The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-17
Much Burning of Powder and a Hard
Day for JackIes Who Manned
Ships I'm the Kings Honor.
FINAL GREAT ROAR OF CHEERS
As THE ROYAL YACHT COMPLETED
ITS ROUND OF THE SHIPS.
illumination of the Fleet at Night De-
Iayed for an Hour by a Severe
Thunderstorm.

completed the programme Of the coronation
festivities to-day by reviewing the fleet for
the first time since his accession. From
spectacular point of view the assemblage
OF a hundred and odd war vessels in the
roadstead OF Spithead was a magnificent
show, but TO those looking beneath the
brilliant veneer of paint and polish, it was
evident that the fighting strength of the
feet was by means formidable. The
lines Of ships were thickly dotted with in
effectives. Among these may be mentioned
the third-class cruiser Calliope, OF Apia
fame. while others included such relics as
the battleships Devastation. Dreadnaught.
Camperdown and Edinburg which are
ciassed by some experts absolutely dan
gerous to their crews. while some of the
nominally effective fighters still armed
with muzzle leaders. 1t must be pointed
out, however. that the display represented
merely the home fleet, not a single vessel
having been withdrawn from a foreign sta
tion to participate in the pageant
The day opened fine. There was an i'm
mense influx of visitors. The waters of the
SOlent were covered with pleasure craft of
every variety. from the tiny canoe to the
big excursion steamer, and ever vantage
point on shore was covered with spectators
fleet broke out flags. and in the space of
minute the lines Of black hulls were trans
formed into parti-colored lanes OF futtering
bunting simultaneously the pennant of
Admiral Sir Charles HOLMAN. the command
er-in-chief at Portsmouth. was flung out
from the peak of the Royal Sovereign
which to-day acted as flagship of the fleet
Five other admirals' flags were also in view
IN different sections of the parade
The five lines in which the fleet were
moored was located midway between the
Isle of Wight and the mainland. Nearest
TO the Portsmouth shore were the special
service vessels and a few DISTINGUISHED
visiting vessels. headed by the conspicuous
white hull Of the japanese torpedo-boat de-
stroyer Asascio. The next line was made
up Of thirty-two British torpedo boat de-
stroyers Then there was a lire of cruisers
and gunboats. then a double line of battle
ships, and finally another line OF cruisers
Another parallel line. nearest to the Isle
OF Wight, was made UP Of foreign men-of-
war, lncluding two Japanese cruisers, the
Asama and Takasago. the italian armored
cruiser Carlo Alberto and the Portuguese
cruiser Don Carlos /. The precaution had
been taken TO compel the vessels present
TO burn smokeless coal but as the day
advanced a haze spread over the water and
scurrying small craft frequently disap-
peared in banks OF mist.
AT 1880 D. m. the lines of the fleet closed
the guard boats drove all unauthorized
crafts out OF the forbidden area and
promptly at o'clock the royal yacht Vic
toria and Albert. with King Edward
Queen Alexandra and other royal person.
ages on board. slowly got under way. This
movement was signaled by a gun shot
from the Royal Sovereign and thousands OF
tackies swarmed over the decks super-
structures and hShting tops and manned
ship In honor OF their approaching Maies-
ties. Then came the firing of the royal
salute OF twenty-one guns. Amid the
crash OF naval ordnance the Kings yacht
oGf ard
TIE royal yachts Osborne and Alberta and
three other vessels, escorted by a fotilla
OF torpedo-boat destroyers. The King who
wore the uniform of an admiral of the fleet
was surrounded by "A brilliant staff. As his
Majesty passed each ship the officers and
men cheered. and when the Victoria and
Albert, after traversing the lines took up
fresh moorings abreast of the ROval Sow
ereign, the whole fleet joined in final roar
or cheers Tor the King. who then per-
flag officers, including those of the foreign
ships. to join him on the royal yacht
Thousands of persons who were expect-
antIv Awaiting the ilIumination % ~ a.
off Spithead tonight not only were disap-
pointed but drenched and bedraggled by
sudden and violent thunderstOrms The
storm broke just as the signal for the Him
mination was given. and the crowds ashore
and afoat stampeded for shelter. The
storm continued for an hour. After that
the night was fair. and the inuminat ton
carried out and was witnessed bv
thousands who reappeared upon the shore
yacht. and a moment later the dim outline
of the yacht burst out I'm thousands of in
candescent lights. This was the signal for
the hundreds OF other ships. and as if by
magic. the entire fleet was Illuminated in
a great blaze of light The sudden change
from dusky shadows of battleships TO one
of electric brilliancy had a startling effect
on the crowds. and they made manifest
their delight by rounds of cheers The
lines OF tie tunnels, masts and upper decks
OF the ship were outlined in mellow glow
Ing lines. and the lagships by a clear, pale
light mast-high. The brilliant lights of
the merchant ships and pleasure crafts
added 10 the splendor of the maritime fete
simultaneously hundreds OF public and prf-
vate buildings ashore were Illuminated
while an imposing display Of fireworks,
varied in color and form. gave fresh inter-
est 10 the carnival.
After an hours display the inCandescent
bulbs on the ships were extinguished and
were succeeded by gorgeous display Of
colOred searchlights trained uniformly in
various directions and ending with rain
bow effects. which were heightened by the
clouds OF steam exhausted from the fun
nels OF the vessels. The searchlights were
stiU cleaning when the royal salute was
fred at midnight Then all were extin-
guished save that on the royal yacht.
which remained glittering-
The King viii again inspect the feet
Monday when all the ships will steam
past the royal yacht After what one
HTrfter calls this display showing the
progress OF naval construction during the
Victorian era. from the time OF the early
xNEEE.E nErnENr