Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1893-04-22
A DAY OF GLORY.
Dcings OF the Fleets at Hampton
Roads, Va.
A SERIES OF BOAT RACES
All of Them Won by the Men of the
San Francisco The Arrival
of Il French
ship.

FORTRESS MONROE, Va, April 20.--A
foreign ship passed in between the
-capcs early this morning and dropped
anchor with the fleet. The French
flagship Arethuse, which has been
daily expected for some time, was
sighted before many persons were astir.
She received the usual deafening sa-
lutes from the feet and the usual calls
of ceremony were made. Just before
noon the new cruiser Detroit came into
the Roads with two brooms made fast
to her rigging. indicating that the navy
had another ship that could sweep the
seas. She circled around the heet ana
steamed out for battle.
To-day the men of the San Francisco
own the earth and they have fence
around it. In every race in which their
crews rowed yesterday they came OF
victorious. With the finest ship in the
fleet. with John Crittendon Watson for
their commander. and now with victory
pcrchcd upon all their banners, they
are willing to challenge the world and
give odds. When the San Franciscos
six-oarcd gig came swecbing across the
line in the first race, leaving the Phila-
delphia and the Blake and the Chicago
and the two Russians to come in behind,
there was a howl of JOY.
After something of a tusslc with the
white shirted men of the Partridge, the
San Francisco whaleboat headed the
procession of struggling crews, the roar
became whirlwind of sound and. final
ly, when almost neck and neck race
with the Baltimore's dingy. resulted in
AN unbroken series of victories. the men
went mad with delight and filled the
air with a cyclone of yelling that would
howl down "a gale ut sea. As a matter
of fact. if an amateur had been asked
to pick out the winners he would have
mt once put his last dollar upon the En-
glishmen.
They were arrayed in white under
shirts. with barred arms, and every mus
Gle of their broad chests was plainly
visible through the thin covering OF
flannel. They looked like professional
,oarsmcn. all except the marines, who,
having discarded their scarlet uniforms
for blue and white striped shirts. tried
their hand ut rowing in the whaleboat
race and finished far in the rear. Lieut.
Col. bennington, whose name is syn
onymouS in the navy with athletic
sports, acted as starter, and the judges
were Ieuts. T. NJ. Potts, of the San
Francisco: Il. 5. Rogers, of the Chicago,
and Lieut.. Allen. of the Tartar The
boats passed the finishing line in the
various races rs follows:
First race-SiX cared gigs; San Fran
cisco. Philadelphia, Blake, Chicago and
the Russians.
Second race-Twelve cared cutters;
San Francisco, Chicago, Atlanta, New
ark. Charleston, Philadelphia and Tar
tar.
Third race-SiX cared whale boats;
San Francisco, Partridge, Atlanta,
Charleston and Australia.
Fourth race--Four-oared dingy; San
Francisco baltimore, Chicago and Phil
adclphia.
tiiS P"'Ns
in prizes was not large, the highest
prize being $50 to first and $50 to second
boat. u considerable sum of money
changed hands.
An amusing feature Of the races was
the appearance of the catamaran crew
of the Philadelphia. The boat was
made up in imitation of their vessel
and across its stern was painted the
word "Soup." The crew were clad in
fantastic costumes
The British warship, the Partridge,
left here suddenly yesterday afternoon,
it is believed, for Nassau, where it is
said some difficulty has arisen between
the white inhabitants and few col
.ored natives.
Her departure was not known until
she had quietly slipped out Of the har-
Dor. The loss of the vessel from the
British display will not materially af-
feet il as she was the smallest vessel of
the Ave and made but poor appear
auce alongside of her sister ships.
The Dolphin left yesterday afternoon
for Annapolis, where she will take Sec
rotary Herbert aboard Friday and con-
vey him here for the dinner he gives to
the officers of the feet Friday evening.