The sea coast echo. [volume] (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) 1892-current, 1893-04-29
THE PAST AND PRESENT,

Maria, Nina and PInta-The Representa-.
yves OF tho Age of Territorial Discoy.
CRY Mostly Welcomed by Those OF the
Era OF Demonstrated Progress-A Quee.
contrast Between the Vessels of Column
nu'' Day aud Those of Modern Times.
FORT MONROE, Va, April 22.-While
all the fleets lay at anchor yesterday
IN calm and motionless sea there came
moving slowly into barber three war
ships OF the Spanish squadron. Be-
hind each one of them was an odd and
miniature ship. cross between q Chi
nese junk and Queen Ann cottage.
AS if with Columbus still at the
PROV, the fleet sailed on. The caravels
for such they were, were decorated
with as many flags and fluttering pen
nants as Christmas tree. From the
foremast foated the white flag
with the green cross, the ensign which
Columbu flew as admiral of his dimnu-
ltlve fleet when he turned his face to-
ward the western sea. Underneath
this was white pennant with the
same design. From the mainmast flew
the royal standard of CASTLE and Ara
gon, the rampant lions on white
ground, and the castles of Aragon on a
deep red field. Beneath this was the
pennant of Columbus.
The miniature ships with their flags
and pennants attracted the attention
OF the aggregated squadron. The At
lanta and the Australia were the outer
most sentinels already at anchor. Be-
yond them lay wilderness of masts
and spars and bristling guns. Between
the congregated monarchs Of the navies
OF the world the Spanish squadron sped
slowly on, while the guns of the fort,
without waiting for the American
colors, saluted first. and kept up a
noisy booming. On board the men-of-
war the interest was intense. The
rigging, the sides, the decks were
crowded with dark blue figures, while
from open PORTFOLIOS peered eager faces
OF the seamen along the squadron.
The marines were in line upon the
after deck presenting arms to the flag
OF the Spanish admiral. The bands on
the f1agships played the Spanish ma
tional air.
The Spanish ships passed directly
through the fleet and then came around
on the outside. the Infanta Isabel TAX
ing her position in the back, the Santa
Maria reaching the end of the line, and
spreading her sails to the wind. There
were three square sails, one directly
under the bowsprit, one bearing
huge red cross at her foremast
and another at the templecross of her
main mast. From the mast which rose
from her high cabin at the stern there
swung lateen sail. The canvas, dark
and discolored like ancient parchment,
bellied out with the wind, and as she
pushed her way forward, self-relia nj
and independent, every body and every.
thing was proud to do her honor.
Having reached the end of the fleet,
the sailors of the Santa Maria, the
Pinta and the Nina tossed overheard
their anchors.
Admiral Gomez breathed sigh of re.
lief when his toy boats were at last
safely moored. Five days ago, just
after he had left the harbor of Ha-
vana, the barometer began to fall ON.
lnously, and presently storm of cy-
clonic strength burst upon them The
water swept in upon the tiny Nina, and
more than once the officers of the Nueva
Espana laid astern with keen solicitude
for the safety, not only of the craft
that had been entrusted to their care
but of their fellow officers and seamer
who were aboard of her. 1t took nearly
half an hour for the Spaniard to pay
his compliments all around, first to tn,
American flag, then to the American
English, French and Italian admirals
and finally to all the ships that hat
saluted him. AS soon as they had beer
concluded the round of official visit
began.
Admiral Hopkins, commanding th
British fleet at the naval review, visited
Washington to-day. The admiral wa
presented to the president, show,
through the departments and taken t.
the navy yard.