New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-23
ON BOARD THE BLENHEIM.
SIR JOHN THOMPSON'S BODY BEGINS THE
JOURNEY TO HALIFAX.
BORNE on A FUNERAL TRAIN FROM LONDON TIC
TORTSMOUTH-SAIL OF THE CRUISER
DEIAYED RY THE GALE

BORNE on A FUNERAL TRAIN FROM LONDON TO
PORTSMOUTH sAILING OF THE CRUISER
DELAYED BY THE GALE
Iondon Dec Pat daybreak this morning a
cold heavy rain falling, but there break
g., ,be clouds shortly before s o'clock. and soon
after that hour the weather had cleared and gave
nromise OF fine. cold day. Few persons, except
the twenty thirty directly interested in the re-
noval Of Sir John Thompsons body to Portsmouth.
whence il was to sail for Halifax the British
cr,lser Blenheim. gathered at the Baker-st. maui
soleum TO await the arrival of the Dominion off,
Gals in London. At Sis O'Clock employees OF the
undertaken carried the coffin TO the hearse At $40
O'Clock the little procession started for the VIC
,orja Station. where a dozen more persons
we're awaiting the arrival of the body. The special
train provided for the transportation of the body TO
Portsmouth was made up of five passenger coaches
and the mortuary car. which had been arranged as
a chapel and draped with black and white The
coffin which was placed on small catafalque, was
surrounded with lighted candles. Senator Sanford,
Father Longnotto. of ST. Edwards Church. OF
windsor and Mr.. Colmer, Secretary OF the Cana
dian Office. who represented Sir Charles Upper.
travelled in the mortuary car. In the passenger
coaches were Sir Frederick Young. vce-president OF
the Colonial Institute Captain Burnett of the Cana
dian Office; Mr.. Bigby. of Nova Scotia. school
mate ~ Sir John Thompson; Mr. Alexander Lang.
Iondon manager Of the Bank Of Montreal; Lord
Darlington. who was present az the representative
Of the Queen. and several others.
After the coffin had been placed upon the cata-
fs,oue Canadian flag. edged with Grape was
draped above IL. A black velvet banner. In the
centre Of which was a white satin cross was placed
Of the head and heavy brass crucifx at the foot
1-non the coffin lay the laurel wreath sent by the
oueen with a card inscribed: "A mark of sincere
affection Victoria, r. l." In addition to the tokens
son, by Queen Victoria and Sir Charles Upper.
MANY floral offerings placed in the funeral
ear with the coffin. A large crowd gathered al me
station TO witness the departure of the train. which
acquired at 910 o'clock. Throughout the journey
10 Portsmouth the sun shone brightly. AT every
etation along the line crowds had gathered, and as
tbe train passed all heads were barred.
portsmouth was reached al II 20 o'clock. The wind
vas blowing heavily and. the water rough and.
as the passengers aghted at the station they were
erected with a dash of rain. n dozen or more ON
belonging TO the warships in the harbor. were
standing upon the platform as the train stopped at
tho Southwestern Railway dock. Immediately oppo-
site the Blenheim The Right Rev. John Virtue.
a group OF priests and officials. under awning.
waiting for the rain TO cease. All the ships In the
harbor had placed their flags at half mast AS the
procession started sudden burst OF sunshine IL
cor,ed the coffin. The mourners were followed by
officials OF the city of Portsmouth. In their robes
Of office The coffin was borne over broad gang
way covered with black. and was received by the
officers Of the Blenheim on the deck and carried 10
the stern OF the vessel where II was lowered TO
the captain's cabin. 1t wrapped In the Imperial
cOlors and the Queens wreath rested over the head
Candles and crucifX were placed around II. After
were admitted TO view the coffin. 1t was expected
that the Blenhein would sail with the tide at p.
M but owing TO the gale. ii was decided TO defer
the departure until $50 o'clock tomorrow morning