The Washington times., 1902-08-17

tnOugn IN front OF us the line was nelu
by the Prince George, Hannibal, Jupiter,
and Majestic, and Immediately behind
the Trafalgar. Nile, Royal Sovereign.
and other monsters of from $4,000 to
1900 tons, were any ships of the Cano-
Tus class, the newest and best type OF
battleship, represented.
Perhaps two of the most interesting
vessels of all this great fleet were a
couple next to the Mars in the outside
line which flew the striking flag of ia
pan. the Asema, of 9.700 tons, and the
Tagasaga, of 4,1S0 tons. which swung
to their anchors looking every bit as
smart and able as their neighbors, which
were the most powerful of the British
warships in the fleet assembled today.
In that fleet there were vessels built
when Britain's recent ally, Japan, had
not dreamed of a navy. and had not
known even the elements of Western
civilization.
Before the Review.
To return. however, to events aboard
the Mars. Luncheon over, there was a
short interval during which the band
again showed Its familiarity with Ameri-
can airs, and especially rag time. This
was all before the bugles blew and the
whistles piped, and pad-pad around the
deck came the sound OF several hun
dred bluejackets running to their sta
tions to man ship. About 2:30 O'Clock
another bugle blew, and from the top
most next TO the maindeck the bluejack-
cts assumed the familiar position of
arms on each others shoulders.
Then the flagship fred royal sa
lutte, and the whole fleet followed, every
ship firing twenty-one times. Pres
emily one heard coming over the water
at first family. then louder. as the ves-
sells near us took their turn, the strains
of God, Save the King by the bands.
followed By three hearty cheers as the
royal yacht. following the Trinity yacht,
passed each ship.
As the Victoria and Albert passed ne
Mars the King could be distinctly seen
standing at salute. dressed in the uni
form of an admiral. with the sash and
garter. By his side was the Queen,
dressed in white
For two hours the royal yacht went
up and down the lines. finally anchoring
alongside the battleship ROYAL Sover-
eign, and next but one to the Japan
ese Asama. All this time the ships
were manned. and when the final stcaii,s
of God. Save the King" and the last
cheer died away, the bugle blew 'dis-
miss" and all weat to tea.
Dancing and Visits.
accompanied by much singing. card
playing, and cigarettes. II was soon
over. and the band again worked hard
while merry parties danced quadrilles
on the quarterback. Meanwhile the ad-
mirals of the fleet went to visit the
King on the royal yacht. AS each OF
these passed, the Mars heard a musi-
cal salute from band and buglers, while
a company of marines presented arms. u
After the admirals left the royal Yacht
the captains of the various ships visited
his majesty, receiving as they passed
the various ships a modest salute. AT
sunset bugles were heard on every shin
and as eager rivalry was displayed in
ship, each one being stripped
of her huttering pennants in an incred:-
bly, short time
BY O'Clock nearly all the guests had
departed. The clouds which the firing of
salutes had brought down looked
threatening and shortly afterward
storm broke with vivid flashes of light
ming, sharp rolls of thunder and a
deluge of rain. It came down in sheets.
To so on deck to see the illumination
meant wet feet and wet everything.
Nothing but oilskins could protect one
against such a'deluge, but the sight re-
paid one for the wetting
Tluminations in the Rain.
just at 10 O'Clock the flagship sent up
a rocket. Then after a moment the
whole feet, which had been showing no
lights and had been invisible in the
darkness. sprang as If by magic into the
gloom. II would take a wonderful pen
to give the faintest idea of the fairy |
scene.
Outlined by the electric lights one saw
q fairly feet which did not seem in the |
slightest degree real. For a hour this |
vision lasted, convincing one of it's real |
lty, and then as suddenly it disappeared. |
the royal yacht alone remaining lighted |
and visible, except few private yachts.
conspicuous among which was Sir |
Thimas Lipton's Erin
Play of Searchlight.
Then came another fairy scene. For |
nearly an hour the gigantic search
lights of every ship in green, yellow.
white and red. played here and there,
weaving pattern of light which illumi- |
mated the whole roadstead and mingled |
the various lines. Then came the final |
royal salute and the fleet retired TO rest |
after an evertful days celebration