The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-03-31
GOSSIP FROM THE RIVIERA
The American Mediterranean Squad
ron at Villefranche.
A DANCE ON DECK.
A Nice" Essay on the
Trenton.
ON STARS AND STRIPES.
A DANCE ON DECK.
ON STARS AND STRIPES.
NICE, March IA. 1870,

NICE, March IA. 1879.
One of the very prettiest pictures along the route
between Nice and Monaco route which In only
twelve miles and unfods to the travellers eye ever
shifting panorama of mountain shore and un.
rivaled in Europe-is that obtained when the train
emerging from the long and just rather danger
tunnel of Mont Boron. comes to a sudden stop Mt
the station of vllefranche. the head of the Gulf
There, between the long promontories which enclose
the deep, blue waters of the harbor the Stars and
Stripes at the peak of each ship. lies the American
fleet, the flagship close in shore, not hun
dred yards from the quaint houses and
ramparts OF the old town. SO deep and
so safe is the anchorage of this matchless harbor
that the largest ironcsds lie here in perfect
curity. villefranche and the Collie Jouan. near
Cannes, favorite quarters of the French fleet,
but just vllefranche is left to the Americans.
In the place of honor. nearest to the Shore lies the
Trenton, flagship. first cruise, and probably
the finest ship in the services further out are the
Quinnebaug, just from home; the Alliance. newly
arrived from Smyrna, where she has been lying for
four months. ana. lastly, the Richmond, which
dropped anchor last week to Chinese waters
where she will be the flagship. The rest Of the
American fleet in the Mediterranean consists of the
wyoming. at Smyrna. and the Enterprise. on the
coast OF Span-in all six ships flying the Stars
and Stripes.
NICOlS OPINION ON THE STARS AND STRIPES.
One of the iveliest Of the Nice journals moved at
the sight of the Star-Spangled Banner the waters
of the Riviera, exclaims "Splendd and free flag! In
of its angles the original English escutcheon
quartered in red and white (D; for the rest-the
blue heaven studded with stars. l understand how
American citizens proud OF these noble colors.
What more free than the heavens, wherein birds
soar? where the eternal federation of stars is born
lives and Dies Then he goes on to say OF the Tren-
ton:-'This free child of the forests Of Pennsylva
mia proudly carries the waves the name
Of Trenton. 1t is the name of town
and the name of a battle. The volunteers
of Independence won there decisive victory over
the red coats And to-day the young frigae (she was
only launched about two years and half ago) carries
across the that glorious souvenir. She has
crossed the ocean. the channel at Cherbourg
passed the Straits of Gibraltar explored the Mediter
ranean visited the waters of the Levant and cast
anchor at Smyrna. For some weeks she has rested
at viliefranche. which is the headquarters OF the
American squadron in Europe
THE WAR SHIPS.
Then comes little philosophy on that insoluble
enigma to q Frcnchmnn. the sex Of a vessel
belonging to an English speaking fare you
a sailor ?" he says. 'if yes. you will understand
tho profound love Of every man OF the
for that mysterious construction called ship For
it is almost living being; frame Of wood lungs
of iron, breathing steam and nourishcd by ire sails
spread to the breeze like winss One might think
it of those chimerlcal dragons created by fable
tn accomplish supcrhuinan task. What is the
OF ship? Strange question. is it not? The English
ship is feminine. she is pleasant young Ameri-
officer will say. when speaking Of the Trenton.
plain that Is it a man or is it . woman
in their imagination. this vessel destined
is not an Object living be hase en
dowed with personality and having her birth. life
and death recorded in the stars! The Trenton is
admirably organized for travel aud for BATTLE Three
engines and eight boilers ensconccd in her depths.
Total power 1000 horses Is the anchor to be ras,ds
steam engine rolls up the enormous chain cable.
The anchor up and tho engine in motion. the pro-
peler turns and drives the strong frigac over the
waves. black hued slender. her three mssts soping
slightly backward Thus she battles with seq
and wind aud: when r,u the ten tempest raises
% 81 water ar ar01 and hsr ec she has
the sea gentle and the wind favorabes The steam is
stopped the enormous shaft which impels the yes.
boys climbing the yards and cordage. the sails OF
the Trenton spread and swell in the wind. And.
always elegant always majestic, eho advances at the
rate Of fourteen miles an hour.
THE AsrATIc FLAG.
The msn.of-war has not fought. The first flag
mirsl. Il is a little flag Of blue silk triangular in
sSon. 'n reed sa % 'n INC aa t.
golden cock surrounded by stars. and in
flag has namc-it is called the Asiatic flag For
many years it sojourned in the seas of China and
ID ,nS n w Ensh ,S or
Tho last holder of this glorious trophy the
American frigste Tennessee, and she brought it to
V1efranchc harbor, where in turn the Trenton also
came. The OF the two frigates contcnded for
the Asistic flag, and the Trenton won. She keeps
which there has been need to effacc The Trenton
has also just won in the regataat 81 Hospicc brill
liant success the crew of the vandalia in Y
ing match. which admirably contested.
THE rRESroS's DOGS OF WAR;.
'Shc will be a fine sight ono day in battle this
deadly frgate when the enormous guns Of the great
battery and the three on deck are served by the
crew grouped around theml very simple
mechanism permits them DO moved IN d circular
sweep. kind of steam bride, placed beneath each
cannon. prevents tho recoil that, the port open,
the charge home the pointer at his post, they
be man@uvred with admirable ease and precision;
and these monstrous dogs obedient children will
calmly spit forth death at low ranges Further every
thing Is ready for boarding Near each port sheas
OF swords with heavy hits, arranged. At intervals
in the main battery rifles are arranged in their racks
ugly she draw in her bowsprit to give play to
the spur which protrudes beneath the water. Thus,
bristling up and fierce, she resembles q lion with
name erect, claws unshcathed and roaring with all
his might. When the time comes for the Trenton to
wax wrath the winds and waves will see a fine sight
steamer, serve ~ auxiiarics TO tho Trenton. Field
pieces and mtrailcuses enable her to push troops
into the interior OF countries aud to wage war along
river banks upon the savage tribes Of Africa or
Oceanic: She has hardly begun her career; but she
| Is armed ut all points-and waitsl
THE CAPTAIN AND THE CREW.
For the moment the flagship rocks coqucttishly
in tho beautiful Gulf of villefranche quiet aud
| blue. II Sunday that you should see her. all
rugged and trickcd out, her brass and iron shining.
her panks well scrubbed everything in It's place.
The men, clcanly dressed, silent, we'll hammered,
neat. And all this life we'll ordered, harmonious.
| simple gives you n singuarly correct idea Of the
| power of the great American people. Tho men
about i've hundred In numbcr--sre energetic types
| Of the numerous races which have been merged ihto
| one race In the plains and mountains Of the New
| World. You may recognize there some
thing of the spaniard, of the Englishman.
| of tho Indian. The officers, polite, unas-
! Stunning and gentle. welcome visitors with
urbanity. The stsf of the European squadron
| rounds the Admiral. Here the names Of the
officers attached TO his personal STAFF captain John
Lee Davis. Lieutenant W. r. Burwell. Lieutenant II.
| q. D. Colby; Mdshipmai IL. .. Ray Adniral's clerk,
w. Dunstan. The officers Of the ship are Captain
| John Lee Davis, Lieutenant Commander Ludlow
| Nicoll. Lacutensnts A. H. VAIL Isaac Hazlett. u. y.
Wood, n. ID. Taussg, A. Mark, q. A. stone, J. A.
Rodgers; Ensigns. W. q. Cowlcs. H. Hutchins, W. q.
/ NM. A Dnx A Eocl,f