The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-04-28

ant of Columbus. followed the Dolphin in
the army-boat General Meigs, and the
members of the diplomatic corps occupied
the coast survey steamer Blake.
Immediately after President Cleveland
and party had boarded the Dolphin the
order to weigh anchor was given, and as
the trim navy yacht turned her bow toward
the men-of-war waiting to receive her with
music, flying flags and the roQrs If great
guns, she fired gun as a signal that the
review mad at last begun. An instant
later, while the white SMOKE from the Dol
phin's gun was lowering over her
deck, the big MiantOnomoh's sidas began to
fash fire and throw out huge puffs of smoke
from her len-inch guns, warning the walt
ing fleet to make ready for the great spec
tacle. Then the review began.
There have been naval reviews Of an in
ternational character before, but none so
striking as this. At the one at Genoa,
Columbus birthplace. last year, at which
vessels representing thirteen nations par
ticipated, there were only tweuty-seven
vessels in line, and those mostly second
class ironclads. Great Britain, France and
Germany have made imposing demonsira-
tons in the English Channel and off Spit
head, and have passed in review before the
crowned heads of England and Germany.
and the powerful Russian fleet has more
than once 'focked by ITSELF in the Baltic,
in review of the Emperor of all the Rus
slas, in a manner to excite the apprehen-
sions of other powers; but, as a peaceful
demonstration, the naval review of to-day
eclipsed all in its interest. 1t was pecu-
Harry manifestation of sentiment, n OF
force. Yet some OF the tleetest and most
formidable vessels in the world were there.
The Quaintest part of the days proceed
ings was that of the post of honor at the
head OF the review, which was given to the
Columbus caravels, which, with inf ite
care, had been towed from Cadiz to Cuba
by United States war vessel, and from
Cuba to Hampton Roads and New Y York by
Spanish warships. These pygmy boats
were anchored opposite Ninety-third street
and formed practically the turning point Of
the review. The contrast of four centuries
of naval development could nor have been
more strongly aud picturesQuely marked.
The line of vessels reviewed was over
three miles in length, stretching in two
columns from Tweuty-third street to Nine
ty-filth.
As soon as the President touched the deck,
bang! went one of the Dolphn's guns and
the Presidents flag puffed out from its ball
at the masthead. Then began q screaehing
of whistles from all sorts OF craft, while the
Dolphin, Concord and Miantonomoh fred
in turn the Presidential salute.
The Dolphin passed steadily along be-
tween the two lines of warships, with the
President standing on the quarterback sur
rounded by his Cabinet. Their Somber
black clothing and tall hats contrasted
strangely with the uniforms of the officers
surrounding them.
Almost instantly the crews of the men-of-
war all along the line went to their posi-
tions facing the rail, and at the mastheads
and tops. The rain ceased, and there were
indications that led the anxious spectators
to hope for the appearance Of the sun.
The programme Of each ship during the
review was identical. AS the Dolphin ap-
preached the band on each played the IA
tiOnal air of the country to which it be-
longed, the officers and marine guard on The
poop deck saluted. the sailors manned the
yards while the men on the rail- both star
board and port, faced the reviewing ship.
As the Dolphin passed each ship fired
salute OF Iwenty-one guns, and from the
lower end of the lines OF men-0f-war look
ing up the river The Dolphin was invisible.
After she passed the first two men-of-war
clouds of smoke hid her from view, ana the
roar Of guns echoed and re-echoed as thew
have never done in the valley of the Hud-
son before and may never do again.