The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-06-03
THE GUNBOAT NASHVILLE AT
PROVIDENCE.


Last Sunday is day long to be re-
membered by the citizens of our parish,
and /, was much regrctied that the
guuboat did not arrive on some other
day when almost the population ofthe
entire parish would have come III 10
take a look at Uncle Sans fighter.
The Belle of the Bends came TO our
landing about six o'clock aud promptly
at 9 the beautiful steamer with her
flags mp and floating TO the breeze, was
10 start up the river TO meet the Nash
Vile and escort her back TO Providence.
Promptly at that hour. the boat pulled
out with Brooks fine band PLAYING and
her cabin and guards filed with a
happy and anxious crowd 10 meet the
gunboat. When in. the IIomochitsa
chute and near Mayersville the Nash
vile was cited aud the large crowd
commenced to get excited for fear that
she would pass US on the outside. The
Belle made the landing al Mayersville,
taking on board several ladies and
gentlemen. aud then turned her bow
down stream and shot ofi like q grey
hound. Away we went for the main
chansel, and rs soon as the naval vessel
came in sight tho Bellies whistle COM
menced 10 shrek its welcome, aud she
kept il up until her return 10 town.
The pretty and trim little vessal OF
Uncle Sans gracefully rounded to and
when the huge anchor wac thrown
overheard the detachment of the
Vicksburg Warren Light Artillery
gave a salute Of twenty-one guns. but
it being against Uncle Sans laws TO
fire gun on Sunday except in duty,
the salute vac not returned until the
next morning, when il was done
promptly al s O'Clock, upon her flag
being floated 10 the breeze
I, did not take long for the barge to
be brought along side of the Nashville
and when The limos were tied, the re-
ception committee, headed by its chair
man, DR.. f. K. Bernard, went on board
and were courteously received by the
officers. In few well chosen words,
the Doctor thanked Captain Maynard,
for stopiug at Providence for he pleas.
ure of her citizens, aud extended the
freedom of our towu to him, his
officers aud seameu.
| A little after O'Clock the Belle made
her first trip ana from thon on to
O'Clock t.l..ere were fully two thousand
! people who took advantage TO crosi
lover aud inspect the Nashville. Tit
officers aud crew were very courteous
and each one of them had groupe IL
i Toe taking them to every part of thu
trim little vessel, aud those who dit
not see everything on her have onl'
themselves 10 blame.
i The committee who bad everything
IN charge carried out their plans t
perfection. 1t was no easy task to q
, it, and they should have the praise>c
, evory one for the successful manner j
which everything turned out.
Among other thinga, we saw on
gun which Is especially important an
. remarkable. 1t was the gun by whic
,. the first sho, was fred in the Spanish
American war. This gun 10 a A ire
bore, not near so large, as some Of II
guns on other Yessels, but nevertheless
8 It looks Just for the world Ike
: means business. This is one Of ii
largest guns Of the Nashville as 81
has none above q four inch, thoug
: she has several of that bore, and
0 great number Of smaller guns. III
!. Q 1-2 inch guns were used in firing hi
8 salute here. The Nashville 10 not
o old vessel, as she was built in 1873
;, She does not bear many visible sigl
of ever having seen much service
battle. Her armor is only half Inc
thick and is not designed to check WI
= missiles Of any great Aize, but rather
. allow them 10 pass through, wisho'
u meeting much obstruction. They mi
o kill man or two but can do no vel
r great damage to the boat. The vess
e Is 2S2 feet long and has two Il
# amok estacks. Her crew consists
1865 mon aud IL officers.
The reception TO the officers at mig
e at the club rooms was an elega
e affair, over one hundred attending Il
:, banquet. DR.. Bernard, as toastmast
IT In his usual style, delivered the tos
v of welcome, and then introduced lilo
;. C.S. WHY, whose toast to CAPITA
"a Maynard, who knew his father 81
family. was pronounced the best of I
evening. Hon. j. E. Ransdell spoke
Al cOur Navy" which was approprla
= and well chosen for such an occasie
= The banquet broke up at IL o'cfe
= aud there were many handshakes
= the gallant Captain aud the 9th
~ officers, aud all left happy over :
IL success of the gathering.
:. At ~ O'Clock sharp on Monday I
y Nashville turned her PROV towar
the gulf, and TINS ended the visit
tho guuboat that fred tho first shot
Is the late war.
lie
"a Hellowl One case OF Yell