Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 April 1893 — GREAT NAVAL REVIEW [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

GREAT NAVAL REVIEW

PROUDEST EVENT IN UNCLE SAM’S MARITIME HISTORY. Nations of the Earth Lend Their Monarelis of the-Sea to Do Us Honor —Hampton Roads the Ilistorio Rendezvous— Great Day for. Gotham.

An Imposing Spectacle. Q HEN your Uncle SamV) |S Uel sets alxmt todo a \), Hi »thing it is usually done I ih tho most appropri- \ f way, and the great np naval review witnessed -yz in New York harbor ■A was no exception to jk\ this rule. The imposl ing demonstration sig5=3T, nalized the opening of / X 1 tho Columbian Exposi- \ \ li I tioE at Chicago, and j V 7 its international char- \, i actei lent added at—J. traction to a display of l" 5 " navpl glory unpreeedented in the history of the world.

Representative vessels from the mighty navies of the most powerful nations of the earth joined with the superb vYarships of our own country in a display grand and impressive almost beyond conception or description. For two weeks prior to the event in New York harbor, tho monster ships had been arriving at the rendezvous in Hampton lioads, off Fort Monroe, at the very spot where, thirty-one years ago, the Monitor and Merrimac engaged in the most decisive naval battle in the civil war, and proved to the world tha,t the dnys of wooden battleships was over. First to arrive was our own flagship, the Philadelphia, Hear Admiral Bancroft Gherardi, commander-in-chief, Capt. A. 8. Barker commanding. Several other vessels of the United States navy accompanied her, and as one after another the foreigners were sighted the monster guns pealed forth their thunderous salutes. For several days the scene was one of animation and excitement. The roadstead was gay with flags of the various nations represented, and saucy little dispatch boats

darted about with untiring energy. From the impudent little launch and agile torpedo boat to the ponderous protected cruiser, every species of vessel used in modern warfare was represented, and when finally all were assembled the list was as follows: American Fleet. Philadelphia, flagship, Rear-Admiral Bancroft Gherardi, commander-ln-chief, Captain Albert 8. Barker, commanding. Baltimore, Captain G. AV. Sumner, commanding. San Francisco, Captain J. C. Watson, commanding. Charleston, Captain H. F. Picking, commanding. Chicago, flagship, Rear-Admiral John G. Walker, commanding division. Captain John F. McGlensey, commanding. Miantonomah, Captain Montgomery Sicard, commanding. Vesuvius, Lieutenant Seaton Schroeder, commanding. Kearsarge, Commander A. S. Crowninshield, commanding,

Concord, Commander Edwin White, commanding. Atlanta, Captain F. J. Higginson, commanding. Newark, flagship. Rear Admiral A. E. K. Benham. Captain Silas Casey, commanding. Bennington, Commander R. B. Bradford, commanding. Yorktown, Commander Frank W llaes, commanding. Bancroft, Lieutenant Commander A. Walker, commanding. Cushing, Lieutenant F. F. Fletcher, commanding. Constellation, Commander C. F. Goodrich, commandinj.

Yantic, Commander Samuel Belden, commanding. Foreign Crafty Argentine—Nueve de Jullo.. .Protected cruiser Rrazll—Aquldabau .1.. .Battleship Tlraudentez Gun . vessel Itepubllca. Protected crusler England—Blake Armored cruiser Australis Armored cruiser Maglcienne Protected cruiser Tartar Par. pro. cruder Partridge Par. Pro. cruiser France— Jean Bart Protected cruiser Arethuse Unprotected cruiser Hußsaro Unprotected cruiser Germany—Katserln Augusta, . .iDnpro. cruiser

Scaadlcr Unprotected cruiser Holland—Van Spcyk Protected cruiser Italy—Etna Par. Pro. cruiser Giovanni Bauean Protected cruiser Dogall Armored cruiser Russia—Omitrl Donskoi Armored cruiser General Admiral Par. Pro. cruiser Ranta Protected cruiser Spain—Reina Regente Protected cruiser Infanta Isabel Unprotected cruiser The fleet of Xerxes must have awed the Greeks as did this tremendous at ray of “armed neutrality” the modern world. The Armada was great in its day, and so were the fleets that gathered to besiege Sebastopol. But the advances in naval construction have been almost miraculous in their prodigiousness, and so it is that the war vessels gathered in Hampton Roads could in a day destroy

a coast nation as extensive as the line from Key West to New York. The new vessels of our now renowned navy have been described so often that further mention is superfluous. Of a type different than those of any other nation, they combine fighting ability with swiftness, and challenge the admiration of the world. But, superb as they are, they were in company which divided honors fairly. England sent the famous Blake, now the equal and lately‘the superior of any floating battery in the world, Argentine’s Nueve de Julio, just from the yards on the Clyde, gave to the world the inlormation that this South American confederation was ready to do battle upon equal grounds with any other power. The Jean Bart, with her gigantic guns, iron-sided hull and wicked-looking ram, looked equal to the task of encountering the whole fleet. Italy, Russia, Brazil, Germany, Spain, and even little Holland, all sent champions fit indeed to appear in this congress of invincible mouarchs of the sea. Under way from Hampton Roads to New York, the American vessels acted as escorts to the visitors, the Spanish fleet having the place of honor, commanded by the Duke of Veragua, Admiral of Spain. Vice Admiral Sir J. D. Hopkins with the Blake led the British squadron; Vice Admiral Kornakoff the Russian, with Grand Duke Alexis second in command; Rear Admiral Maguaghi was in command of the Italian fleet, and Capt. Amavel, ex-Minister of Marine of Portugal, was in command of the corvette Alfonso de -Albuquerque. Admiral Gherardi of the American fleet is a man fitted by education and temperament for the delicate duties intrusted to him. He was born in Jackson, La., November 10, 1832. He entered the navy from Massachusetts as midshipman in 1846, and served on the Ohio, of the Pacific squadron, till 1850, entering the Annapolis Academy in 1852. He became lieutenant in 1855, and at the beginning of the civil war was on the Lancaster, of the Pacific squadron. In 1862 he was made Lieutenant Commander, and took part in the engagement of Fort Macon in that year. In 1863-64 he commanded the gunboat Chocorpa and the steamer Port Royal, of the AVest Gulf blockade squadron. In the.latter vessel he taok

part in the battle of Mobile Bay and distinguished himself for coolness ana courage. In 1866 he was made Commander, in 1874 Captain, and in 1884 Commodore. In 1886 he was appointed Commandant of thq Brooklyn Navy Yard, and in 1887 he became Bear Admiral. Up the coast the formidable procession swept in close order and at a speed of only sevon and a half knots to avoid collisions, and in the evening came to anchor in Sandy Hook to await the

morning of review. Early on that eventful morning every available space for eight-seeing was crowded with spectators; crafts of all descriptions, resplendent with bunting of nearly every civilized nation in the world and lively with the music of scores of bands, steamed out to take positions advantageous for view. Slowly up the Narrows steamed the mightiest fleet ever afloat; they were joined by the Columbus caravels, the Santa Maria, Nina and Pinta, and the assembled thousands roared a mighty cheer as these representatives of the great discoverer’s frail craft swept on in company with the others. At last, opposite Forts Hamilton and Wadsworth, came the supreme moment. The coast defense guns belched forth a sheet of flame, and from out the smoke boomed America’s salute to the nations of the world. Hardly had the flrßt cheer rolled up from the multitude nefore the fleet gave answer with a roar and crash that seemed to split the very heavens. Columbia had received the proudest homage in her history. The rest of the exercises were simple. The fleet came to anchor. President Cleveland, hisi Cabinet, and other dignitaries boarded the flagship Philadelphia, and slowly down the. line tho party steamed in review. Flags and bunting were displayed in profusion. As the President of the great republic passed the warships the yards were manned, the bands played national airs, and the multitude ashore and afloat howled itself hoarse. The Presidential review terminated the parade, and many of the foreign vessels departed at once for their respective stations. Quite a number of the commanding officers, however, proceeded to Chicago to witness the opening of the Exposition. Upon their return from Chicago the foreign officers are to be entertained lavishly by the citizens of New York.

The chamber of commerce has consented to take charge of the banquet and reception, and prominent citizens will' vie with each other to impress upon the braided gentlemen from Europe. Asia and South America the fact that American hospitality knows no-bounds. It js the opinion of naval officers that the New York review surpassed in magnificence axd grandeur the great English display inaugurated for Emperor William «f Germany in 11 Mi. Never in

the history of the ■world have so many nations consented to participate in an international parade—a fact which plainly indicates that all of the great powers aro anxious to show their respect for the United States by honoring the memory of the man who discovered the western hemisphere. How the World Wags. Fire in the office of the Fargo Express Company at Albuquerque,'N. M., warped the safe and partly consumed

SIOO,OOO in gold and the same sum in greenbacks. The Dowager Duchess of Sutherland has been taken to prison. It is known that 150 persons perished in the Zante earthquake. | Gotham waiters have agreed to strike for an advance in wages. During a blizzard at Pipestone, Minn., John Horton v.as killed by a Burlington train. Mexican bandits captured a mule train carrying $30,000 in silver in the Sierra Madre Mountains. Sheriff Tressel. of Mansfield, Ohio, is short $5.( 00 in his accounts. The money was lost in gambling. L. O. Desforges, member of the New Orleans City Council, shot and killed his broiher-in-law, Peter McGuinn. Thf. New York Hotel property at New Y'ork has been sold at auction to Mrs. Elmer J. Jay lor $1,300,( 00. Do. W. H. Rogers and two children were ser ously poisoned at Madison, Ind., 1 y eating canned tongue. - The Rev. S. D. Roberts, who disappeared at Lincoln, Neb., was found in a haystack in a demented condition. At Fayetteville, Ark., Wood’s Opera House burned. Loss, $12,000. The building had not been thrown open to the public. It is said Minister Stevens has decided to leave Honolulu. He is dissatisfied with the course of Special Commissioner Blount The tobacco factory of Morwood & Co., at South Boston, Va., was blown down, causing a loss of $40,000. One man was killea. Bebt Michael, of Bridgewater, S. D., on returning to his home from pursuit of Charles West, who had taken his team, found that James Devlin had

taken his wife and a mule and left with them. A large number of Catholic dignitaries will attend the centennial celebration at New Orleans of the founding of the Jesuit Cathedral. A syndicate has been formed to gain control of the natural gas interests of Indiana. It has purchased 40,000 acres of natural gas lands.

REAR ADMIRAL GHERARDI.

THE RENDEZVOUS IN HAMPTON ROADS.

CAFT. ASA WALKER. FLEET CAPT. BRIDGEMAN.

ADMIRAL RENHAM. CAPT. PHILLIPS

CAPTAIN M SICARD. COM. CHADWICK.