Los Angeles herald., 1891-05-03
A UNIQUE SHOW.
The English Naval Exhibi-
tion Opened.
A Wonderful Collection of Mar
itime Curios.
Models of the Ships of All Ages and
Countries.
An Exact Reproduction of Nelson's Old
Flagship-other Interesting His
torical Relics.
Associated Press Dispatches.

LONDON, May 2.-The naval exhibi-
ton on Chelsea embankment was
opened today with great ceremony, the
prince of Wales presiding at the opening
ceremonies. He wore the uniform OF
an admiral of the British navy. The
entire passageway, an eighth of mile
long, leading to the spot from which
the prince of Wales declared the exhibi-
tion open, was lined by celebrated naval
and military officers, to the rear of
whom strong force of blue jackets and
marines presented arms as the royal
party passed. The prince and princess
OF Wales were conducted to dais, after
which the archbishop of Canterbury
came forward and uttered prayer
for the success of the exhibition, the
prosperity and peace of the country and
the health of the royal family. The
prince of Wales then replied to
the address of the officers of the ex-
hibition, after which the princess of
Wales turned tiny switch in front of
miniature model of Eddystone light
house. There was flash from the top
of the lighthouse, cannon shot from
one of the model men-of-war in the
grounds, bands played God Save the
Queen, and the exhibition was formally
declared open. 1t covers an area OF
over fifteen acres.
The model of Eddystone lighthouse is
lighted by electricity to the extent OF
half million candle-power. The model
is built OF a framework of iron, covered
with American expanded wire, over
which cement is laid. The tower part
is used for an exhibit OF lighthouse and
signalling apparatus, while the top,
reached by elevators, affords a good
observatory.
One of the most interesting features
of the exhibition is full-sized model of
Nelson's famous flagship Victory, fur
nished throughout with guns and ac-
coutrements OF Nelson's day. On the
lake it is proposed to give each day a
mimic naval battle between min
iature ironclad men of-war, including
torpedo attacks, submarine mines, fire.
works, etc. In the arena sailors will
give exhibition drills, and the handling
of naval machine guns will be shown.
The main exhibition building is di-
vided into nine galleries, each named
alter some celebrated sailor.
There are interesting collections of old
naval relics and relics of various Arctic
exhibitions, and the art section contains
the finest collection of naval pictures ever
brought together. There are hundreds
of models of old and new warships, and
innumerable charts OF ancient and mod
ern ships are hung on the walls of the
galleries. Varieties of ordnance and am
munition of all kinds are exhibited.
Among the naval curiosities which
may be seen in the exhibition, are Cap
tain Cooks waist-coat; washstand
used by Nelson at sea- the figure head
of the Shannon. carried on that ship
during the memorable encounter with
the Chesapeake; the Duke OF Edin-
burgh 8 curious collection of silver ships !;
portion of the main mast of the Vic
tory, pierced by shot at the battle OF
Trafalgar, and many other relics.
One gallery is devoted to trade exhib-
its and exhibits from different naval
charities. Then there is another devoted
to models OF vessels, from the time Of
the Great Harry down, with illustrations
of boat-lowering and life-saving appar-
atus now in use; another is devoted to
ancient and modern ordnance, including
the very latest quick-fring guns. The
Camperdown gallery contains chiefly
dynamos and air-compressing machines
for working torpedoes, and an immense
glass diving tank, and a large collection
of iron and steel armor plates.
The profits of the exhibition will be
given to various naval charities.