Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-06-25
LONG LINES OF WARSHIPS
Waters of the Solent at Portsmouth
Float Immense Fleet.
UNITED STATES REPRESENTED
Sovereign Is Greeted By Britain's
Mightiest Battleships, in Col
umns Miles In Length.

PORTSMOUTH, June 24-The war.
ships OF the world doomed out a royal
salute today in honor Of England's sailor
king. Bright sunshine came at last to
lend its brilliancy to one OF the most
impressive scenes of all the gorgeous
pageantry attending the coronation of
George V. In a double line six miles in
length fioated the mightiest of Britain
warships. These lines were joined at
either end by two-mile stretch OF
smaller craft, while off the Isle Of Wight
eighteen foreign vessels lay. dressed in
glittering colors.
1t was an ideal day when the king
sailed out from Portsmouth harbor to
review his fleet and the foreign vessels
which had come to do him honor.
Immense Fleet Assembled.
The narrow waters Of the Solent never
held so large a fleet. 1t was the most
effective ever brought together. Every
class was represented and every one OF
the 1S5 ships anchored there was ready
for immediate active service. All tho
British ships in, the long lines were on
the active list. and OF the visitors -FOUR
were OF the most modern type. the Amer
lean battleship Delaware, the Won der
Tam, representing Germany; tho Dan
ton, France and the Radetzky. Austria.
This mighty fleet presented an appear
ance at once magnificent ana aW0-ln-
spring. Its vastness could not pc seen
nor its powers told. Flags of all nations
were whipped by the breeze aloft, while
myriads of tiny streamers stretched
across every ship from stem to stern.
Mosquito Fleet Along Shore.
The mosquito fleet had a position along
the shore, and behind the little craft, In
the mouth Of the bay, innumerable yachts
were drawn up. Surrounding the fleet
were scores of big liners. including the
Atlantic liners LaSavoie and George
Washington, on which were hunoreos u
American visitors.
AS the royal yachts. Victoria and Albert,
entered the line the men manned the
ships. the guns Numbered and the panos
played the national anthem. On the
bridge the king stood in an admiral
uniform, acknowledging the cheers Of the
sailors and visitors. Capt Cove and the
men of the Delaware and the guests
aboard gave the king a cheer which was
truly American. to which his majesty
replied with q salute.
Magnificent Delaware.
The Delaware looked magnificent. From
the tops Of her fighting masts she flew
immense American and British flags,
which topped all the rest. Bunting and
fleet flags were entwined between the
masts and along the rigging, while astern
another monster Stars and Stripes n0ateo
When the royal yacht dropped anchor
the senior officers of all the SHIPS went
aboard. AS Capt. Cove stepped aDoaru
he was warmly welcomed.
For several minutes the king chattel
with the officers and thanked them warm
ly for their presence. AS the royal yacht
turned her mead toward Portsmouth the
salutes were repeated and the sailors
cheered again and again.
The king spent the night at portsmouth
and witnessed the illumination Of the
ships from the signal tower.
Special Ambassadors Comment.
Commenting on the great naval review
at Spithead, John Hays Hammond, the
American special ambassador, said to-
night:
1T was the greatest fleet Of warships
l ever saw, most magnificent sight. l
attribute my cordial reception there more
to the fact that the United States pro-
posed the arbitration treaty than to any
thing else. 1t is that act that has drawn
all the countries Of the world together.
THE king and queen, continued Mr..
Hammond, were very companionable
with all of us. They walked about the
royal yacht and talked to everybody as
The trip was more like being on private
Thara T0rmality anywhere