The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-04-15

OF piaZZas and gazing WlSuuily iof Au'
| miral Benham's feet, which was some
| where near the capes, where II had peen
| left last night when Admiral Walker ana
| his five cruisers came IN from tneir
| evolutions In the upper bay
! The day was given an official havor py
| the return of Admiral Ghersrdi from
Washington, where he made the maj ar
| rangements with Secretary Herbert Tor
his reception here next week. A steam
launch awaited his arrival with two naVai
| aides aboard, and soon the valiant oiu
| officer was being piped over the sides OF
his flagship with all the pomp and cere-
mony known In the navy regulations.
Admiral Gherardi expected to find the
whole feet here, but as the arrival OF
both Admiral Benham and Admiral
Walker yesterday would have complicated
matters in regard 10 permission to anchor,
Admiral Benham decided to keep the
squadron at sea for the day and run In
from the capes this morning.
Hardly had the national airs on the
hagships at O'Clock this morning died
out in the distance when several flags
were displayed upon the Chicago and
Philadelphia. Their meaning was soon
interpreted. when in a few minutes Ad-
miral Walker stepped into his gig and,
rowed by six lusty tars, APP
preached the sides OF the
ship of his senior. More signalling
followed from the yard arms, carrying
messages from one ship to the other, and
as the Admiral mounted the sides,
marines presented arms. the bugle sound
ed and the band broke loose with lively
music. The Admiral came to report his
return from feet drill yesterday, and to
pay his respects to his senior. After ac-
cOmplishing this duty he was again piped
over the sides, and as his sig shot away
Ia
announced the termination of his visit
These reports brought every person in
the hotel and the Government reservation
TO their feet and to those who did not
know their Gneaning the inference was
that some other foreign ship had made
her appearance. But the people here have
got accustomed TO salutes. and knowing
that gun-powder is wasted on the least
provocaton they were soon satisfied that
no new visitor was in the Roads, and af-
ter all it only meant that one Admiral
had called to see another.
Hardly had these ceremonies been
completed, when down towards Cape
Henry there were seen faint curls of
black smoke issuing from five smoke
stacks. Closer the vessels came. when
it was seen the smoke was from the
squadron of Admiral Benham. which had
anchored in Lyr nhaven Bay over night.
Before the outlines of the ships could he
distinguished by the crowds on the Gov
ernment wharf. a piece Of bunting was
floating to the breeze from the Phila-
delphia. II was the signal to the Newark
from Admiral Gherardi that Admiral
Renham might proceed with the vessels
under his command up the Roads and
come TO anchor. This signal was follow
ed ny others from the military mast
Of the flagship. and as the approaching
pna In a
every vessel Haunted n dozen or more
signal flags, which it is presumed gave
them permission to do what they want.
ed I'm coming 10 anchor Gracefully and
beautifully the five ships, under easy
steam. slipped down towards their anchor
age grounds like so many swans, the
Newark I'm the lead and all strung cut
I'm line. Behind came the Baltimore. with
white curls cf steam drifting astern
from two white tunnels. Between the
Baltimore and the San Francisco was
the little Bennington, and I'm the van
was the Atlanta. The other ship attached
10 this division was anchored by herself
away from Admiral Walkers squadron.
and where she would he the last ship
I'm Admiral Benhams feet. These ships,
as they glided along with their white
sides shining in the sunlight. and with
flags on their yards. presented a masni-
ficent marine picture. which was watch
ed with the closest interest by those
on shore. Half mile north Of the Phila-
delphia the Newark signafled 10 prepare
to anchor. The signal was repeated from
ship to ship. and at the command from
the flagship five bow anchors dropped
into sixty feet OF water and Ave ships
swung 10 stiff ebb tide. Later Admiral
Benham reported to Admiral Cherardi
and was received with salutes due his
rank.
Admiral Gherardi stated to-day that all
the ships would remain anchored until
they started on their trip to New York
on the 2ith.
The return Of the ships this morning
gave an impetus to social events. To-
night Notwithstanding a stiff breeze,
which might have deferred all but those
accustomed TO hraving the elements.
there was gathered in the ballroom
every officer who was not compelled to
remain aboard ship. Admirals Benham
and Walker came ashore early In the
afternoon. and not even the youngest |
naval cadet entered with more spirit into |
the gayeties Of this place than did these |
two ranking officers OF the old navy |
Grizzly old Admiral Gherardi was con- |
spicuous everywhere, and when he was |
not surrounded by a coterie Of young |
women he was graciously asking those |
he met to accept of the hospitality OF his |
flag ship. Young and old officers mixed |
indiscriminately. and i'm the ballroom |
rank for a time was cast aside. and |
everyone was on the same footing ex- |
eept the poor civilians, who were ruth |
Iessly cast aside and looked upon as |
being decidedly out of their element, at |
least for the present That they are not |
receiving the same attention from the |
women as the naval men. and that they |
are regarded with little interest is en-
phasized by the fact that at a german |
10 be given tomorrow evening by the |
ladies of the hotel they have not been |
considered at all. and have been given |
to understand their presence will not be |
expected
Good naturedely those not wearing a
Uniform have resented this seeming slight |
md declare they will not be dictated to TN
he matter OF attending ball here, and
hey will come nevertheless. The Rus
sian officers were the centre OF admira-
ion. and the combination of their French
md broken English enabled them TO make
known their wants and decidedly rival
he Americans In their devotion 10 the
girls.
out In the Roads the scene closely re- !
;embled that on approaching city from
he sea. For two miles the white cruisers
ode TO their anchors. while In their tops
md at the yard arms the red and white
signal lights carried on messages which
'ealy meant nothing and were simply
made as the Admirals said. TO amuse
hose ashore From masthead 10 rail
hese lights In combination were re-
,aaIad and az ouickly M thew appeared |