The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-11-08
HEROES COMMUNICATED
Unwilling Of the Armada Monumen
on Plymouth Hoe by Duke
Edinburgh.
The Scene Was Brilliant and In
spring and His Grace
Was Gracious.
Description Of the Monument-The Most
Interesting Dockyard In the World
-vessels at Anchor.

Especial Correspondence of The INDEPENDENT.
LONDON, Oct. Is, 1S90.-Plymouth Hoo il
perhaps the most historical spot in Eng
land, and certainly the most appropriate
place in the world for national Armada
memorial, for it was to the old sailors play
ing bowls on the green grass Of the Ply
mouth heights that the news was first
brought Of the threatened Armada. For
many years Plymouth has been anxious to
immortalize the defeat Of the Spanish feet,
but it was not till last Wednesday, more
than three hundred years after tho trium-
phal event, that the memorial reached a
sufficient state Of completeness to warrant
an unwilling ceremony. The unwilling was
accomplished amidst great festivities and
rejoicing, by the duke Of Edinburgh, who
by his genial action on this occasion
has added something to his popularity,
which, it must be admitted, is
by no means excessive in England.
plymouth made the affair an opportunity
for grand spectacular show, q sort Of olo-
ritied lord mayors show, with the addi-
tional advantage of a fine sea covered with
picturesque briggs Of every description,
which were drawn close up to the shore and
made things lively by constant firing Of
salutes.
The scene from the Guildhall, where the
procession started, to the Hoe was q really
fine sight. and almost worth ans-atlantic
visit. The loyal citizens crowded the
streets, the entire naval strength of Devon
Jackets as any Admiral Drake could have
wished to command-the scarlet and gold
of the honorable artillery company, the
surpliced choirso spotlessiy white and pure
looking. the brilliant naval and military
costumes Of the officers surrounding the
Elizabethan hats, looking as IL they
had just stepped out of the
tower Of London made up brave show,
not unworthy Of the historic old city which
in days past sent out 30 many heroes to
fight tor the old country. When to this
moods, handsome Devonshire women with
their world-famed pink compilations and
rudy hair and the brightest of October
days, it will be understood that the for
tunate spectators Of this function had an
unusually good time.
Arrived at the Hoe, the cannon fred ana
Numbered amongst the hills, the bands
played the national anthem. the royal
standard was run up at mast, all light blue
and silver, and then to the tune Of John
Bulls own "Rule Britannia the memo
rial was unviled. E
The monument is not complete enough
for an unparalleled person to say VI ether
it is altogether handsome or not, Il has
been designed by Mr.. Gribble, the we'll
known architect of the Brornpton oratory
and ID certainly very bold and characteristic.
with her massive helmet, trident and Union
Jack shield. lion in n watchfut attitude
IS at her left side, and various martial
trophies surround the monument. Below
the main figure are medalllons of several
Elizabethan heroes and still lower down
n VIZ inns LA
tributed to the defense Of the nation dur
ing the Armada days. On the monument
Will also appear two inscriptions cut in
stone, viz: the Elizabethan motto, HE
blew With his Winds and they were scat
tered. !" and the historical signal Of Nelson.
England expects that every man will do
his duty, which will connect tho two chief
eTas in the naval annals of the country.
Hearty cheers and salvoes greeted the I'M
yelling and after the God bless our sailor
prince had been enthusiastically sung the
procession wendell it's way back to the
Guildhall to enjoy the hospitality of the
mayor.
Others with memories Of cd deeds Of
naval daring full upon them preferred to
wander around the interesting old city and
have glimpse of the noble mansion Of
Mount Edgcumbe. the seat of Lord Mount
Edgoumbe; at the Impregnable, the train,
ing ship for boys, and watch the lads go
through their admirably executed drill. and
above all at the dockyard, which, with its
shady trees, wooded slopes and historical
relics, is more interesting than any other
dockyard in the world. Here is the Dutch
anchor from Camperdown; there carefully
preserved the figure of the old Royal
George. close by the huge fragment of rock
which stuck in the bottom of old Gibraltar
man.of was Of eighty guns, when ashore of
the coast OF Spain. and dropped out of her.
to the surprise Of her captain and every one
else when she was docked at Davenport.
It had really caulked the huge hole the reef
had made in the ship, and fortunately on
the way home no firing Of her gun was nec-
essay or the concussion must have shaken
the rock out of the hole and sunk her inn
inediately in mid-ocean. More than one
man-of-war that has seen stirring times
lies at anchor in the Hamoaze. az part
OF the sound is called. There. ia
the old Foudroyant, which fought two
battles in tho Mediterranean in 1900 with
Nelson's rear admiral's flag fiyinc AZ the
mizzen ana with Nelson himself on board.
The old Impregnable, used till quite re-
Gently as training ship, is another sight,
having received her baptism of fire at All.
giere IN 1916. But the limits Of an article
forbid any mention Of the other .sIions'' in
Plymouth. The whole place is we'll worth
visit and our American friends who have
a couple OF days to spare should not fail 10
run down to the old town and visit thu
many spots of historical interest that ~
to be found all round.
Copyright.