The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-07-04
UNDER THE ENSIGN.
A Wedding March on the War
ship Hartford.
The Historic Old Cruiser Made the
Scene of a Romantic Mar
riage.
Special to THE MORNING CALL

VALLEJO. July 3.-An additional halo Of
romance was thrown around the old flag
ship Hartford at o'clock this afterno Don,
for at that time Miss Ztti Woods of Oak
land and Frank McNear of San Francisco
were united in the holy bonds of wedock
by the Rev. w. L. CASTOR, pastor Of the
Cornell Baptist Church of Vallejo.
The affair was entirely imprOmptu. Ar
rengements had been made for the cere-
mony to take place at the residence of
Mr.. and Mrs. Joseph Watson. friends OF
the young people, where the young bride
had been visiting for some time, and where
the reverend gentleman also resides and
has his study at the same place.
In the afternoon visit was made to the
navy-yard for the purpose of viewing the
various objects of interest. Walter Pen
nell, brother Of Mrs. Watson. accompanied
the party about the yard. While standing
on tho wharf viewing the monitor Conn
manche and the old Hartford, one of the
party suggested, "Wouldn't 1t be nice and
romantic to have the wedding take place
on board?" The thought was no sooner
uttered than all joined in and said: "Yes,
what's to hinder? Here is the parson.
the bride, the groom, bridesmaid and
groomSman."
Permission would first have to be secured
to 30 out to the old flagship. So the young
couple and their friends sauntered up and
down the wharf while the minister and
Young Mr.. Psnnell went to secure permits
sion from Tie commandant. At first per-
mission was denied the visitors 10 20 Oh
board, but when Mr. CASTOR explained the
case Captain Howison gave an order to
allow the wedding party on board. with
his best wishes for long life Of happiness
to the young couple.
whitehall boat was called from Vallejo,
in which the party took seats and were
pulled down past the old hulks and along
side the historic vessel of-war. Ship
keeper Pope was hailed and the permit
handed up to him. The party clambered
up man of-war fashion-up the side of the
weather-beaten vessel and on board.
While being shown around by the ship
keeper the preacher asked where it was
that the immortal Farragut stood on the
poopdeck before being dashed to the mast.
The party were shown as nearly the spot
as possible, when the reverend gentleman
requested hats to be taken off and a circle
to be formed. Young Pennell rung the
ships bell for wedding march while the
circle was being formed. Mr.. CASTOR then
announced that a marriage was to take
place. The old shipkeeper's eyes bulged
out with astonishment, and young couple
Joined hands, and in the most impressive
manner possible the marriage ceremony
was performed.
At the close fervent and at the same
time a patriotic address was made by the
preacher. With the exception of the old
sbipkeeper, who was wipng the tears
from his eyes. all Rugged and kissed the
blushing young bride, who was attired in
neat walking suit of blue surah silk and
light straw hat. The groomsman was clad
in a suit of blue. The wedding clothes
that had been prepared for the evening
ceremony were elegant. as the young couple
are endowed with goodly possessions.
After the ceremony the shipkeeper. with
grin. ushered them over the side into
their boat. In the meantime the fireboat
from the yard had been sent out to the
Hartford, thinking there was fire, having
been deceived by the ringing or the we'd
ding bells on board. The crew joined in
congratulations to the fond young hearts
just united as one.
The wedding party then returned on the
boat to the navy-yard and visited the Inde-
pendence and at the electric-light station
their pictures were taken in group. The
party returned to this city on tho ferry
boat Ellen and were the objects of much
attention and the recipients of salutes
from the steam whistles attached to the
boats on the bay. The young couple have
many friends at Oakland and in San Fran.
cisco.