Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-11-20

allS Point Sunday over the Norfolk and
Atlantic Terminal railway to view the
French warships, La Cecille and La
Suchet. which are anchored about a
mile off the pier. The magnificent SER
vice of the railroad company was gene
rally commented on. and not a hitch or
wait occurred. since the road is double
tracked from end to end. and the an
noying delays We're dispensed with.
OFF TO THE SHIPS.
The trim little steamer Norfolk-on-
the Roads. which Is also owned by the
railroad company. was at the pier TO
meet each train and promptly steamed
away for Old Point. cruising between
the white and gray monsters peace
fully riding at anchor in the waters
which are orldfamed.
La Cecille. the flagship of Admiral
Richard. lay nearest to the pier. and
from her after truck flew the pennaut
of the ranking officer of the fleet She
is vessel about the same size as the
Reina Mercedes, which Uncle sam S
tars sent to the bottom of Santiago
harbor. La Cecile, with her sharp
| ram. which is characteristics of all
French ships. and her torpedo tube
| plainly visible rode ma jestically at am
| Choir her death-dealing guns protrud-
! ing from sponsors on either side and
| Frances tri-colored flag flying from
| bow to stern.
NOT GRACEFUL AS OURS.
La Cecille. while u magnificent vessel
| of her class and no doubt an ugly GUS
toner i'll u battle, is not as graceful as
our American cruisers. She has not
the lines of our ships ana the general
appearance cannot compare with such
! vessels as the Brooklyn or Raleigh
our own built Raleigh, one OF the Man
la-famed fleet. To the stern of La
| Cccille there lay La Suchet. a three
stacker, sullen-looking in her lead color
| and with guns briStlinE from every
quarter The passengers on the steamer
eyed the visitors with admiration and
all expressed themselves as highly sat
| iSfied With the trip.
FRENCH TAR SAID I'VE MON
SIEUR."
When the party in which was the
| Nireinian-P Pilot reporter landed on the
| Old Point pier. there was little steam
launch from the flagship which had
| brought the mail orderly ashore. The
French jaclties sat in the launch await
ing the orderly's return and the crowd
pushe down to the landing, casting
curious glances at the French sailors
| The latter returned the stares One
young man, who said he had a knowl-
edge OF French, sang out to the engi-
neer. Franchise" The latter smiled
and replied, I'VE, we. Monsieur" and
the crowd laughed. This exchange of
leasantries, though short, was enjoyed
by Frenchmen and Americans.
THE BOOMING OF GUNS
in the distance announced the arrival
of some distinguished visitor. He
proved to be Admiral Cotton, COM
mandant of the Norfolk Navy-yard.
who had just boarded La Cecille. and
he was received With all the honors
due his high rank. The exchange of
greetings between Admrals Cotton and
Richard was of the most pleasant ma
ture. and when Admiral Richard yes
terday made a call on Admiral Cotton
| at the naVy-yard he was received with
all the honors that this government be-
slows on visitor of his high rank.
THE TRIP WAS ABANDONED.
The committee appointed by the
Board of Trade Saturday night to WISH,
Admiral Richard Sunday and extend &c
him ana his staff the use of the board 6
rooms, should they come To Norfolk
| did not go to Sewall's Point as eX-
pected. The hour of the departure was
| TO have been IL o'clock and the tue
| Louisville, rendered by Mr.. Il. r. Lamb
agent of the Southern railway, was al
! the wharf dressed in all her bunting,
| but the committee came not. Mr. L.
| IL. Dawes. the boards secretary. and
NF. w. i. Anderson were the only ones
| present. besides two newspaper men.
| The trip was abandoned Admiral
Richards. however received a letter OF
! invitation written Saturday by Mr.
| Dawes.
TAKING OUR COAL.
The two ships are taking about o5C
! tons of Pocahontas coal, which is SUN
| cient to last them until their next ston
| which will be at the Danish West In
dies. on their way home. Pocahontas
coal has long been used by the French
and other navies with good result. The
cruisers will probably weigh anchor
Wednesday oY Thursday, although Adj
| m!ral Richard has not definitely do
cided on the departure
The report sent out from Newport
| News that the cruisers were anchored
off that place, is erroneous. They ore
| directly off Sewall's Point which &c
nearly a dozen miles from Newport
News.
C.. e. O. Railway CrffJoo - ns