The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-04-19
FEASTING ON THE FLEET.
THE VISITING OFFICERS THE
GUESTS OF THE AMERICANS.

patch Boat Specially Arranged for
the Occasion and the Menu Megni-
hcent Cne-The Junior Officers Look
After the Visiting Juniors.
FORT MONROE, VA, April 1S.-The sec-
ond day OF the naval rendezvous finds the
weather cool, clear and beautiful aud all
that could be desired by both those on shore
and on the feet The roads are beginning
to fill up with the daily arrival of steamers
carrying thousands Of excursionsts from
Baltimore, Richmond and Norfolk and
numbers OF small steam craft of every de,
scTiption. gsyly decorated with bunting and
the flags of the foreigners, loaded to the
gunwales with passengers who show their
appreciation of the ships as they sail down
the one long line of American vessels and
then back by the British, Russian and French
ships. by gayly waving handkerchiofs, para
soils and small banners. Occasionally the
officer on watch steps to the side of his
vessel and returns the saluies, which calls
forth more waving and cheering from those
on the little pleasure craft. The harbor
this morning was dotted with every
imaginable description Of vessel from
the modern man-of-war to the
oyster canoe OF the negro, who
paddles his party around the vessels and
apparently enjoys the sight as much as his
more fortunate fellow couutrymen who
crowd the decks of the large passenger
steamers, or who are being layishly enter
tanned in the cabin of some luxurisnt yacht.
These latter craft have begun to arrive,
and by tomorrow several more will be here
with their loads Of enthusiastic spectators.
This was the first morning since the arrival
Of the Russian fleet last week that there has
not been graet firing off OF guns! in the
feet and at the fort to welcome some new
arrival.
Among the events of the day were boat
race and base ball game. A picked crew Of
the cruiser Chicago beat a crew of the
Philadelphia for a purse Of $50, contrib
uted by the officers and men Of the respect
i've vessels.
Base ball was amusing, chiefly to the
ladies.
ARRIVAL. OF THE GERMAN VISITORS.
According to naval etiquette 70 salu tea
are fired after the colors have dropped to
the accompaniment of the sunset gun.
The German squadron steamed into the
harhor so late in the afternoon that if the
Kaiserin Austria had not sbegun TO boom
her cannons some distance down the roads
she would have had to slip into her anchor
age officially unnoticed until s
O'clock O'Clock t9-morr0T S11t morning fmi9dd She
6ag and the flags of the American and En-
glish admirals, and her massive and defiant
form was hidden behind O cloud of smoke
as she steamed slowly TO a place near the
Russians. Behind her came the Headler, u
small gunboas of ], 800 tons, and not unlike
American vessels OF her size. While the
Kaiserin Augustus is {, 900 tons less than the
lob nd DO pof to dah al,o
is nevertheless the most modern
Wsrship now in the fleet and
presents many points Of interest even to
those who are not concerned with her
technical details. Her captain speaks En~
glish huently and so do many of her officers
aud men. This is her maiden trip and this
is the third port she has visited. AS the
day closed with the arrival of Germany's
two white cruisers, with all the
attending ceremonious salutes from
the fort, Admiral Gherardrs fagsh ip
and al exchange OF civiIities between the
new visitors and foreigners at anchor, 80
did the night begin with the entertainment
at dinner of all the officers In the combined
fleet by Admiral Ghersdi and our officers
on the thirteen ships that comprise the
latest addition to our new navy, and which
ere now lying at anchor as evidences of the
progress made in recent years toward the
repletion of the long depleted power of de-
Tense for the country's protection from the
sea.
700 AT THE FEAST.
Tonight foreign officers to the number of
700 are the cOuutrys guests and tonight
the American officers are playing the part
of hosts. Our senior rear admiral enter
tatned the high commanding affioers and
the junior officers did the honors to their
fellow officers on the visiting ships, with all
the honors and etiquette naval regulations
provide for such occasions. On account
of the limited seating capacity on any
of our fagships for entertaining
largo number of officers ut once, and for the
reason that no discrimination could be made
as would necessarily have to be followed in
giving two or more dinners, which would
have been necessary in order to have diued
all the visitors Of commanders rank, Secre-
tary Herbert determined to place the dis
patch boat Dolphin at the disposal of Ad-
miral Gherardi for this purpose. Accord
ingly she ewas sent to the Norfolk navy
yard, where her cabins were enlarged to
seat fifty persons and her interior fittings
made as lavish and magnificent as those OF
the best foreign official yachts. So this
evening when the brilliant assembage sat
down to dinner with Admiral Gherardi ID
found ship well suited for tho occasion, a
dinner that was prepared with great care
and hosts as genial and courteous as ever
RraCeO q tADle. Oai4bnb OlQ Admiral
Gherardl had given orders to
make the dinner tho best the markets
around here afforded, and the wines be
served were brought with him from differ
ent ports he entered on his trip around from
California two months ago. TIE cabin Of
the Dolphin presented q brilliant appear
snoe when these guests Of the government.
seated according 70 their rank in their
respective navies, with Vice Admiral
Sir J. o. Hopkins, K. G. b., of
the English feet, on Admiral Gherardps
right and Russian captain, The next rank
ing officer of the fleet, on his left. Assisting
Admiral Gherardi to entertain his guests
were the commanding officers Of our ships.
ARRIVAL OF THE GUESTS.
The dinner was given at 1850 o'clock, and
at that hour gigs and steam barges from the
foreign ships began to arrive. The guests
were attired in full uniform, with
side arms and all the accompanying
splendor of naval officers dress.
They we're received by the admiral,
surrounded by his staff. and the CAPTAINS Of
the white feet. The table decorations we're
elaborate and tasteful and consisted chiefly
OF the American oolors blended with those
Of England, Russia, France, Italy, and Hol-
land. The menu card was unique and the
engraving Of the different courses a
work OF art. Surmounting the
card which was OF pure white,
with beveled edges OF gold, was
bended golden dolphin with trident