Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-11-18
French Cruisers are Now Anchor.
ed Off SewaII's Point,
TAKING ON PocAH0NTAs coAl
Two vsrshlps of Our Sister Rspaoiio Cast
Anchor Early Saturday Morning and ars
Filling Their Bunkers WITH nlaek pia-
monds From Norfolk visited by French
vice-consui--Norfoils g Atlantic rsrnai.
nal Company Extends Courte siss-yyna
be Visited by Board of Trade To-day.

The magnificent French cruisers La
Cecille and La Suchet. under command
OF Admiral Richard. arrived OF saw
aus Point at $50 o'clock yesterday
morning. The ships came down from
Washington. where they had been for
some days. and shortly after dropping
anchor the Pocahontas Coal Company
sent down barges and the work OF
coaling began at once. The French
1aekies got at the work of filling the
bunkers with will. and soon the
famous black diamonds were going
down into the holds at q rapid rate.
"CoalinS ship entails a lot of hard
and disagreeable work, but so soon as
the bunkers are full a transformation
takes place. Decks are washed down
with the fire hose and thoroughly
scrubbed, SO that VIXEN visiting day
comes around. the guests of the ships
see everything clean. The brasses are
polished until they glisten in the sum
light. and the murderous guns are Civ
ing rubbing until they appear more
as objects of admiration than destruc-
ton.
FINE LOOKING CREWS.
The crews of La Cecille and La
Suchet are fine-looking body of men.
They are all sturdy chaps and have
the appearance of fine gentlemen.
They are above the average class OF
sailormen, and their rudy COM
pleXions bespeak the healthy life they
lead. The officers are as courteous as
who may visit the ships are sure OF
fine treatment.
FRENCH CONSUL CALLS.
Col Walter H. Taylor. the French
| Vice Consul here, paid aavisit to Ads
| niiral Richard and the meeting was
quite pleasant one. Lieutenant Mole.
aid to Admiral Cotton Commandant
OF the Norfolk navy yard. yesterday
paid u visit to Admiral Richard, rank
Ing officer of the fleet, and exchanged
courtesies The French Admiral will
return the call and visit the local navy
yard, where he will receive all the
honors due his high rank.
WORK OF CoALING.
The work OF coaling went on all day
yesterday and part or last night. OPP
erations were suspended to-day, and
the work of conling will be resumed
tomorrow morning. The coaling will
probably be concluded Monday night
Admiral Richard does not know ex-
actly how long the cruisers will re-
MAN, but every chance VIII be given
the citizens to visit the ships.
HOW TO SEE THEM.
The cruisers are lying about half
mile Oft the pier at Sewelrs Poifit. and
the Norfolk and Atlantic Terminal
Company, whose road runs from Nor.
folk directly to the pier, Will to-day
handle the crowds that will so down to
Xiew the ships. The railroad company
will give an excellent service, and their
cars will transport passengers rapidly
and promptly. That thousands of peo-4
pie Will so to Sewell's Point to-day
there can be no doubt. The cruisers are
we'll worth seeing and every one should
avail themselves of the opportunity.
The courtesies of this line were yes
terday extended to Admiral Richard
and the officers OF the fleet
FIRST. SINCE THE WAR.
These vessels are the first to be called
off Sewell's Point since the war and Is
an entirely new experiment. These
French vessels are the first to visit
these waters since the famous naval
rendezvous, when the navies of the
world rode at anchor In Hampton
Roads preparatory to sailing for New
York. where the great naval parade
took place. This was prior to the opens
ing OF the Worlds Fair at Chicago.
EXTENDS CoURTEsIEs.
The Board OF Trade and Business
Mems Association, besides leading citt-
Zens. Will this morning at II o'clock go
TO Sewelrs Point on a special tug pro-
vided by Mr.. e. T.sLamb, of the South-5
ern Railway Company, On behalf OF
the association the rooms here will ha 4
rendered for the use of the French o ms
GERS while In the city. The admiral. hsa {
staff and officers. should they come &c
Norfolk. will receive royal wclcome,
and it is quite the proper thing. for
at other cities they have been layishly
entertained. Norfolk Will sustain her
reputation as hospitable city.
Capital Punishment Wanted.
tEy Telegraph to virsinian-P i!oty