The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-02-03
French War Vessel
is Visited by
Crowds.
TARS PROUD OF
HER ARMAMENT
Complimentary Concert Given
by the Mission
Band.


center of attraction in the harbor
- yesterday, it's futtering colors
and general air of festivity, betokening
visitors day. The cruiser, the finest
French warship now in the Pacific, was
given over to the admiration of visit
ors who We're permitted To inspect it
from bow TO stern and from bridge to
hold, the officers and sailors vying with
one another in their efforts to show to
them what a fine ship she really is.
From early morn until evening the Off
GERS and men were busy. In the morn
ing the officers and a large compile
ment of the crew went ashore to attend
mass at the cathedral. At noon the
vessel was honored by the presence of
the Bishop of Panopolis and Consul
Vizzavona, who were Captain Bar
naud's special guests at luncheon, to-
gether with a few of the priests of the
French Mission. AL 3 o'clock the Cath
Ollie Mission band went aboard and for
three hours played enlivening marches.
waltzes and French airs, and otherwise
added to the enjoyment of visitors who
were allowed the privileges of the
cruiser from until g.
Captain Barnaud and most of his Of |
ficers were on the vessel and looked af- |
ter a number of especially invited per- |
sons who were the wardroom guests. |
The quarterback was the only portion |
of the ship not given over to the in |
spectiOn of the visitors in general, |
Captain Barnaud having reserved it for
his own Sunday guests. From the hour
when the ship was thrown open to the
public the decks were crowded with |
curious people They came in launches
and in shore boats and occasionally |
saiIboat luffed up under the gangway |
to leave a visitor.
The sailors and marines were at ease
during the afternoon, except for a few |
warship's great guns. They wore their
cartridge belts and some were armed |
The reservation of the quarterback was
plainly demonstrated by the presence
of a couple of marines who maintained
strict guard there. The visitors were
allowed the privilege of peering into
the brains of the cruiser, the pro-
tected coming tower which is the cap
tain's station during an engagement |
This circular room, protected by heavy
steel plates, with long, four-inch Sits
tubes electric devices and electric
switch tables, with the Geographic code
marked thereon in raised metal and nu-
merous other wheel-room paraphernal-
ia by which the Captain maneuvers his
vessel with the greatest ease. A small
brass wheel which moves with the
touch of a finger, controls the steering
gear 1t is from this little room that
the cruiser would be directed on its err
xx-Ia he
ram at the bow is to be put to practical
use. The steel PROV. weighing tons
and tempered TO a fine edge, directed
toward an opposing warship and pro-
PEELED by the full force of the powerful
engines of the Protet, is sufficient TO
rend the steel sides of any with which
it comes in contact and send it to the
bottom, if the opportunity but offers
The entire vessel shows the spick
and span discipline maintained by
Captain Barnaud. The metal parts not
concealed by paint glisten under the
daily polishings done by the sailors.
and the magnificent guns. the finest
types turned out by the armories of the
French government, call for the adj
miration of all who gaze upon and peer
through the long rifled barrels. The
old-fashioned cutlasses. once the most
dangerous of weapons in the hands of
the sailors who responded to the order
of .Boarders away" are still main
tanned on the Protet, and are racked in
unique designs near the batteries
Stands of muskets for the marines are
placed handily in the passageways
leading to the wardroom and quarters
of the officers. Small field pieces, used :
by the navy in connection with landing ,
parties are placed here and there near
open gang ports. evidently in position
to be transferred to the ships boats by .
the shortest route possible.
The visitors were much interested in ,