The sun., 1897-06-27

Normandie, Empress Frederick, Coburg, and |
Connaught.
Shortly after p. NJ. single gun from the
flagship Renown announced tho departure from
the dockyard of the Prince Of Wales on tho
royal yacht This was the signal for tho royal
salute. which was fred by tho entire feet of
over ono hundred and fifty ships. Simultane-
ously every vessel manned Its sides and mill
tary tops, with the exception of tho Siamese
yacht which sent Its crow to the masts and
made picturesque display. The cannonading
was terrific. The foreign ships all used smoke
less powder. but the entire British feet clung to
black powder, SO that Eve minutes after the
noise began heavy curtain Of smoke hung over
the wator and for ten minutes obscured vessels
100 yards distant.
The reviewing fleet came within sight OF the
frst ships about 2:15 o'clock. The procession
was piloted by tho Trinity yacht Irene, followed
shortly afterward by the antiquated but still
scrviceablo royal yacht Victoria and Albert, on
which were the Prince and Princess Of Wales,
Empress Frederick, the Duke and Duchess Of
York. tho Duke Of Coburg, and the Duke of
Connaught
The rest Of the procession was composed OF tho
royal yacht Alberta, tho chartered steamer
Carthage, on which were the representatives Of
the crowned heads Of Europe and other distin-
guished visitors, including the Indian princes in
yachts Elm. Enchantress, and Fire Queen,
the latter having on board the Commandcr-in-
Chief. Admiral Sir Nowoll Salmon; the Wilson
liner Eldorado. carrying the Corps Dipomatique
and the Colonial Premiers; tho Arundel Castle
with tho Lord Mayor and Corporation of the
city Of London, the Danube with tho members
Of tho House of Lords tho Parramatta and
Goorkha with tho Admiralty guests, and the
Campania with the members of the House Of
Commons.
As tho royal yacht passed each ship tremen-
dous cheers were given by tho crews, and the
bands played "God Save the Queen" Tho en-
thusiasm on these Eve miles of water was really
marvellous. Tho fotilla camo gracefully down
through tho lines Of warships, and the sceno was
one Of unparalleled beauty and animation.
OF all the great ships, the Campania seemed
the greatest. She looked twice the size OF huge
b,ttleships like the Majestic, Repulse, or Reso-
luton. which are really much larger: and when
she finally drew away from the feet and took
her passengers out for short trip. she was
saluted by tremendous cheers from one end Of
| the line to the other. far as she was visible.
There was a slight haze, and this combined
with the mass of smoke, made 1t difficult to dis
| tinguish objects at great distance. But after
short time the sun shone through the clouds
and for the frst time in the day the entire fleet
| could be discerned.
| 1t was picture ono can mover forget. Tho
waters Of the famous anchorage glittored like
broad sheet of silver under tho rays Of the
brilliant sun; and against this the wonderful
feet stood sharply outlined and distinct.
The royal procession won't slowly through the
several lines, and finally. after 4 o'clock. came
to anchor opposite the flagship Renown. As the
anchor dropped. the flagship hoisted signal,
| and o roar Of cheers from 10000 sailors was
heard from one end Of the feet to the other.
| This was loudly echoed by the excursion steam.
ers. yachts, tags, and other vessels outside the
lines. In fact, the cheering never seemed to ter
inmate from the beginning Of tho day to the end
but. strange to say. not single whistle was
blown.
The Prince of Wales went on hoard the Re
nown, and. soon after, the water became alive
with steam pnnaces carrying Admirals and
Captains to be presented. This ceremony over
the Princes yacht returned to Portsmouth
cheered all the way by the crews, who again
manned the sidee
The lines were now thrown open to outside
steamers, and soon the great procession wen
through the fleet A faint idea of what this wal
may be had II one conjures up view Of yach
race in New York harbor. Only here there wer,
probably three times as many ships OF all kinds
Every large steamship company had one or TIVE
of Its vessels. and steam yachts were without
number.
AS II by programme. rain began failing imme
diately after the Victoria and Albert left tn,
lines, and 1t came down in bucketfuls. TIL,
thunder and lightning was terrific and drove al
the great excursion ships to the docks TO un
load their passengers. At o'clock the anchor
ago was absolutely destitute OF visiting craft
and tho whole scene was lamentable. Thou
sands Of persons rushed away from Portsmouth
Immediately on landing. thinking It hopeless 4
"a
believed would be postponed owing to the rain
But promptly at o'clock. again as II according
to programme, the rain ceased, and at q sigma
tho vast feet flashed forth into vast sea lights
Where in the aytime had been flags rainboy
fashion, there were now electric lights. Tn
great, sombro ironclads were surrounded b.
glistening girdles OF brilliant lights from TOP
mast to topmast, and low down on the water
edge while the whole bosom of tho strait. from
Spithead to Osborne. appeared as though CLEAN
ing with fire.
Undoubtedly the finest show was made by tn
Brooklyn. which had an immense "V. II. 1887
OF In electric lights stretched amdships an
alongside the word Brooklyn" She was fairl
alive with light
Great pictures OF the Queen hung between tn
tunnels OF the big battleships. God Save tn
Queen" was q favorite and fervent electrical
lighted wish among the cruisers. and q hand
some display was made by tho Russians an
Frenchmen. searchlights were not permitted
% that only the outlines of the vessels wer
seen, and this mado tho contrast to former 1
luminations OF this sort all tho moro marked.
The effect was wonderful and beautiful.
was q veritable Fete dc Venise.
The illuminations continued until midnight
when. on a signal from the feet commandel
every superfuous light went out as II turne
of by a single switch. And thus came to q
end tho greatest and most remarkable nava
spectacle the world has ever known.