The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-04-22

For MoSRor, April 2l.-Tho three
Columbus oarayels arrived htte a. half
past ten o'clock this morning, in tow OF
the three Spanish war saips, and were
received with thundars OF sa!uies and
display OF flags OF the eolors represent
cd by the aools, and dropped anchor at
the end Of tho American line OF vessels,
Tho day could have not been more
beautiful nor the scene moro impress
siyc as they came down the roads decor.
ated from jibboom TO tairail With the
aags Of CASTLE and AraGon aud Queen
Isabella, standing out aud hultgring IN
the gentle breeze. The little fleet was
tumbled about of the Virginia coast
yesterday in q lively fashion by the
northwest wind that blow all day, bu!
the ships managed to make the capes
early this morning, and after taxing
pilots aboard proceeded in.
the CARAyELs.
Columbus, four hundred years ago,
stood upon the deck OF the Santa Maria
and saw a new continent, To-day the
auarte.te Of centuries has been brldgcd,
Quaint and pigmy craft. like those 10
which ho crossed 6 trackiess sea, have
come for tho trsttime within tho waters
OF the republic which rGyGros his name.
Strange and curious vessels arc they,
unlike anything In the heavens above
or the earth beneath or the waters
upon the earth. For all they are Ike
the modern ships, they might have
dropped from an unknown world.
They display flags oil whimsical
device. They arc tiny and clumsy and
antique, better fitted for the calm
waters Of land locked lake than for
braying the buhoting OF an angry sea.
Yet, before these bits Of painted wood
the Aag OF the United States was
lowered to-day.
No wonder that the air was filed
with the sound OF music, or that the
enthusiasm ran rs high as the waves,
which latter ia the afternoon filled the
harbor with long reaches OF white foam.
History has recorded many naval
pageants, but never one that has 20 lull
OF significance or so spectacular as that
which to-day added TO the historical in'
terost OF Hampton Roads.
Secretary Herbert will probably have
a complex problem TO solve before
Monday should the Russian admiral,
now on his way from tho West Indies,
arrive here before the departure OF the
fleet on that day. A naval officer oil
one Of tho nagships stated to-day that
the English vice admiral, Sir j. o.
Hopkins. does not relish the idea OF
having any but first place in the feet
formation when it starts for New York,
which would give him the place oil
honor behind the American vessels.
The Russian admiral. it is understood,
ranks Admiral Hopkins, the formers
commission antedating that OF tho lat
ter, both being for tho same grade, 1t
is believed that precedence will rule in
the formation, and II such should bO
the case tho Russian feet would be en-
titled to sail ut the head OF the foreign
ships, Notwithstanding the fact that
Admiral Hopkins arrived in port first.
The English admiral, it is said, las
looked nto the matter and Is
determined to head the lne,
Should tho Russian officer persist
that he is entitled to the first place,
Admiral Hopkins will produce u com.
mission which he has already, promot.
ing him to the grade oil full admiral,
run up his flag, sRluie II and thus bo en-.
titled 10 load the line. Naval officers arc
watching with interest the outcome Of
this naval procedure.
Secretary Herbert is expected to
reach hero at 10 o'clock tomorrow. In
the evening he will give dinner on
board the Dolphin to the commanding
and flag officials. Sunday evening Ad-
miral Hopkins will entertain the sacrG-
tary and the admirals aud captains on
board the Blake.
Admiral Ghcrardi stated to-day that
the fleet would sail at 10 o'clock on
Monday morning for New York. The
caravels may DO cent ahead in convoy
OF the tug boats. This evening many
officers lett for the international ball az
Norfolk. The ball was crowded with
dancers until a late hour,
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Bound for Fortress Monroe.