Rensselaer Republican, Volume 25, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 May 1893 — THE WORLD’S ARMADA. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE WORLD’S ARMADA.

The Great Columbian Naval Review in New York Harbor. As Imposing and Significant Spectacle— Curious Contrast* of Ancient and Uodern Naval Architecture. Open the gates for the guests are arriving, Gome to the feast we have spread for the world— ' Over the crest of the waves vainly striving Calm the ships rest with their banners unfurled. Under the fairest skies and on an unruffled sea the international fleet, representing ten foreign nations, which had been gathering at the appointed rendezvous at Hampton Roads for a week previous, weighed anchor, Monday morning, and set sail for New York harbor, where, after an uneventful voyage, they dropped their anchors amid salvos of artillery from the fortifications on the different shores, Monday night and Tuesday

morning. The contrast between the architecture of the Spanish caravels, which were in tow of the Spanish war ships, was striking, and perhaps no feature of the great pageant was so impressive. In the land-lOcked harbor, Wednesday morning, when the first rays of the morning sun had cleared away the hazy shadows, the great fleet lay revealed, a triumph of spectacular art in its arrangement and detail. Silence that was suggestive of an untold force brooded over the scene, but did not long endure. Soon the bay became alive witli pleasure craft, and the patrol boats had difficulty in keeping the anchorage grounds clear. Thousands of spectators had assembled at all available points to witness the formation of the line of review. At 9:45 a. m. the start was made, and the scene speedily became ono of combined grace, animaion and beauty never to bo forgotten. ?he absence of cannonading left tho air clear and tho magnificent ships stood out lii the luminous silhouttes against a cloud-

'ess sky. The entire water front was 1 1 tied with people and steam whistles were blown continuously from the time the, fleet entered North river until the last vessel dropped anchor. President Cleveland and the Cabinet, with their families, arrived Wednesday evening, and were driven quietly to the Victoria Hotel. The party declined invitations to attend a banquet given by the Union League Club, and retired early, being evidently much fatigued. Rain on the roof, rain on ten thousand roofs, rain washing sidewalks and pave, rain drops pricking the river surface into a rash of white spatter, rain wetting the decks and rigging of tho pulseless war monsters riding at anchor, wetness above, moisture below, permeating, saturating everything, everywhere—such were tire conditions of the early morning about the flag-smothered, bunting-decked city of New York, Thursday. As the growing day advanced, however, a breeze felt its way over tho banks and across the water where the fleets were. It broke its way through the mists, and before tho tattered fogs closed in again the ghostly outlines of masts and lines of dark hulls appeared and half faded again. Then venturing gusts of air wandered through the fog, and gradually the little gusts were reinforced until a stream of them flowed over the high river banks and blew away the mists. Tho crack ships of ton nations drawn together at the invitation of tho United States to commemorate the fonrhundredth anniversary of the discovery

of America hid been put In readiness for their part of the celebration, but the rain sadly Interfered with the holiday display. When 8 o’clock had arrived there were signs of activity on all of the yessels In the fleet. Each vessel ran up a big American flag to the top of the main mast and

big flags of her own country fore and aft. The Spanish, French. Brazilian and Argentine ships ran up lines of streamers or their yards. Uncle Sam’s white navy floated big holiday flags from each m&St AtlOcr clock the United States vessels rar up banting and the British, Russian, Italian, German ahd •Holland -ships followed suit until all were iu holiday dress, but owing to tho inclement weather the programme arrangod for the forenoon was deferred till l p. m. It was near 1 o'clock when President Cleveland and family, the Cabinet and other distinguished people embarked on tho Dolphin. As soon as the President stopped on board the Dolphin the vessel tripped her anchor and fired one gun os a signal. This was responded to by a boom which sccrnnd to shake the whole city. The dcublo-turreted Monitor Miantonomoh, lying at the rear of the port column, fired for tho first time in port one of her huge ten-inch guns charged with nearly 250 pounds of powder. Almost before the reverberation of this gun had died away ?n the distant echoes, the

whole fleet was called to quarters, yards were manned and every preparation made to receive the President of the United States with becoming respect. Following the Dolphin came the army steamer, General Meigs, bearing the Duke of Veragua and party, and the Monmouth, bearing Governors of States, Senators, Members of Congress, and army officers. All other vessels were excluded from the limits of the presidential progress. Opposite Ninety-Fifth street tho Dolphin dropped anchor, and the officers of the foreign ships came aboard and were presented to the Presi dent with great ceremony by the ministers of their several governments. At night a great Columbian ball wa9 given at Madison Square Garden. The great building was gorgeously decorated and the President and the Duke of Veragua were the guests of the evening.

THE RENDESVOU AT HAMPTON ROADS.

CARAVEL SANTA MARIA.

THE BALTIMORE.