The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-07-10
OUR SQUADRON WELCOMED.
The American Squadron Given IA
Hearty Welcome by King Edward
and the British Navy at PORTS
mouth.

Portsmouth. England. July 6.-Wnn
boom of cannon, the British flee. on be-
half Of King Edward welcomed the-
United States European squadron to-
Great Britaln's naval headquarters t,
day. The gunboat Machias joined the
flagship Kearsarge, the Chicago anCa
the San Francisco early in the morn
ing and shortly after s O'clock Signals
began to fiutter from the mast headss
of the American and British ships. The
latter, in obedience to a signal from
Lord Charles Beresford, the commander
of the channel squadron, formed two.
lines and down this lane of huge gray
warships 0 the Americans. their
white sides cleaning in the sunlight
National Salutes We're fired by EACH
squadron, which wa followed by am,
exchange of SaluteS to Rear Admiral
Cotton and Vice-Admiral Beresford-
subsequently the two admirals X
calls on the f1agShips, accord
ing to he usual honors as each came
over the side.
At high tide the American warships=
entered the harbor led by the Kear--
sarge.
AS the Kearsarge approached the jet
ty, attention. was Ounde on the Vic
toria and Albert the victory, and the
other ships in the harbor. 4 courtesy
which was returned from the Kear-
sarge'S deck, on which was drawn up
an admiral's guard of fifty marines,
under the command of Lieutenant Col
lier.
AS soon as the Kearsarge was berth
ed, Sir William Dupree. the mayor OF
Portsmouth boarded her and greeted
Admiral Cotton. saying:
The people of Portsmouth welcome
the American squadron and extend to-
its officers and men all the courteSieS=
they can Offer"
Admiral Cotton replied, expressing his:
pleasure at the welcome extended to-
the squadron and thanking the mayor
in behalf of the United States govern
ment and himself.
On the departure of the mayor, Rear
dmiral Milne, commander of the roy
al yachts, specially detailed by King
Edward to welcome the Americans, ar
rived or board the Kearsarge and ex-
pressed the qualification of King Ed
ward at the arrival of the s%quadrOrn
and. in behalf of the king welcomed
it to England.
Subsequently Admiral Cotton. Cap
tain Hemphil and the staff officers Wis
tied the naval officials, escorted by am
admiral's guard and a band.
The American s~quadron's first day in
British waters has ended as brilliantly
as it began. While Admiral Hothan1
entertained Admiral Cotton n the
American captains at dinner tonight
the junior officers of the United States
vessels were dining on board the Brit
ISL gunery ship Excellent. The Ing
lish and American ships were ilumi-
mated this evening, the spectacle at
tracing thousands of onlookers who
watched it from the f1ag-decked streets
The following welcomes has been re-
ceived by Admiral Cotton:
The King welcomes you and your
squadron to England, and is looking
forward to greeting o and your
brother officers in London
Admiral Cotton Immediately replied
as follows:
Rear Admiral Cotton Acknowledges
with grateful appreciation His Majes-
tvs cordial welcome to himself and Of
ficers of the squadron under his com
mand to England, and anticipates with
great Measure the honor meeting and
paying his respects to his majesty i'm
London"