The Helena independent., 1893-04-28

IN the day OF the great naval parade, anC
Soma hundreds of thousands who had ar.
ranged to view the g eatest marine speota-
Gle ever witnessed in American waters, if
not in the world, we're disappointed.
The rain did not keep all at home, how
ever. There was steady stream towarl
the North river all the morning, and tn,
hundreds of excursion boats. steam yachts
tugs and other craft were filled with sight
seers not kept at home by Farmer Dunn'e
disgraceful weather. Other crowds sought
places along the docks. on tops of build
ings, and at Riverside park, plodded
through the mud, stood in pools of water,
with umbrellas and mackintoshes weepinc
In proportion to the wet. There was greai
disappointment on the squadron. The
crack ships of ten nations had been put in
readiness for their part in the celebration
The hulls were painted, the decks holy
| stoned, brasswork polished, and the guns
were cleared for salutes. On board these
the decks and rigging and hung in pearly
drops from the brasswork. Dress uniforms
were abandoned for storm coats and Jack
Tars, instead Of being in holiday rig, were in
everyday attire.
AS early as eight o'clock the naval vessels
began to put ON holiday attire. United
States flags were run up to the mast-heaas
on all vessels. American and foreign, and
lines of steamers followed, soon transform
ing what had been collection of bare
poles into 2avly- decked forest of masts.
Just as every one was expecting the pro.
gramme to be carried out, word was passed
around that the review had been postponed
until two p. M, and the signal boat Cush-
ing pushed out from her pier and made the
rounds OF the vessels. notifying the COM
mande,s of the changa.
As soon as this fact was learned all ex-
cursion steamers put back to their docks,
amid considerable gtumbling on the part
of the passengers, who had had much dis
comfort to no purpose. Later, as the time
set for the ceremonies approached, they put
out on the water again,
Promptly at one o clock President Cleve-
land and party left the Victoria hotel,
drove to the dock. embarked OH the
steamer Dolphin and steamed away to re-
view tho squadron in spite of the still un-
favorable weather.
There have been naval reviews of All in
ternational character bofore. but none 10
striking a. this. Ono was at Genoa, Co
lumbns' birthplace. last year, at which YES
sells representing thirteen nations partici-
pated. but there were only twenty seven
vessels IN line. mostly second GLASS. The
ironoiadS OF Great Britain, France and
Germany have made imposing domonstra-
tions in tho English channel and off Spike
head, and have boen passed in review before
the crowned heads of England and Ger
many. and the powerful Russian neet has
more than once "hocked by itsolf" in the
Baltic FOR review by the emperor of all the
Russias, in manner that excited ths ap-
prshensions of other powers, but as Il
peaceful demonstration the naval review of
to-day eclipsed all in interest. 1t was n
peculiar manifestation of continent not Of
force. yet some OF the fleetest and most
formidable vessels in the world were there.
The Qunintest part OF the days proceed
inRs was that at the post of honor. at the
head OF the review, we tho Columbus car
avsls. which, with infinite care. had been
towed from Cadiz to Cuba by n United
Stasea war vessel, and from Cuba 20 Hsmp-
ton roads and New York by spanish war
ships. These piRmy boats anchored oppo-
site Ninety-third street and they formed
practically the tuning point of the review.
The contrast OF four centuries of naval de-
velopment could not have been more
strongly and pioturesqusly marked.
Inc line OF vessels reviewed was over
shres miles IN length. stretching in two COL
umna from TweRty third street 10 Ninety
NTH. The president was escorted to the
Dolphin BY naval aides. accompanied by