The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-04-22
SPAIN'S FLEET In PORT.
TIE THREE COLUMBUS CARAvELs
TOWED INTO THE ROADS.

Their Arrival the Signal for a Renewal
ofthe Cennonading-3ecretery Her
bert to Arrive on tho Scsne This Morn
ipg-A Complex Question of Naval
Etiquette.
FORTRESS MONROE, Va. April 21.-The
three Columbus caravels arrived here this
morning at 1890 o'clock in tow of three
Spanish warships, and were received with a
great thunder Of salutes and display OF flags
Of the countries represented by the fleets
and dropped anchor at the end of the
American line Of vessels. The day could
not have been more beautiful or the scene
more impressive as they came in the roads,
decorated from iibboom to taGrail with the
flags or CASTLE and Aragon. and Queen
Isabella standing out and fluttering in the
gentle breeze. The little feet were tumbled
about off the Virginia coast yesterday il
lively fashion by the northwest wind that
blew all day, but they managed to make
the cspes early this morning, and after
taking pilots aboard proceeded in.
ORDER OF THE PROCESSION.
At the heed OF the fleet was the unpro-
tected cruiser Infsuta Isabel, towing the
flagship Santa Maria, which displayed the
flag Of the admiral. Behind and a mile
astern came the torpedo vessel Neuva Es-
pana with the Nina as her charge, and in
the latter's wake was the big black pro-
tected cruiser Reina Regente with the
Pinte. They were towed by at least
quarter of mile of hawser and looked like
90 many ducks sitting on the water with
the feathers OF their tails plucked. When Off
the fort the stars and stripes were broken
out and saluted by the leader, the fort
quickly responding. Before the Santa Maria
was abreast of the Philadelphia, the Dutch
frigate, Van Speyk, ran up the Spanish
colors and saluted them with thirteen
rounds. Then the Russian ship, General
Admiral, commenced to salute and later
every flagship in the harbor honored these
curious looking crafts aud the country they
came from.
COMPLEX PROBLEM.
Secretary Herbert will probably have a
complex problem to solve before Monday
should the Russian admiral, now on his
way from the West Indies, arrive here be-
fore the departure OF the feet on that
day. A naval officer of one of the
fagships stated to-day that the English
vice admiral, Sir John o. Hopkins, does
not relish the idea Of having any but first
place in the feet formation when IL starts
for New York, which would give him the
place Of honor behind the American ves-
sels. The Russian admiral, it
is understood, ranks Admiral Hop
kins, the formers commission antedating
that Of the latter, and both being for the
same grade. 1t is believed that precedence
will be followed In the formation and if
such should be the case tbs Russian feet
would be entitled to sail st the head of the
foreign ships, Notwithstanding that
Admiral Hopkins arrived in port first.
The English admiral, it is said,
has looked into the matter and is deter-
mined to head the line. Should the Russian
officer arrive and persist that he is entitled
to first place, Admiral Hopkins will produce
q commission which he has ready promot-
ing him TO the grade Of full admiral run up
bis flag, salute and thus be entitled to lead
the line. Naval officers are watching with
interest the outcome Of this phase of
nava! procedure, and the wiseacres predict
that the Englishman, es usual, will come
out ahead.
HERBERT STARTS FOR THE RENDEZVOUS.
WASHINGTON, April 21.-Secretary Her
pert and his daughter, Mrs. Manning, Miss
Fryer and Naval Aid Ensign Wood left
Warrington for ANNAPOLIS to-day.
The party will board the Dolphin
as soon as they reach Annapolis
and sail Immediately for Hampton Roads.
The speed Of the Dolphin will be regulated
so as to reach the roads early tomorrow
morning.