The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1893-05-11
NEW SERIES. VOL. IL, NO. 90

| the Blake, fired her first gun. There
was big puff of smoke and deep
boom, entirely different from the sharp
sounds OF the guns of the smaller vessels.
The Philadelphia saluted as the Dol
phin reached the head of the line and
came to stop just in the rear of the
caravels. At the same time all the
amboats, tugs and pleasure blew their
whistles and made din almost as deaf
ening as the saluting. There was cheer
ing and waving of hats, handkerchiefs
and umbrellas, and the triumphal pro
cession of the presidential party was
ended. The whistles sent up cloud of
steam, which added to the smoke of the
guns, obscured the view of a large por-
ton of the river. The admirals of the
different squadrons then embarked in
steam launches and proceeded to the
Dolphin to pay their respects to the
President. Sir John Hopkins, the Brit
ish admiral, was first received. Next
came Vice Admiral Koznahoff, the RUS
sian admiral. Rear-Admiral de Libran,
of France, was third. Then followed
Rear-Admiral Magnaght, of Italy. The
Spanish admiral, Senior Y. Lono, though
an invalid. did not fail to pay this cere>
monial mark of respect to the Chief Ex-
ecutive, and was followed by Rear-Ad-
miral Howard, of the Argentine; Rear
Admiral Norhona, of the Brazilian fleet,
and the blode- haired and blue>eyed cap
tains of the German and Dutch steam
ers.
These visitors formed one of the most
interesting features of the day. As
nearly all the foreigners spoke or under
stood English the ceremonies were at
tended by no stiff formalities, but were
marked by cordiality and some degree
of convivialty also. Fifteen minutes
before the reception ended and when the
President was preparing to land, an adj
mOnitory signal was given from the Dol
phin, and as he left the vessel and en-
tered his barge, at the foot of Ninty sixth
street, every vessel Sin the feet again
manned yards and rails and once more
fred solute of twenty-one guns, follw-
ing the Dolphin's lead. Then the Presi-
dents flag was lowered from the Dol
phin and the public ceremonies of the
day were considered over.
An interesting account is given of the
display at night of electrical search lights
with which the war vessels are provided.
The American ships showed the many
ways in which the lights are used in ac-
tive warfare to protect themselves from
attacts of those marine terrors-torpedo-
boats. At times the projected rays were
concentrated at certain spots on shore,
then turned far up the Hudson, making
objects plainly visible at distance of
five miles. At a given signal every light
in the fleet was turned toward the zenith.
Slowly the rays converged until they
formed the apex of a brilliant silvery
pyramid of incalculable height. Experts
say it could have been seen seventy-five
miles away in any direction. In conclu-
sion, the operators gave some examples
of high art in ray projecting and describ-
ed various figures on the heavens
The Columbian Ball the same night,
at Madison Square Garden, is said to have
been the most splendid ever given in the
New World in its decorations and ar
rangement and the number of distin-
guished guests. The naval celebration
ended Friday with land parade of ma
rines from the visiting vessels, naval re-
serves, and several regiments of the Ma
tional Guard. There were about 10000
men in line.