The morning news., 1897-07-26
GU.vBoAT's LAST DAY IN PoRr.
Rain Kept Many People From visit
ing the WiImih gtOn.

The rain yesterday interfered with the
plans Of the large number Of people who
had inhended paying the United States
gun boat Wilmington a visit. The hours
set apart for the reception of visitors
ohanced unfortunately to be those during
which the down pour was saviest.
The weather proved a sore disappoint-
ment. as many who had had no earlier op-
porunities purposed visiting the Whining
ton during the day. The rain ceased at
43) o'clock That left only half an hour
for visitors, as the time for their reception
ended at 8 o'clock. Neve rtheless, a num-
Der of boats put off from. shore as soon as
the rain stopped. and a few minutes were
spent on the gun boat 70 many of the Wis
itors, the sights were. new and the ex-
plantations given by the officers and men
were listened to with interest. This morn
ing viii be the last opportunity the public
win have to inspeCA the vessel while she
IS In port. She sfIils at / o'clock The
hours from 10 to II 0 clock will, as usual,
be those during which visitors will be
received No orders have been received a
yet by tae commanding officer of the Will
mington 10 indicate her destination. Ii
none are received she will probably pro
ceed TO Jacksonville where II is possible
she may relieve the Nesuvius now sta
toned there. This destination is that pro
vided by former orders, but it is expected
that later instructions viii be received to-
day ordering the vessel north. At all
events, these orders are hoped for, and, IL
they do not come, there will be disap-
pointment among the officers.
1t looks as if the vessel may get away
without ore or two of her men. Last
night there were some eight or
ten ofa the liberty gang ashore ana
there seemed TO be some doubt whether
they would get back. When Jack gets
ashore with money in his pockets.Sne does
not usually feel like hurrying back 10 his
floating home. That appeared to be the
case with the men from the Wilmington
The police We're instructed to notify all
the men Of the Wilmington they might
see 20 report on board their vessel TO
avoid arrest for desertion. The men may
only be trying to keep ashore as long as
possible and may go aboard before the
vessel steauls out There is some doubt
about this however, and the Wilmington
may leave port with one or two of hea.
complement missing.
The liberty men were paid off Saturday,
and their months pay has been getting
away from them at a pretty lively rate
ever since They have left almost all Of
it in Savannah.
The officers Of the naval militia con-
tinued their entertainment of the naval
officers during the day In the forenoon
Lieut.. Cutler and one or two other officers
attended service at St. Johns church with
some of the Savannah officers. In the aft
ernoon Chief Engineer Lawrence. Pay
master Sullivan and Ensign Bailey went
down to Tybee. Lieut.. Colding of the
second division Of the naval militia was
aboard the vessel during The afternoon
and dined with the ward room officers.
The officers Of the Wilmington leave the
city very favorably impressed. Their stay
has been made very pleasant for them
and they appreciate the efforts Of the Sa-