Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-04-09
SUNDAY. APRIL Q. 1898.
The Naval Rondezvous.

The naval rendezvous in Hampton Roads
from the 18th TO the oath Of this month,
inclusive. will present marine pageant
such as Il Is not probable will, after the
demonstration in New York harbor. DO
again afforded in century. The flags OF
nearly all nations Will float in the COM
bined feet and every type Of the fighting
ship of the ago will be- represented.
The determination 90 have n rendezvous
In Hampton Roads was in many respects
in harmony with tho historical suggestions
Of the affair. No place on the American
continent is more closely identified with
the genesis Of the United States than thaV
magnificent expanso Of water. It's linked
with an eYont no less important IN IFS
bearing upon tho dcstinles Of tho new
continent than the discovery OF
America by CoLUNmUs. Into Hampton
Roads on Tho Goth of April, 1907,
sailed three vessels under command OF
stout old CHE1srorHEB NLwroRr. these
cockle-sheIls. scgregatinc only 1Go tons
hurthcn. bore the voyecors who etectea
The first permanent English settlement IN
America and planted colony from which
sVrang a nation OF 60,OJo,0o0 of people.
Whatever may be said Of the claims o.
subsequent permanent colonies tho TACT
remains that intrepid JOINS SMITH and hls
little band Of followers laid the corner
Stone of this great republic. Not Only
that. bat out Of Virginia IN later years
came more Of the architects of the super
structure than from any other colony.
rut there IS another event that makes
the selection of Hampton Roads for
great naval rendezvous sisnGHy appro-
pirate. on Saturday, March 8, 1862. the
Virginia cor Merrimacl, dylng the colors
of newborn nation, steamed out OF Nor
fl1 Larbor and challenged the United
Ststa- leet in the roads O. battle. On that
da, s.o destroyed tho Cumberland and
the Congress. and the next day drove tho
Monitor under the guns Of Fort Monroe.
on the llih Of April following, after seek
Ing another easlgement with the Monitor
which was declined, she retired IN TIL
unph. and on the sth @. May drove tho
Monitor, Naucatuck. aud SIX other United
States war-vcsseis from Sewclps Point 10
within ono and o half miles OF
tho fort. The Virginia was al expert
ment IN naval construction. But she was
an experiment that IeyolutjonIzed naval
architecture II is true that floating bat
tories protected b. massive armor-plates
wero used m Scbasjopol. but 1t was left
for the genus and ingenuity Of aContede-
tate States naval constructor 10 devise and
put into practical service an armored bat
tlo-ship. From the Virginia were evolved
the iron and steel fighting loyiathans Of
the present, aud the monsters that VIII
gather IN the roads viii, III sense, be
paying homage at tho birthplace Of the
first modern naval engine of destruction.
ASIDE, however. from historical sugge3-
tions and associations. the rendezvous can
not fail 10 be interesting and instructive.
The immense size OF some Of the ships,
Their ornaments, their hydraulic mac him
cry for handling their guis and proJectlles'
will certainly prove revelation 10 the
average landsman. Further, q prett,er
end more imposing sight than the ma
nuuvring Of the feet could hardly he ina
Cined. II is. therefore, TO be anticipated
that during the demonstration Norfolk,
old Point. Newport News, and Hampton
will be densely crowded with visitors. as
from any of these places there - convent
ent access TO the anchorage and man9u-
wiring grounds.