The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-04-26

FORTRESS MONROE, Va, April d.
Columbus 400 years ago stood upon the
deck of the Santa Maria and saw new
continent Today the quartet of
centuries has been ridged. Quaint
and pigmy craft, like those IN
which he crossed trackless sea.
have come for the first time within the
waters of tho republic which reveres his
name. Strange and curious vessels are
they, unlike anything In the heavens
above, or the earth beneath, or the waters
upon the earth. For all they are like
the modern ships they might
have dropped suddenly from an
unknown world. They display
flags of whimsical device. They are tiny
and clumsy and antique. better fitted for
the calm waters of a land-locked lake than
for Drawing the buffeting OF an angry sea.
Yet, before those bits of painted wood the
flag of the United States was today low
cred. For the memory OF what
they represented the honors of a
nation were heaped upon them.
No wonder that the air was filled
with the sound of music, or that the can
non Numbered or that the enthusiasm
ran as high as the waves which later in
the afternoon filled the harbor with long
reaches OF white foam. History
has recorded many naval pageants.
but never one that was so full of
significance. or so spectacular as that
which today added TO the historical inter-
est of Hampton roads. The day was per-
feet. All night long a skirmishing wind
had driven into the west, the clouds
which yesterday overhung the sky.
Day broke into a cold morning. The
sun shOne down upon sea as quiet and
blue as the silent azure above. The
crescent of the waning moon hung high
above the horizon, and delicate clouds
drifted overhead. For two miles or more
stretches the fleet at anchor. the ensigns
OF nearly dozen nations giving touch OF
brilliant color.
Inside and almost under the green and
velvety ramparts OF the picturesque old
fort lay the ships OF the white squadron
like flock OF 1eecy sheep at rest, while
on the outer edge toward the sea lay the
bulls Of the foreigners. The water was as
pihNA0 I'D q WOOuiduu bpIluR. ehN6
a breath of southern wind stirred
the mirror-like surface into a
thousand sparkling points OF light
The land hung low and indis.
tinct in the distance eli around
the fleet except out toward the sea. From
that direction, moving so slowly that they
seemed not TO move at all came the three
war ships OF the Spanish squadron. Be-
hind each one of them was an odd and
miniature ship, a cross between u Chinese
Junk and Queen Anne cottage.
As if with Columbus still IN the PROV
the fleet sailed on. The caravels were
draped with as many flags and futtering
pennants as a Christmas tree. From the
foremost hoated the white flag with
the green cross, the ensign which
Columbus flew ss admiral of
his dimnutive fleet when he turned his
face toward the western sea. Under
meath this was white pennant with the
same design. From the mainmast few the
royal standard OF CASTLE and Arregon,
their rampant lions on a white ground, and
the castles of Arragon on a deep red field.
Beneath this was the pennant of Column
bus. The mlzzen-mast displayed another
banner with black eagle no ding 4 shield,
upon which were the armoral bearings
OF the proud house OF Arragon.
Still another pennant beneath this bore
the shield of the order of Santiago The
penants We're unique. They were almost
long enough to drop TO the deck. and each
penant with the exception of the small
square upon which the insignia were
placed was split in two long and serpentine
tails which every little while tangled
themselves into bow knots or were caught
fast to the crude rigging. The gay BAN
ners gave the miniature ships festive
look and made them seem the more like
| toys. Admiral Benham came out
upOu the after bridge of the Newark
and lifted his cap IN formal salute,
! while the Newark's band contributed
its melody. The sun fell upon the Santa
Maria IS sails and enveloped her in a golden
glory. Her dark bronze guns. hardly
larger than turkey quilts, gave forth sa-
lutte. A moment later, having reached
the end of the fleet. the sail
ors OF the Santa Maria unwound
the thick rope which served as the cable
for the anchor and tossed overheard the
kedRe jus, as Columbus must have done
| when, under the lee of Watlings island.
| he made preparations TO step upon the
shore OF new continent.
The Pinta, n miniature of the Santa
Maria. was not anchored, but rocked upon
the waves, tugeing at the line which still
held her last TO the inianta Isabella.
The Nina. tiniest OF al. was hardly
| thirty feet long and looked like a baby
| cradle as she tossed TO and fro with the
slightest swell. She was crowded with a
crew OF eleven men. number less than il
takes to man one of the ordinary barges
| OF man-ol.war.