The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-04-09
THE LOCAL EXERCISES
THE NAVAL RENDEzVOUS COMMIT
TEE COMPLETES ITS PLANS.
Extensive Preparations Being Made to
Accomm odate and Amuse the
Visitors Expected.

NORFOLK, VA, April S.-Special.-The
naval rendezvous executive committee
completed its arrangements tonight for
the local celebration in this city.
On the evening of Monday. April nth,
a free excursion will be given the school
children to see all the navies Of the
world in the roads. The owners OF the
large steamer Columbia have rendered
her without charge for this purpose.
The bicycle contest will come off Tues
day, the 18th, and on the same day an
amateur sailing regatta will he held. on
Wednesday the great international sail
ing races between boats OF all classes
from all the fleets take' place in Norfolk
harbor under the direction Of officers
selected by Admiral Gherardi and the
admirals Of the visiting squadrons. On
Thursday the grand military parade and
competitive drill will come off.
on Friday the contests between mill
tary. naval and civic societies and schools
for prizes, and at night fireworks and an
international ball will fill up the day.
on Saturday international races between
the admirals' barges, sailing races be-
tween boats and fleets of all nations, and
a grand pyrotechnic display will wind up
the week of festivities such as has never
been seen in this country.
Ii having been rumor6d in Washington
and elsewhere that suitable accommoda-
tions for the visitors could not be provided
for in Norfolk, It should be made known
that all the summer resorts around Nor
folk will be opened for the occasion.
Among them the Ocean Shore Park Hotel,
at Virginia Beach, Ocean View Hotel at
Ocean View, and the Ocean House, In
Portsmouth, besides a great many pri-
yate families and private boarding houses
have arranged TO care for large NUMBER.
Upon application TO Mr.. John L. Degge.
secretary Rendezvous Association, Visi-
tors can be located and accommodations
secured in advance at private boarding
houses and with private families. IL Is
now believed that the Marine Band VIII
furnish the music at the International
han in Norfolk on Friday night, April
2lst and their full number Of men VIII
plav throughout the ball, something they
have never heretofore done except at the
Inaugural balls.
Gherardi Gives Reception.
FORT MONROE, VA, April S.-Rear
Admiral Gherardi and the officers OF the
flagship gave a reception and dance on
board the Philadelphia this afternoon.
Shortly after o'clock the launches from
the flagship came ashore and were Dusy
for over an hour transferring the young
ladies' 70 the ship. A heavy sea was
running and the spray flying quite un-
comfortably. The band Of the Phila-
delphia furnished excellent music for the
occasion, which was highly enjoyed by
all. Admiral Gherardi. who IS rapidly
recovering from his recent Illness. paid
an official visit to Rear Admiral walker
on the flagship Chicago, where he was re-
ceived with customary honors and
salute on returning to his ship.
At ; p. NJ a strange craft was discov-
cred standing in from sea, and IT soon
proved TO be a foreign man-of-war. Word
was sent to Colonel Frank commanding
the fort to get his saluting battery In
readiness 10 welcome the coming guests.
At G O'Clock she had reached port,
and was found 70 be the Russian crusier
General Admiral from the West In
dies. She moved up a short distance west
Of the Philadelphia and alongside the
Chicago, where she came 10 anchor.
Shortly afterwards Flag Lieutenant
Potter. Of the Philadelphia, went aboard
the visitor The American ensign was
then run up TO the masthead and a salute
OF twenty-one guns fired, which was re-
flag was again run up by the Russian
and the admirals salute fired from the
PHILADELPHIA. This closed the official
functions for the day. Tonight the
Young officers Of the fleet are ashore and
enjoying the dancing at the Hygea.
The day opened clear, with warm
southern breeze. which increased in force,
and by noon rendered communication
with the fleet by visitors rather damp
operation.
Shortly before noon the Newark was
observed coming down from Norfolk fly
ing the flag Of Rear Admiral Benham.
which exchanged salutes with the Phila-
dephia. Signals were run up requesting
permission e. anchor, which was granted
by Rear Admiral Gherardl. and the New
ark took her position in the line just
east Of the Philadelphia. The distinguish
ing flags were then challenged. Admiral
Benham hauling down his blue flag and
running a red flag 10 the masthead. he
being the second officer in rank; while
Admiral Walker. who had been flying a
red flag. hauled it down. and ran up a
white one he being the junior officer Of
the admirals present.
Every hotel and boarding house within
a radius Of five miles is now being filled
with visitors who have come to witness
the review and what those who are
coming or expected later expect to do Is
an unsolved problem.
The first foreign war-ship 10 arrive at
the rendezvous is the Russian General
Admiral. which dropped anchor in front
Of the Hygeia to night running Up the
Stars and Stripes and saluting her from
her black por's with fifteen each. first The
fort. then the American navy, and re-
ceiving in return salutes from fort and
flagship respectively. while the Russian
l. IL