The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-04-18
BURNING BARRELS OF POWDER.
The Fleets at Fortress Monroe
Fire Salutes.

uon-The Admirals, Commodores and
Captains Exchange Compliments at
Long Range and Short Range.
FORTRESS MONROE, Va, April 17.-At
o'clock this morning Eve of England's
big war ships headed by the flagship
Blake, flying the pennant of one of her
vice admirals, came msjestically into
tho roads from Lynn Haven bay, whore
they had anchored over night, let go as
many bow anchors and fired the custo-
mary salute. They are as follows: The
Blako armored cruiser. 5000 tons;
Australia, armored cruiser, 5000 tons;
Magicienne. protected cruiser, 1850
tons; Tartar, partially protected cruiser,
Ito tons, and Partridge, partially pro-
tected cruiser, 755 tons. The Blake is
OF 10000 horse power, and much the
largest in this respect of any that will
take part in the manoeuvres, domestic
or foreign.
Before o'clock this morning Colonel
Frank, commandant of the army post,
was informed by Admiral Gherardi that
the British vessels were coming up from
the capes and that they would be along
in in an hour. This WAS notification TO
stand by to salute the visitors after
they had fired twenty. one guns In honor
OF the American colors, and the fort
was prompt in doing this. The fashion
able set were ruthlessly awakened by
this terrific bombardment and the
reverberation Of the mighy guns of the
Blake and the answers that came
quickly back from the post and the flag
ship Philadelphia.
Hardly had the dense ourls Of white
smoke disappeared from the muzzle of
the guns, whom tho Blake started in to
assure the French, Russian and Italian
flags OF her distinguished esteem and
consideration by saluting the command
ing officers of the four ve ssels with the
number Of guns duo their rank. During
these ceremonies the flags en- all the
ships were constantly changing from
one country to another, and to an on
locker IL was apparent that if there
ever existed any i'll feeling between
Russia, England and Fsancs, there were
little remnants Of 1t left.
ITO appearance OF these I've crack
ships OF the queens navy presented as
they moved majestlcally over the water
and past the outor end OF Our lset to the
ancncrAge grounds designated them by
Admiral Gherardi was one of the
grandest sights ever seen hero. At the
head of the fleet was the big armored
cruiser Blake, the counterpart of our
own ship New York, heavily armored
and the most formidable ship that will
be in the review. In her wake was the
protected cruiser Magicienne and behind
her came the monster armored cruiser
Australia with her sides fairly toothed
with tierce-looking high powered guns.
Gliding gracefully next was the cruiser
Tartar, and in the rear was the little
barkentine rugged cruiser Partridge.
In perfect line thew sailed in with
signals flying from their tops AMI yard
arms and the ensign of their country
floating deflantly from the taffrails OF
each ship. AT tho masthead OF
the Blake wa, the pennant of Vice.
Admiral j. o. Hopkins, X. G. b., com
mander-in- chief OF the fleet and upon
the signal halliards were combinations
OF yellow and white signals to the ships
behind her Sweeping by the feet the
Blake slowed down just as she passed
the Newark and when abreast of the
Philadelphia the signal was displayed
to the other ships to anchor.
AS quickly as the signal was seen
just as quickly were Ave bow anchors
seen to splash the water into foam and
the deep rumbling of the chain could be
heard as forty fathoms ran through the
hawse pipe. With flood tide all five
ships promptly swung around with their
noses pointed ont to the Roads and form
ing line extending q mile out. Firing
commenced and was kept up necessarily
for half an hour. At IL o'clock Admiral
Hopkins put on his cooked has, buckled
his sword and, embarking in his gig,
was pulled over to the Philadelphia,
where he saw Admiral Gherardi, heard
fifteen guns fred off in his honor snd
then departed to his own vessel to get
ready to receive our commander in chief,
who went through the same preparations
and had the same number Of guns dis
charged for his benefit
These courtesies having been ex-
changed, the noise was suspended for
an hour. Later in the day Admiral
Hopkins called on Colonel Frank, and
was received as became his rank.
Colonel Frank returned the call, and
the Blake was again called upon to
honor an official OF our country.
Tho weather continues perfect. The
sky is as clear as May day, and the
watel smooth for the roada lsarges,
steam launches and gigs were plying
constantly to the ships carrying those
anxious to see the new arrivals. As
every new ship arrives the attention OF
tho ladies changes temporarily to her
officers, and to-day it would seem that
the Britishers are to the front. The
Dutch frigate Van Speyk arrived late
this afternoon, and anchored in the
roads.
Lace curtains made ms good AZ NEW at
Roanoke Steam Laundry.
Mrs. May briok Tries TO KIN Herself.
Ill