Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-01
CONVENT AND BATTLE SNIP.
Two Features of the Fair That Are Attracting
General Attention.

Two Features of the Fair That Are Attracting
General Attention.
CHICAGO, May 1.-Two Of the most popular
sights on the grounds today were the reproduce
ton Of the Convent of La Rabida, which stands
just east Of the agricultural building, near the
south inlet, and the battle ship model which
lies of the mouth Of the north inlet. The
former is fac smile, as nearly as may be, of
the historic structure in which Columbus
sought refuge after being repulsed in his efforts
to gain the assistance Of the Portuguese court
In the original structure the walls are almost
bare OF ornament, but in the model raised to
commemorate the discoveries OF the great nav
igator every available spot is decked out with
mementos culled from every corner of the earth
to which his fame has travelled. Here the
famous picture of the prior Of La Rabida is
hung in the place Of honor. Beside it is the
curious anchor said to be the one first cast into
the sands Of the new world by Columbus on his
first voyage.
An old bell from the Church of ssnto Cerro
In San Domingo, the spot where Columbus
fought his first battle with the Indians, is one
OF number OF interesting relics from that
island. There are over 700 portraits in the
building, including full-length paintings Of
Ferdinand and Isabella The Columbus relics
proper include the great collection of docu-
ments loaned by the Spanish government. among
which are theletters patent from Ferdinand
an Isabella granted to Columbus when he
sa lied on his first voyage, making him admiral
Of the western seas. There are also the
breviary carried by Columbus on his voyages
and large number of valuable objects from
the Vatican collection Of Columbus curiosities
These relics Of the great navigator were all
day surrounded by curions crowds who seemed
to find in the presence of the articles which he
had used fascination not exercised by any
other attraction. The building itself ia unat-
tractive, being a faithful replica Of the old
stone structure which has withstood the storms
OF centuries in the Iberian peninsula.
THE BRICK BATTLE SHIP.
Although the worlds fair battle ship is built
of brick, and rests securely on the bottom of
the lake instead Of breasting the waves it is
none the less an attraction to the visitors, many
OF whom have never seen the genuine article
The illinois, moreover, is not altogether sham.
She is faithful reproduction Of the battle
ship Indiana, now afoat, in every detail above
the berth deck. She is fully manned and all
( the details of man-of-war life are faithfully
| carried out on board of her. She is 34S feet
long at the water line and SO feet wide at her
extreme breadth. She is of 10, 900 tons bur-
den, or would be if she were ahoat instead of
resting on piles as she does.
Every detail in the hull has been faithfully
followed and in form, at least, the ship has
every appearance of floating vessel of her
class. She has on board, beside her equip
ment a naval exhibit, composed of lifeboats,
torpedoes, charts. instruments, marine engines
and modes of American warships She is
commanded by Lieutenant Commander Taus-
sig, and is manned by blue jackets detailed by
the Navy Department, their assignment being
the reward Of good conduct.