The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-27
Navigator Henry McCrea's impress
siOns of the Pageant-$2, 900, ,OOO, 900
Worth of Vessels and Guns.

RYDE, Isle of Wight, June 26.-Lieut.
Henry McCrea the navigator of the United
States cruiser Brooklyn flagship of Rear
Admiral j. N. Miller, at the request of the
Associated Press, has written the following
account of to-day's picture from an Amer
lean officers point of view:
Did ever prince or potentate have bet
ter occasion to feel proud than did the
Prince of Wales to-day as he steamed
through the lines of vessels gathered here
to do honor to the noble Queen and him
self? On one side was Britain's own mag
nificent fleet and on the other a fleet of
vessels from each of the maritime nations.
All came in the interest of peace and good
will. The British fleet was composed Of
more classes of vessels than any fleet ever
assembled for they severally present pecul-
iarities fitted to satisfy all conditions of the
much varied services required verify a
complete navy in itself
THE column of foreign men-of-war was
composed of typical vessels from several
countries. An interesting assembage of
armored battle ships predominated and a
comparison of the ornaments of similar
vessels, say of the Indiana class, in our
service, leaves little doubt in my mind OF
the superiority of our own representatives.
The swan-like' Brooklyn, as a Britisher
called her. shines out decidedly as a mark
of advancement in the art of ship
building. She is modern. fast and generally
effective and her motto, Right makes
might, is peculiarly fitting. 1t expresses
the sentiment which fired the hearts of the
patriots in 1776, as well as represents the
advance of civilization.
IF there is any doubt as to the policy
best adapted for our country, glance at
the armament and war material here repre-
sented should convince us of the absolute
necessity for preparation as well as of the
extreme need of moderation before begin
ming hostilities. Certainly the material here
assembled is thus far experimental for few
If any of the guns present were ever fired
in anger. Nevertheless we know their ef-
fectiveness against armor plates as well as
against masonry, so it behooves us to be-
leve in their destructive qualities In war
times. Again, the question naturally arises,
how soon will these very ships, with their
modern excellence, become out of date. to
some of the new improvements? Fancy
what this would mean in England, where
even small inventions must come slowly
into general use, owing to the expense OF
their adoption on such scale.
But this is emphatically peace jubilee.
The nations represented at the jubilee
came here bearing congratulations and
best wishes for the Queen and the English
nation. Therefore, no talk of war or even
of arbitration is heard, attention generally
being called to the victories gained in these
piping times of peace. Surely the reign OF
Victoria is most exemplary In this.
Much might be written of the cordial
welcome extended to all foreigners, both
ashore and afioat. Our welcome has been
apparent even to the lukewarm, and Eng
lsh hospitality will lose nothing of it's
glamour or prestige through the gallant
naval officers, who a credit to their
country in social as well as military
events.
From a money point of view, / judge
that about 81 900 600 600 worth of war ma
terias swings at it's moorings here, with
out counting the fleet of merchant and
other vessels.
THE review will be long remembered
much will be written about it, probably it
will never be duplicated, and it will be
used as an argument for peace as well as
in the shape of warning to prepare. If
so, we should be thankful to all concerped
in it's management, heartily joining with
our English cousins III God save the
Ouaan