The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-24
VISITORS TO THE WILMINGTON.
Many Paid Their Respects 10 Uncle
SANS GunbOat.

Many Paid Their Respects 10 Uncle
sans Gunboat.
The gunboat Wilmington was visited by
a large number of people yesterday. The
vessel lies off the foot of West Broad
street She is anchored fore and aft and
lies with her bow up stream.
An inspection Of the gunboat from the
shore is interesting and a curious crowd
IS nearly always standing near the land
ing to watch the vessel and the move
ments aboard
The hours for the reception of visitors
during the time the vessel is to remain in
port are from 10 o'clock to y and from
to .. Yesterday the larger number of
visitors went aboard during the afternoon.
The officers estimated the crowd
at about 400, of whom $50
probably visited the vessel during the
forenoon. The visitors were almost even
~ divided between the sexes. Every cour-
tesy and consideration was shown them
aboard, and they were escorted over the
vessel. Objects of interest and the pur-
poses and mechanlsms of many contriv-
ances new to landsmen's eyes were point
ed out and carefully explained
Some of the officers, as well as the men,
acted as encyclopedias for the inquiring
minds, and good naturally answered all
interrogatories. At no time did there ap-
pear 70 be a large number of visitors on
board. Appearances could not be taken
as evidence, however, as the crowd was
scattered throughout the vessel and it's
numbers could not be rightly estimated.
Just before the hours of noon and 5
o'clock arrive the visitors are notified by
the master-at-arms and his assistant that
the time for their reception has nearly
passed, and they are asked to prepare
TO return TO the shore. Going TO the
gangways they find fleet Of small shore
boats awaiting a chance to catch re-
turn fare The boatmen charge 5 cents
each way TO carry the passengers.
The same hours for the reception Of
visitors will prevail to-day and also to-
morrow, when II Is expected that the larg-
est crowd will 90 aboard the gunboat
The men will all present their neatest
appearance on Sunday and win be dressed
M their incest suits Of white duck. The
decks VIII have been carefully washed
down, and all brasses and metal work
polished to-day being general clean
ing day aboard the vessels OF
war. one or two guests of the officers
who remained aboard yesterday afternoon
after the other visitors had departed. had
an opportunity TO witness the assembly
OF the crew ami marines in response to
the call to quarters. This call Is sounded
az about 5l5 o'clock.
Tho men take their places In ranks on
deck. ana are put through the exercises
OF setting up. Several OF the officers Of
me wilmington were entertained on
shore yesterday. a party Of them. con-
Asting OF Lieuts. Cutler, Bcrtolette and
orchard, and DR.. Cook. accompanied by
officers Of the naval militia, visited the
hermitage in the morning. and were de-
lighted with the quaint evidences the his
tor.c spot exhibits Of the system that pre-
vailed on southern plantations during the
days OF slavery.
During the afternoon the same officers.
with Paymastor Sullivan and Chief Engln-
Ger Lawrence, were entertained by the
naval militia officers. This morning the
officers on duty viii be scorted about the
city and this afternoon they viii be ten
dered blackboard ride 60 B0navonture ana
later fish supper at Thunderbolt.
Lieut.. II. $. Colding OF the naval militia
went driving in the afternoon with Com
mander O. G.. Todd
The Wilmington viii I've visited TODAY nv
government officers. Cupt Gillette of the
cnglneering corps. Lieut.. Georgc B. Nfaher
or the revenue steamer Tyboe. and Col
leotor OF Customs j. g.. w. Beckwith will
be officially received by the officers OF the
gunboah