Perth Amboy evening news., 1905-11-15
DANCE UNDER
The old FLAG.
British kdmiraIs Ballroom In.
closed by Monster Flag on
Deck of His Vessel.

NEW lOlNINi NV. lo.-luH Dali CIV
en- by Prince Louis Of B%attenberg.
commanding the British squadron now
anchored in the North river in company
with Admiral Evans and Admiral Da-
Wis s~duadrons of the American navy.
was one of the most brilliant naval
functions ever seen in New York.
The ball was given ON board the
English flagship, the Drake, as she lay
at the Cunard dock.
The thousand or more invited guests
included officials and society people in
Washington, Annapolis, Baltimore and
West Point as well us in New York.
At the entrance of the long pier
1oated a tremendous British flag.
Passing down the pier, guests went
aboard the Drake. The entire ship
was inclosed in heavy canvas. Coming
over the side the guests passed along
the port side to the quarter deck, where
Prince Louis received. The tented
walls of the after deck We're hung with
the flags of the nations. and the stars
and stripes and the union jack were
everywhere intertwined.
From the quarter deck the guests
passed up a stairway banked with flags
TO the brakes famous ballroom, the
pride Of the second cruiser squadron
and the wonder of every guest at the
ball.
Looking up-for that was what one
did as soon as they reached the ball
room-the guests saw that this magic
scene was covered by Old Glory. From
the main derrick rising high from the
center of the boat deck shone the stars
Of the original thirteen states, made of
little electric lights On a field of blue
bunting. From this central point were
draped. tent fashion, the red and white
stripes of this mammoth American flag
A divers uniform inflated stood at the
end of the deck holding a basket of
dance cards N the extended right arm.
UnhappiIy the weather operated
against thorough enjoyment. Ladies'
evening dress is not adapted TO a tenn
perature that invites furs, with a keen
night wind blowing across a sweep of
water.
Apart from this unavoidable contin-
gency the function was unique. Gleam-
ing cannon pointing across Il ballroom
on which the aristocracy of two navies
and n great city waltzed above powder
magazines, railroad tugs crossing the
dark North river and footing their
whistles in company with the strains
of an orchestra, festival in the midst
of instruments of car~nage-these were
the elements that made it a spectacle
probably never seen anywhere before.
In the absence of Lady Durand, the
wife of the British ambassador. Lady
Susan TOwnley, the wife of the an
bassy counselor, assisted Prince Louis
in greeting his guests.
Mr.. and Mrs. Douglas Robinson were
among the early arrivals and brought
the news that Miss Roosevelt was not
able TO attend the ball. 1t was eX
p'1incd that her mother, alarmed at
me rundown condition of Miss Roose-
welt after her %eXhausting trip around
the world, had forbidden her to take
part at present in any large social af
fairs until she had fully recuperated
her health. Miss Roosevelt had there
fore gone to Boston.
Lady Townley and Miss Durand We're
both honored by the prince with a
dance, but most of his evening was de
voted to receiving the long lines of
guests that poured over the side of the
Drake.
Through this wonderful garden of col
or strolled nearly Il thousand guests.
Prince Louis hosts, the officers of the
first squadron and the fourth division
of the third squadron of the north At
lantic fleet and their families headed
the list. These included the command
err in chief of the north Atlantic fleet
and Mrs. Robley d. Evalk and the
Misses Evans. Rear Admiral Davis.
commanding the second division of the
first squadron, and the officers of his
staff; Rear Admiral Brownson, com.
handing the fourth division; Mrs.
Brownson and Miss Carolyn Brown
son and the officers of the admiral'S
staff; Rear Admiral Sigsbee. command
ing the second squadron: Rear .Admira,
Coghlan, commandant of the New York
navy yard, and the officers OH duty at
the yard. Others present were Gen
eral Wade, Brigadier General Grant
and the officers at Governors island
and Brigadier General Mills, many OF
whom were accompanied by their
wives; the governor of New York. the
mayor of New York and Mrs. McClel
Ian, Mr.. and Mrs. Joseph Choatc. Gen
eral Horace Porter, Colonel and Mrs.
John Jacob Astor. Colonel and Mrs
Robert NJ. Thompson, Sir Frederick w,
Burden, X. c. NJ. c., and Lady Burden.