The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-05-23
ARRIVAL OF THE
REINA MERCEDES.
The Captured Warshp at Anchor Off
Old Point.
HUNDREDS VISITED HER SUNDAY
The Vessel Shows the Effect of Her
Ocean Bath and Bears Marks
of the Missiles from the
Guns of the Texas.

Chesapeake Bay and Hampton Roads
had "a lively appearance Sunday after
noon. water craft Of eyry description GO
ius back and forth from the various
points on the shore. The centre Of at
traction was the Spanish war vessel,
Rcina Mercedes. which dropped anchor
about o'clock I'm quarantine off Old
Point. just below the Zip Raps. Early in
the morning a government tug left the
navy yard and steamed out towards the
capos. and this fact gave rise TO the
general supposition that the arrival OF
The man-of-war was close at hand.
GREETED HER FIRST.
The first ones TO greet the Spanish
ship after 10 had entered Chesapeake Bay
was 90 party of gentlemen who were
cruising al the time ON board OF the
William a. Graves. one OF the vessels OF
the Virginia Pilot Association. Of which
Captain oscar T.. Edwards, OF Norfolk.
IS The president. The party consisted of
Nessrs Hal. w.. Bowman, secretary and
treasurer of the Virginia and North
Carolina Wheel Company; J.. J.. Cheat
WOOD Brown NJ Allen. and &. Werner.
OF this city. and Newton McAlpine. OF
Portsmouth. Captain IL. G.. lIcnly. mem
Der OF the Pilot Association. was at the
helm. Field glasses had been used AN
morning 20 discover the approach of the
trophy from the late Spanish-American
war 40 the earliest possible moment and
81 was nearing ! % clock when smoke nc q
FAR distance arising from the tugs,
annuonced the arrival of the long looked
for procession.
THE PROCESSION.
The Graves at once hove 90 and the
guests ON board OF her had "a good OPP
portunity of looking at the Spanish vessel
as she passed by. The Reina Mercedes
WAS in tow of two OF the wTecking tugs
OF the Merritt Wrecking Company the
J. j. Merritt at the head. and followed by
the tug Rescue. A large wreckng barge
Of the same company followed in tow of
the Spaniard. From the main mast Of
the vessel foated the private sign Of the
Merritt's black horse ON a white flag
while ON the mizzen mast was hOisted the
Stars and Stripes.
Ou the starbOard side the Reina Mer-
Ceies was accompanied by the $. r. Nor
gan. the new steamer of the Virginia and
North Carolina Fertilizer Company. Of
this city. The steamers that passed the
procession blew their whistles as "a salute.
and cheers went up from every vessel
IS a greeting % the Spaniard that for
five or six months had been at the bot
NNIN hN Allff NAf tN sraIIN4trN ] ne NfrNN4n
itself had IL rather rough appearance from
the effect of the wafer and the hun. as
we'll as it's two tunnels plainly showed the
effects Of tho guns of the Texas and Mas
sachusetts.
Upon arrival at quarantine station off
old Point. the hole hotlla arrived near
the two quarantine vessels jamestown
and Dagmar. and they viii remain there
in quarantine for five days. Late i'm the
afternoon. however, the ]. J. Merritt was
released and she Immediately steamed
out 10 sea. Captain wood. the pilot on
board Of the Rona Mercedes who also
had been detained was released at the
same time and he at once went 10 his
home in Norfolk.
ROWED AROUND HER.
Soon after the Graves returned 10 her
anchorage on the Chamhorln Hotel. at
old Point. "a row boat was lowered and
the party on board were rowed around
the Spanish war vessel 70 inspect her as
closely g. possible under the crcum-
stances There We're about dozen Anne
ricans ON board or the latter. who seemed
70 take good naturodly their fate Of being
excluded from the world for the next five
days
From tho very moment when the notilla
anchored sailing vessels and steam and
raptha launches began 10 bring out
crowds OF people who were anxious TO
have r look aft the Spanish vessel but.
az course. they had 90 keep off at the
distance prescribed hy the quarantine
Jaws. Even the new three-deck steamer
Niciiant of the Ocean View Railroad
Company. that plies between Willoughby
Spit and Old Point. carrying the pas
sengers of the Chesapeake and Ohio rail-
way 10 the seashore. went out OF her
course % give her passengers an oppor-
tunity 10 have "a glance at the new ac-
QUESTION Of Uncle Sans navy.