Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-06-26
Naval Pageant Reviewedby
EngIand's Sailor Monarch.
Awe Inspiring Spectacle with
WaTships off pOrlmouih.
Our Mighty Delaware Shows Up as
Most Magnificent OF Great Ships.

Portsmouth, June 25.-The Narships
of the world doomed out royal salute
Saturday in honor of England sailor
King. Bright sunshine came at last to
lend its brillianey to one of the most
impressive scenes of all the gorgeous
psgeantrv which has attended the
Coronation of George V. In double
line six miles in length fioated the
n,ightiest of Britain's warships. These
lines were joined at either end by
two-mile stretch OF smaller craft,
while off the Isle of Wight Is foreign
vessels lay dressed in glittering eolors.
Saturday afternoon, after night OIL
torrential rain and morning none 100
promising. the weather cleared. 1t was
an ideal day when the King sailed 10
review his fleet and the fereign vessels
which had come from every naval ma
ton of the world to do him honor.
The narrow waters of the solent
never held SO large a fleet. 1t was
the most effective ever brought to-
gether. Every class was represented
and every one of the 1856 ships an
chored there was ready for immedi-
ate active service. All the British
ships in the long lines were on the
active list, and of the visiting war
ships four were on the most modern
type. the American battleship Della
ware, and the Danton. France. and
the RadetzslIy, Austria
This mighty fleet lying off Ports
mouth presented an appearance at
once magnificent and awe-inspiring.
Its vastness could not be 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.
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 feet
were scores of big liners, including the
Atlantic liners La Savoie and George
Washington, on which were hundreds OF
American visitors The excursion steam
ers passed down the line and the pas
seneers and crews exchanged cheers
The Delaware particularly got rouslng
reception from the Americans
AS the royal yacht Victoria and Albert
entered the line the men manned the
ships, the guns Numbered and the nanos
played the national anthem On the
bridge the King stood in an admlrafs
uniform. acknowledging the cheers of the
sailors and visitors. Capt. Cove and the
men of the Delaware and the guests
aboard gave the King cheer which was
truly American. TO this His Majesty re-
piled with salute.
The Delaware looked really magnlh-
cent From the tops of her fghtlng
masts she few 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 ana
Stripes fioated.
When the royal yacht dropped anchor
the senior officers of all the ships went
aboard. Capt. Cove came alongside In
a launch and as he stepped aboard ne
was warmly welcomed. For several min
utes the King chatted with the officers
and thanked them warmly for their pres
ence.
AS the royal yacht turned her mead
toward Portsmouth the salutes were re-
peated and the sailors cheered again ana
again.
The King spent the night at Portsmouth
and witnessed the illumination OF the
ships from the signal tower.