The times., 1898-03-21
VIEWED THEVESUVIUS.
Thousands Of Neutrality-suspicious. Wis
fIed the Navy Yard Yesterday

Thousands Of patriotic Washington-
ians visited the navy yard yesterday
and looked at the dynamite cruiser
Nesuvias. Hundreds Went on board of
the vessel, but hundreds more were dis
appointed, for the crowd was so great
that il was impossible that all should
board her
From O'clock in the morning Eighth
Street southeast resembIed Broadway
ThronEs of people were going toward
the navy yard in one continuous and
unbroisen stream Not for years, the
officials at the yard said, have so many
people been inside Of the gates in one
day.
Down where the Nesuyius was moor
ed, the dock was crowded with anxious
men ana women who all desired to go
on board. The crush was so great thai
il became necessary to allow certain
number of people To cross the gang
plank and board the vessel. Uncle
Sans tars meantime holding the rest
Of the gCod-natured crowd in check
At the expiration OF half an hour those
on the ship would so ashore and others
take their places on the ship.
1t was a patriotic crowd. There were
men from all walks of life. The Gov
eminent clerk was much in evidence.
and mechanics and artisans touched e.
bows with the men or women who are
employed in the departments. All
seemed 10 take a patriotic pride in the
fact that the American Government
owns such . vessel as the dynamite
cruiser, and class or political Gistinc-
uons We're lost in the contemplation of
the monster guns which could play
such great havoc with any city the
officers of the Nesuvius might be or
deTed To lombard.
Pretty girls looked into the mouths
Of the guns and drew back in alright
Patriotic, indignant men pattod them
lovingly. and expressed a hope that
soon they might be belching forth de-
struction and ruin for the city Of Ha-
Nana, or, possibly, some Spanish YES
sci The crew seemed to regard the
crowd as being a little too anxious to
see what they termed with professional
sang froid, just an ordinary little
craft" but withal they seemed not
ayerse 10 the adulation paid to them
by the ladies'
The men in uniform received all Of
the attention of the fair sex, ard many
an angry swain looked blackly at some
gossipy blue-jacket. wishing heartily,
no doubt, that the vessel might be or
dered to sea on the instant.
One thing noticeable was the absence
Of what is called the upper class"
Not more than half a dozen private
carriages entered the yard during the
afternoon. 1t was a crowd of the peO-
pie; composed Of men and women who
have the best interests Of their coun-
try at heart. 1t was composed, par
TALLY, Of the class Of men who, in war
would bear the brunt Of its horrors;
who would DO the most Of the physical
fighting
Until the yard was closed at night,
there was no abatement in the crowds
going to and coming from it. Penn
sylVania Avenue cars did a business
such as is usually done only on inau-
guration day. Each car was not only
crowded, but was jammed Boys hung
onto the window ledges, and men rode
on the guards Of the platforms. The
horses, which are still in use from the
Capitol to the navy yard, had all they
could do TO draw the heavy loads, and
after the cars had been emptied at the
gate. the rush for seats for the home
ward trip was Stupendous.
Withal, il was n memorable day for
the Washington navy yard, and for
Washington patriots. 1t served TO
show in a small way, that the people
are united in a common Admiration for
and love Of the American Navy. and
also that they are only waiting for ac-
ton against Spain to give vent to
burst of Indignation which Will aston
iLh ' l7a old