New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-08-20
THE FRENCH FLEETS VISIT.
RECEIVED OFF COwES WITH IMPOSING
NAVAL HONORS.
THE NEIGHBoRING TOWNS DECORATED AND THE
PEOPLE MAKE HoLrDAY-vIsITs OF
CEREMONY TO BE PAID

Portsmouth, Aug l0.-The long expected visit OF
the French feet TO this port has begun. The
vessels of France were signalled at as to-day.
They were seaming slowly toward the solent, the
Msrceau leading the fleet; then came the Marengo,
Furieux, Requn, SurcOuf, Lance, and two torpedo
boats. The latter were almost cngulfed in the rough
Channel The admiralty boats boarded the Mar
Off Ventnor. and guided the French feet up the
roads, which were lined with British vessels
profusely decorated with bunting and presenting
splendid spectacle. The roads, Solent and all the
other Isle OF Wight waters were crowded with yachts
and excursion steamers, while tens Of thousands
of people lined the neighborng shores. The
weather was superb the sun shining brightly,
warmly and there fine breeze, which gradually
increased into half gale OF wind, causing a choppy
sea. Portsmouth, Gosp0r Newport, Ryde Cowes,
Ventnor Yarmouth and other places plentfuly and
brightly decorated with flags in which the French flag
and colorS largely represented. Spithead, the
rOadsead between POrsea Island and the Isle of Wight
the great rendezvous Of the British Navy, was from
early morning patrolled by guard-boats whose duty
il to keep the way clear between and about the
British warships there at anchor.
At 80 p. m. the French Ambassador. NJ. Waddlng-
ton, on board the Elan, accompanied by the steam
yachts Sea-Gun and sca-Horsc, started out TO meet
and formally TO receive the French fleet The
French Ambassador was warmly cheered. As the
visiting feet passed spthead the French ships
saIuted the flag of the British Admiral which salute
was promptly returned by the 1agship the Duke of
Wellington, and by garrison battery OF artillery.
The vessels of both fleets dipped their ensis the
French vessels made their way toward Cowes. When
they arrived off Cowes they saluted the royal standard
Of Great Britain which flying from the tower of
Osborne Palace. The guard ship in southampton
water H. VI. 5. Invlncibc, sixteen guns 5000 tons,
responded with salute 10 the French flag.
When the French feet was hove to in Osborne Bay.
amid the booming of saung cannon from both French
and English vessels, the of both fleets manned
the yards and cheer upon cheer arose from the i'm
mense feet of yachts and excursion steamers which
had gathered around about the Portsmouth waters.
The flagship Camperdown had her band upon the
quarterback, and it played the "Marselaise." The
Marengo flagship of the French feet, replied to this
compliment with "God Save the Queen" The Elan,
having the French Ambassador on board, accompanied
the Marengo TO her anchorage.
The programme determined upon for tomorrow,
though subject to alteration, is follows The French
Admiral and his staff will land and pay the customary
visits 10 the Commander-in- Chief the Earl Of Clan
william. to the Duke Of ConnauGht in command of the
Portsmouth garrison and to Sir William PINK, the
Mayor of Portsmouth. These visits Will be returned
the same day by the English Admrals the Duke Of
Connaught and the captains Of British warships To
morrow night still according to present arrangements.
Admiral Gervas and his principal officers Will dine
with the Queen at Osborne.
1t is expected that the Queen will inspect the French
feet on Friday morning. embarking for that purpose
on board the Royal yacht Victoria and Albert After
the Queens inspection the French fleet will go to
pithead where the place oi honor has been reserved
for the visiting ships.
The First Lord of the Admiralty Lord George Hamil
ton, has placed the Admiralty yacht Enchantess at
the disposal OF the French Admiral and IL is expected
ha Admiral Gervais will live board of her during
his stay at Portsmouth. The Earl OF CianWllllam
will give banquet on Friday night to the French
Admiral and his principal officers at Admiralty House:
The Duke of Connauglt and the Lord Lieutenant Oh
NCrtll wi
his banquet the French guests Will attend the Mayors
ball at the Town Hail.