The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-04-16
HAMPTON ROADS IS LIVELY.
SHIP VISITING GOES ON, AJ1HoUoH
THE WAVES ARE MON.

and Then Enioy the Fun OF seeiaI the
Others Tn the Risky Work OF Escaping
Wet reet-The Fleet y Stirring AID 10
Pstriotsm-P-ince Isenberr stm Mt the
uyGcia The Good.by Flush OF F1irt-
ing and Fine Words Every Night when
the Naval Omesrs Leave for Their Vessel.
FORTRESS MONROE. April 15.-The soldiers in
old Fort Monroe feel perfectly safe now that
nearly all OF our brand new nnyy is anchored
close by. 1t Ia good to be an American citizen
and to know that such q navy belongs to US.
and it is II thousand times better to DO here
and see the twelve floating fortresses anchored
in u majestic line out in the sun dancing
waters OF this most beautiful and grandost OF
American harbors. 1t is becoming apparent
Tint this is not only the greatest
water show this country ever saw and
the most important naval rendezvous
we ever had. but that the assembling OF the
ships IL stirring our national pride and our
patriotism as nothing else could stir these
qualities in times OF peace. Tho thousands
who are living here and who are coming here
daily are changing multitudes. Every day
sees crowds with different faces. For two
weeks this has been going on. and 1t will con-
tinue nine days longer. by that time a very great
number Of important and influential citiz ems
will have seen this splendid demonstration OF
our naval ability and will carry tho news and
the thrill OF 1t all over the country.
1t is not possible to keep on writing from the
sober sido Of this occasion. and THE U
must stop now and then to chronicle tho fun
and frolicking and fashions and flirting at
the summer resort on shore. but nevertheless
the fact romans that n great work OF educa-
ton and OF pride DEVELOPMENT Is going on
here. Tho daily reports contain news Of tho
Gallantry OF our naval mon in their intercourse
with the women ut Old Point. and 1t Is natural
to dwell on their ability rs dancing men and
society beaux. But they deserve n serious
word Of praise as well rs the swift and threat
cninG ships on which they dwell. They shall
have that word right here.
1t is apparent that our new navy Is filled
with a bright and earnest lot Of men. who
contrast very strongly with the men Of the old
wooden navy. They are no more brave than
their predecessors. but they arc quickened by
the new spirit that raised us to the nth place
among the naval powers within a very few
| years. The new mea watch the new ships.
To spend u day or even an hour in the ward
room OF any Of the cruisers Is to be impressed
with this fact. Tho young enslGns and lieu
tenants are in love with their business They
arc enthusiastic. They delight to talk OF ar
NOR. OF guns. OF improved methods OF signal
ling. OF all the arts of modern warfare. They
arc impatient for the completion OF our battle
ships. They are chngrined by the failure OF
| the army to adopt modern small arms and are
hoping that the Navy Department will not
wait for the army. but will get modern rifles
for its men. They are not grave and sober
wiseacres who bore their friends with shop
talk. but thew are intensely interested and
we'll informed in the matters that make un the
serious sido OF their duties. They are a hand
some. shrcwd. sober. alert. and patriotic lot OF
WAN orJ 10 th,y do hn w m ltttla finn md Uirfa-
ton with the women they manage at the same
time to show United States citizens who see
them that we can count on them for ralor and
brains whenever we need them. With utter
truth We can echo the song OF the lingo party
in England:
wsaop. wan. to nsh,;
We've r"t the nerve. we'll get tho ships.
ANA we've 20; the money. 100.
To-day hal. been glorious. Summer seems
to ne here. Niolets are IN bloom on the ram
linen shirt waists, orchard blossoms turne%
the landscape within the f4rt into q water,
russell Shoes and open.work stockings proved
that the ladies' had not brought down their
srrinF attire mina6 Tor not tna T sna su mn water water
the cutters Of the Chicago and the San
cumstnncss. The race interested every
body. but none was 50 wrought up as the
i'am'nrs in the rlgains. niiod the nghtins tops.
! and all yelled like madmen. The San Fran.
rig. but this race was between great cutters.
each with fourteen men at the oars. and each
d.signs in taptooine on his flesh. or else such
hairy covering as to make their arms look
Utmost Ike the eye Of q grizzly. Tne san
Great parties 81 ladies saw the race from the
decks Of tho rhiladelrnin. Chicago. San Fran
The women bad u high old time getting to
til" ships. The heavy steam enters which
Ions. and occasional waves broke over tho
sides aud spriak!ei the fair faces and pretty
S1ysS that 4si hung dow down the s's siias % Of ' the f ship.
was the greatest fun. 1t required three naval
officers t. fSt Zach nra Womnn n sa' ss On the Gan.,
cutters tafI.ai,' The s.G others hers o on the ,s gpnGwny
she did not run up the stairs with the greatest
sp.od. a bic wave would surge up under the
little boots and pretty hosiery with salt water.
The girls are nearly al Wearing earl, w Silt n1yal
Ing the iv0ry-handled dirks that tho Russians
wear. they have taken TO cutting buttons from
the coats Of the sailors o. both nayies. The
the most coysted because they are fewer in
num!e r and can only be- gotten by a gil who
AS good French as these Russians speak. It is
said that when Tho, Russian Admiral arrives
lot Of officers. equipped with Partisan French
and DISTINGUISHED X better birth and very
elegant manners. lIbut Is merely u mHtt6T OF
gossip. and can he mentioned without the
least reflection upon, the Russians who are
hore. for all agree that they are a superb
body 0f men,.
Another piece Of gossip IS that there lisa
Prince with tho russians who are already
here. He is said to 10 the brother of the Car.
for his father was Alexander II. and his
Princess Dolgorouki. He isa big, staiwart
young man OF about 23 years OF age, with a
face that strongly suggests Romanoff rela;
tionship. He has n tiny black mOustnche. and
is 30 amia5io that he. smiles necessarily. He
is a midshipman, and is. credited with more
than average ability. Some OF our officers
methim in civilian attire at dinner in tho
Hygeis Hotel and endenyored to be- polite to
the American officers asked for tho cards OF
tho I;ussians. When they got out Of the din
otter With surprise and amusemsnt. SBy
jove. that's, q break" they said. We have
Some days aitcrward. they visited the Russian
ships and had a good time with the officers.
into n knot OF American and Russian officers.