchant vessels which passed u.s.
outward bound, made similar disposition of their
cOlors American or British as the case light be.
As soon as the line was formed the Cohasset came
alongside, with Capt. Almy, the senior officer for
the time of Admiral Farraguts staff and one of the
Junior Aids. A file of marines in scarlet and blue
fell in before the gangway, and Capt Commenel
received officers at the side and conducted them
to his cabin. The Admiral remained on shore.
Rear-Admiral Thatcher, who had been appointed his
Chief-of-Staif did not arrive in Portland till this
afternoon. Meanwhile, the Plymouth and Monarch
which were anchored and heading almost across the
channel, were slowly swaying around with the ebb
tide, and by 10 o'clock were at last in position
to steam into the harbor. At signal from the Ply
mouth the Monarch began to weigh her ponderous
anchor, and, though the machinery broke in the
operation, the capstans were instantly manned and
there was no perceptible delay As the screw began
to revove, Fort PTeble took up the firing of minute
guns, and continued until she reached her final an
chOrage. The walls Of the fort were crowded with
sight-seers The wharves of the city, we came in
view of them seemed black with human figures, and.
though much to my surprise, not more than ten
or twelve private tugs and sailing vessels and two
OF three row boats, followed and hoYered round the
fleet. Every one of that small number was heavily
laden with passengers. The Monarch kept the head
of the line, heaving the lead continually. The Man
tonomah and Terror, passing the Plymouth. came
next and the Leyden followed the Terror. The Ply
mouth then got under weigh and last of all came
the Mahoning, with a delegation from the City
Council, the select Committee from the Peabody In
stitute and various officials and committees of ar
engagements.
In one respect the storm Of yesterday helped us
this morning, for as rounded the point we found
that every vessel in the harbOr had spread its sails
to dry, and with flags flying in the midst of this
cloud of canvas, and the ce-aden trees of Portland
shining on the hillside behind them, tie sight so
beautiful that one could hardly repTess exclama-
ton of delight, and many of the officers of the
Monarch were enthusiastic in their comments. In
another respect, however, the storm played havoc
with the beautiful plans of the Admiral and the
Committees. This little procession of two miles
was too short to be impressive, and it did seem
rather absurdly ceremOnious after the Monarch had
already anchored in the harbOr, to make so much
parade about inviting her to anchor q little bit
nearer the dock.
should, perhaps best satisfy the expectations of
the public if said the ceremony grand, beautl-
full and imposing, but cannot say so. Beautiful IN
some of its features, the certainly was but 1t
was not grand, and it was not imposing to one who
reflected what burden the Monarch bore across the
ocean. Her stately figure, she moved with fune-
raj sowness up the channel past the gray walls of
Forts Preble and Scannell and Gorges, through the
clouds Of smoke which rolled from the mouths of the
guns and hung low over the water the spectacle was
solemn and impressive. 1t was far more impressive
however from the deck of the Monarch than 1t
could have been from the shore or from any OF the
other vessels As a naval display the reception was
not much better than failure, though the arrange
ments were as good and well carried out as circum-
stances would permit. We should have had more
vessels in port, and then it ought not to have
stormed. The weather / suppose, is not under the
control of the Navy Department, but the ships are
i
the two in port but one is understood to have bro
ken down. and the other had gone to sea before the
orders could reach her and the duty of welcoming
one of the most remarkable expeditions that has
crossed the Atlantic for generations has fallen TO two
small gunbOats and a tug.
The vessels kept their positions in the line with
reasonable exactncss as they moved slowly in, and at
half-past ten. close under the guns of Fort
George and about three-quarters of mile from the
Great Eastern wharves, the Monarch dropped her
anchor and the firing ceased. Without waiting for
the other vessels to to anchor, the little COhas
set steamed again alongside, the marines presented
arms the bugle sounded, the chief officers stood III
the gangway and Capt. COmmerell and Capt. Amy,
both in full uniform and chapeauX, went ashore.
It's not much TO the credit of Portland wharves that
the landing was not effected without considerable
difficulty, and the aid of Capt. Commercials gig. Mr.
Murray, the British Consul, received them at the
wharf being likewise in full uniform, and the party
then waited upon Admiral FaTagut at the hotel.
Immediately after coming ito anchor the Monarch
shook out her canvass and the United States vessels
steamed i'll between her and the shore. and IN the
line as finally formed, the MahOnng now lies near
est the land tie monitors next, Plymouth beyond
them, and the Monarch last of all.
The IeyleM came mp beyond the Bar, after first
boarding the Monarch, and permitting the Com
mittees from Peabody and Portland to conmunl-
cate with Mr.. George Peabody Russell for the pur-
pose OF completing the arrangements for the funeral
Captain Commerell having already gone ashore,
Mr.. Russell alterward consulted with him and the
Committees at the hotel. and a plan was agreed
upon Which / am afraid will not give general salts
faction, = ~ - u "a
Cant Conmercll was very anxious that the BODY
houd lie in static t,yo days aboard The ship not only