THE NAVAL REVIEW.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7542, 18 August 1902, Page 2

THE NAVAL REVIEW.

A MAGNIFICENT SIGHT.

Received August 18, 1.13 a.m. London, August 17. There was an immense inrush of visitors to the Isle of Wight for the Coronation naval review, the cliffs being crowded with spectators.

Admiral C. F. Hotham, aboard the Royal Sovereign, commanded 20 battleships, 24 cruisers, 15 gunboats, 10 training ships, 32 torpedo destroyers, and 7 torpedo boats. These were formed into four lines, each three and a half miles long.

The arrival of the Royal yacht Alberta and Victoria, with the King, Queen, and Royal party aboard, at 2.80, was greeted by the manning of ships, tbe ships firing salutes of 21 guns.

The Alberta and Victoria, accompanied by the yachts Albert, Osborne, and Enchantress, steamed east between gunboats, battleships, and cruisers, returning past a few foreign warships, including two Japanese (the Asoma and Tokosajo), whose reception was markedly enthusiastic

The Royal yacht then steamed east again past the merchant steamers, including the Ophir, 1 which was orowded with visitors who paid 15 guineas per head. The crew of each cheered the Royal yacht, tbe King, with the Queen and Prince of Wales, standing on tbe bridge, wearing an admiral's uniform, and saluting each vessel.

Tbe whole fleet cheered when the Victoria and Albert anchored near the Royal Sovereign.

Later, the King received British and foreign flag officers, while the review ground had been opened for visitors' inspection, pending the illuminations at night.

The illuminations were, unfortunately, completely spoilt by a violent thunderstorm and torrents of rain.