The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-28
BRITISH WARSHIP IN PORT.
HER MAJESTY's CORVETTE CORDE-
LA VISITING SAVANNAH.

Came Up the River All Hlght. But
Her Commander Says He VIII Not
BE Able to visit Charleston for
Lack of Water on the Bar-The
First British Warship TO Visit Sa-
vannah in Many Ncars-A Hearty
Welcome Extended officers and
Men.
Her British Majesty's ship the Cordelia,
came up from Tybce yesterday morning
and anchored at the wharf Of the Georgia
Lumber Company between Bull and Dray
ton streets. As the first British warship to
enter the port of Savannah in many years
she was naturally an object of great in
terest and the wharf was crowded all day
long with visitors anxious to see what a
british warship is like.
The officers were very liberal in allowing
visitors aboard. and hundreds made the in
spection. The Afro-Americans were quite
prominent among the visitors being in the
proportion of about three to one. Having
just come from the West India station,
however, black faces were no novelty to
the men of the Cordelia. The bluejackets
were very courteous in showing the visi-
tors about the ship and explaining to them
the workings of the big guns and other
things of interest.
The Cordela is a good, stout ship, but
is not a fair sample of the British navy,
being one of the older vessels of the navy.
She is what as is known as a corvette, very
similar to a cruiser, not armored, but car
ryng a heavy armament. The ship is 9 46O
-
men. She is not a training ship, as has
been enormously reported, but is regular
ly assigned to the British North Ameri-
can and West Indian squadron. Having
been on tour of duty with the squadron
in the West Indian waters. she is now
cruising northward to join the portion of
the British fleet off Newfoundland and
casually stopping in at American ports
on the way north.
Her captain, the Hon. Maurice Bourke,
is a commander of long service in the
British navy, and when with the New
foundland fleet ranks as commodore. The
Cordela is not a fast flying ship, as her
best speed is only fraction over twelve
knots. Consequently, she is not in the
same class with the modern cruisers. She
is equipped, however, TO do some hard
lighting whenever the occasion may de-
6-inch breech-loading rifle guns, besides
ten quick-fring guns of the Nordeufeldt
and Gardiner types. There Is some light
artillery on board used for drilling tie
men on land, and a full equipment of
small arms.
The officers of the Cordelia are as fol-
lows
Captain-The Hon. Maurice Bourke.
Navigating Officer-Mr Lockyer.
First Tieufqnant-Mr AIlgOod,
Gunnery Lieutenant-Mr. Dean.
Lieutenant-Corbett.
Lieutenant-Preston
Sub Acknowledgement.
Chief EngineeT-Mr Green.
Engineer-Mr. Moorsehead.
Surgeon--Dr. Mcnamara.
Chaplain-Mr. Francis, NJ. A.
Lieutenant-Morgan r. NJ. L. l., com
handing marines.
Capt Bourke and his officers came
ashore shortly after his arrival here. In
vitations had already been extended them
before their arrival here and they were
entertained during the day at the clubs
and at private residences.
The Cordelia is just from st. Augustine
and Palm Beach, where, according to all
reports, both officers and men had a very
enjoyable time. The vessel will remain
here until Friday, when she win depart
for Port Royal The Cordelia viii not
visit Charleston. Capt. Bourke had in
tended doing so, but having some fear as
10 the depths of water on the bar he tee-
graphed the British consul at Charles ton
for information and received reply yes
terday stating that there is only % feet of
water on the bar at Charleston As the
Cordelia draws q feet, Capt Bourke de-
cided that IL would not be safe 10 under
take to carry her across the Charleston
bar, and he accordingly announced last
q Wis
Charleston. The Cordela came up the
Savannah river to her mooring practi-
cally under the city exchange, without
the least difficulty.
Capt Bourke was asked if he found any
difficulty in getting up to Savannah. and
replied: mo. 1 found plenty of water on
the bar and in the Savannah river"
All the indications are that Capt Bourke
and his men win have no reason to regret
their visit to Savannah. They win be well
taken care of while here. The sailors
and marines, who were ashore yesterday
seemed TO be enjoying themselves in a
quiet way, and made many local acquaint-
ances. The men will be given shore leave
to-day, and will have a chance to acqueint
themselves with the city. The British
bluecoats. the sailors, have practically the
same uniform and in appearance very
much resemble Uncle Sans bluejackets.
In fact, except for the lettering on their
caps, Ii would be hard to distinguish the
men of the two navies, should a United
States warship happen in port. The ma
rines, however are very easily distinguish
ed by their red jackets and jaunty Scotch
caps. Being half soldier and half sailor
the marines wear the red coat of the Brit
ish army and the blue trousers of he
navy.
The members of the Savannah Naval
Reserve are taking quite an interest IN
the Cordelia and her crew, and many MEM
bers of the reserve were aboard the ship
yesterday. inspecting the guns and get-
ting pointers from the bluejaokets. In
fact, the naval reserves and the bluejack-
cts showed disposition TO fraternize. and
IL is likely that a mutual exchange of
courtesies will result.