Review at Spithead.

Manawatu Herald, 19 August 1902, Page 2

Review at Spithead.

There was an Immense rush of visi* tors to the Isle of Wight for the Coronation naval review at Spithead. The cliffs were crowded with spectators. Mr Chamberlain, Lord Kitchener, Lord Roberts, Sir Edmund Barton and his wife, Mr gnd Mrs Seddon, were aboard the steamer Nigeria. Other colonials were aboard the Areadia La Plata. They arrived at Spithead early and ■steamed through the fleet. Admiral Sir Charles F. Hotham, aboard the Royal Sovereign (14,000 tons), commanded 20 battleships, 24 cruisers, 15 gunboats, 10 training ships 32 torpedo-destroyers, and seven torpedo boats, formed into four lines each three and a half miles long. The arrival of the Royal yacht Victoria and Albert, with the King and Queen and the Royal party “aboard, at 2.30, was greeted by manning the ships and the firing nf salutes of 21 guns. The Victoria and Albert, accompanied by the yachts Albert, Osborne and Enchantress, steamed between the gunboats, battleships and cruisers, retnniinging past a few foreign war-, rdiips, including two Japanese vessels the Asotna and Tokosajp, whose reception was markedly enthusiastic.

They then steamed east again past the merchants steamers, including the Ophir, which was crowded with visitors, who paid fifteen gunineas per head.

The crew of each cheered the Royal yacht, the King with the Queen and the Prince of Wales standing on the bridge, wearing the admiral’s uniform, and saluting each vessel, whole fleet cheering when the Victoria and Albert anchored near the Royal Sovereign. Laterthe King received the British and foreign flag, officers, while the review ground had been opened for the visitors’ inspection pending the Illuminations at night. The illuminations were unfortunately completely spoiled by a violent thunderstorm.