Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-04-27
In HUDSON RIVER.
ALL THE CRACK WAR-SHlPS LYING
OFF NEW YORK.
Everything Ready for the Great Column
bian Parade of To-Day-A
Pretty Picture.
lRY telegraph 70 the pispatch. ]


O'Clock this morning Admiral Gherardi
gave tho preliminary signal for the Ameri-
can and foreign fleets to break anchor and
fall into line. The start was 80 promptly
ct 9:85 that the thousands of spectators
who had gathered to witness the spectacle
from the NaveBink Highlands and the
heights OF Fort Wadsworth and other
points Of vantage on Staten Island had
hardly taken up their position before the
guns Of Forts Hamilton and Wadsworth
boomed their welcome to the advance
fleets. stoaming neck and neck.
The two Admirais (GherardI and Hop
kins) and their fagships led the way at the
rate of bstween eight and nine knots. A
brisk breeze curled the waters into white
capped breakers but the magnificent snlps
clided along so smoothly that their mo-
tion seemed scarcely perceptible. The
time occupied IN passing the forts was eX-
actlY half All hour.
After passing the Narrows the vessels
entered the upper bay and fleet Of ex-
curslon steamers and yachts fell in and
became volunteer escort. The absence
of cannonadIng left the air clear, and
every outline Of the magnificent ships
stood out IN luminous silhouette against
cloudlcss sky. The flags OF the different
nationalitIes. and even the names OF the
D
/ shore.
UP THE HARBOR.
The fleets were preceded by navy-yard
! tugs and patrol steamers, whose duty IT
was 10 keep the course clear. The rear
was brought up by four revenue cutters.
No vessels of any kind were allowed TO
break through the line. The ships steam
ed up the rlvcr until the Philadelphia and
the Blake reached a point opposite
Elghty-nipth street, when the signal was
given TO anchor. The rear of the double
line was opposite west Ihuty-tOurth
street aud was held by the Mlantonomoh.
/ The Dolphin was of 1wenty-second street
| where she Will remain until the President
| boards her At half-past 10 O'clock to-mor-
| row to review the ships
II was lust 1l:45 o'clock when q single
| gun from the Philadelphia gave tho signal
| that the anchorage grounds had been
| reached, aud answering almost instantly,
n gun doomed on the Chicago and the an
| chors OF the twelve American ships dropped
! a. f released by electricity. The foreign
| vessels slowed down and steamed 70 posi-
| tions opposite the escorting vessels OF our
! fleet. Scores of tugs crowded with slght-
| secrs and excursion boats and COMMITTEES
| boats followed the column OF War-shlps up
! the North river. The navy tugs and signal
| boats directed the foreign men-ot-war
where to anchor.
The scene from any point on tho river
! front from Ninety-slYth street down 70
Thirty fourth street was beautiful one
| and q good toTerunner OF the spectacle
that will take place tomorrow ASIDE
from the signal gun to anchor there was
! no caDnOnadlug TO wake the echoes OF the
palisades or the heights Of Riverside Park.
IN POSITION.
Il was HIGH noon when the last anchor
| was dropped and tho feet was in position.
I The British ships extend down 10 Eightieth
street. the Russians 90 SiXty-ffth. the big
| black Jean Bart, Of the French navy. being
| opposite Sixtieth street. The Italian Etna
| is off ElftIeth street with the Giovanni
Bausan IN line. Opposite the Etna Is the
| Concord. last IN the American line. Ihe
| De Julio is opposite tho Bausan, while the
| Van Spevk is nearly abreast OF the lntan a
| Isabella Germany's two vessels are on the
| Jersey side. opposite the other Spanlard.
| The Brazilian ships are Just sOdth OF the
Spanish vessels on the New York shore,
and are anchored nearly down TO Thirty
sixth.
There was no accident and no confusion
attending the anchorage of the men-ot-
war. The BIC vessels moved up the river
IL the positions 10 which they had been
assigned a2d let 20 their ancnors at almost
precisely the points selected FOR them by
Admiral GherardI. No vessels were allowed
TO pass between the lines Ot the Two col
umns IT war-ships until they were all AZ
anchor. Then steamboats, filled with sight
seers passed up between the lines and IN
and out to obtain q good view Of our white
cruisers and the floating war-casiles OF the
foreign nations who are represented.
TIRE CITY INTERESTED.
The streets leading TO the river were
filled with parties OF slght-seers and the
city assumed holiday aspect. Crowds
thronced the piers which vera accessible
and carr age parties drove out on the Fifty
nintb-strcet pier TO got look ut the ships.
Riverside drive had CAV throng of peo-
PIE all day. Tho big Blake and tho Phlla-
delphla. at the heads of the two Co
| lumus. were much admired, aud the
| formldable-lookng Jean Bart, the Bra
lillian battlo-ship Aquidaban, and the bug
! Russian cruiser were picked out as the
most destructive looking If the visiting
ships. The clear atmosphere made oil the
vessels. even those of the further column,
plainly visible from the New York shore,
and while the day was cloudy, IT was such
an Improvement over yesterday that II was
! fully enjoyed.
The caravels we're not in the position
to-day which they Will occupy III the re-
| view tO-uOrrOW.