Evening journal., 1901-02-02
REMOVAL OF QUEENS BODY
FROM COWES TO PORTSMOUTH
First There Was Solemn Pageant On Her Beloved Isle
OF Wight Which Was Followed by Burst
Of Naval Glory

all the decorations and medals. scan
ned the Cowos shore docks through
their glasses. An occasional brillinat
burst Of sunshine showed tens OF
thousands Of spectators, subjects Of the
dead queen, assembled to witness her
last passage from Cowes to Ports
mouth.
Shortly before 3 o'clock white smoke
broke from the Majestics sides, and,
a second later, a report cracked over
the harbor and echoed to the hill, an
nouncing the starting of the Alberta
from Trinity pier. From ship to ship
the salute was passed down the line
Each vessel of the feet was firing
minute guns. They all employed their
shore side batteries. The sound was
that Of a great battle.
The funeral feet was just well under
way when Il came abreast of the press
boat. Eight torpedo boat destroyers
crept ahead The pairs Of torpedo boat
dostroyers were about 100 yards apart
with four boat lengths between stern
and bows. Then, a quarter Of mile
behind, but seeming across the water
but a stones throw followed the royal
yacht Alberta. At her stern stood a
tall officer, uniformed in dark blue,
alone, as motionless as part of the ship.
The after deck of the yacht was rooted
with white awning, and beneath the
awning, through glasses, could be seer
the catafalque, of royal purple and
ruby lines, on which rested the coffin.
Four officers in sombre uniforms stood
at the four corners of the catafalque
with their faces turned towards the
ships. A few other persons could be
seen clustered on the Alberta's deck.
AS the funeral yacht moved slowly
past the decks Of the warships were
crowded with their crews. They were
all manned to their full complement.
The sailors, in blue, with straw hats
formed a solid mass along the decks
OF each ship, standing with their arms
at "attention." On the after decks the
marines were stationed. The fighting
tops and guns were also manned. The
officers stood out in showy, full dress
array.
The band of each ship took up the
funeral march when the Alberta came
abreast of her, and the spectators or
all the other craft took off their hats
Following the Alberta trailed along
FIVE other yachts, at regular intervals
First was the Victoria and Albert. She
carried the royal mourners, also the
relatives or officials who followed the
coffin. King Edward and Emperor
William were chief among them, bu'
from the observation boats they wert
the only group not recognizable. A few
scarlet coats could be seen, with ladies
in the deepest mourning. and on tho
upper deck the queens Indian attend
ants were distinguishable by theii
white turbans.
In the wake Of the Victoria and Al
bert Emperor Williams yacht Hohen-
zollern loomed up. Threee Other
yacSts came in single file behind. Nexi
came the admiralty yacht Enchantress
smaller, and then a little Trinity House
yacht. Finally came another vessel
black torpedo boat destroyer
The guns of each warship ceased fir
ing when the Alberta had gone by and
the marines reversed arms" But
/ they and all the crews remained al
their stations while the feet steamers
from the shores, their decks solid
masses of black, crowded with thous.
J ands of the late queens subjects, raised
| their anchors and followed outside the
line of warships.
When the Alberta entered the har.
Dor, with the minute guns in the forts
sounding, the bells of all the churches
of the city tolling, the ancient frigat,
Victory, moored there, fired a salute
from muzzle leaders. The marines
manning her guns stood at arms. Tn,
admirals band played a dirge.
The Alberta was moored in Claronc,
yard and guard of 100 marine,
marched on board. During the nigh
the quarter deck. where the bic
rested, was lighted by electricity
Conspicuous among the officers OF
duty aboard were Vice Admiral Sey
mour, who distinguished himself il
the China campaign, and Capt Lamb
ton, of South African celebrity.
The kings yacht was made fast Il
buoy in mid stream, with the Ho
henzollern lying near. The royal per
sonages and their suites dined on boar,
and passed the night there. Stean
launches, with armed guards. patrollet
around both yachts all night
The landing of the royal mourner
this forenoon. and the removal of tn
body of the dead queen to the train. {,
be borne to London, was a solemn an,
impressive spectacle.
nTTUNVsC nRUNUmuDu VHVIn