A SEA PAGEANT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7962, 5 September 1887, Page 3

A SEA PAGEANT.

A SPLENDID SPECTACLE AT SPITHEAD.

The Queen reviewed the home section of the English navy at Spithead on July 23, between the Isle of Wight and the Hampshire coast. One hundred and thirty-four pennants were flown in the fleet of tbe vessels reviewed. There were twenty-six armoured ships, nine unarmoured ships, three torpedo cruisers, one torpedo gunboat, one gun torpedo vessel, thirty-eight first-class torpedo boats, thirty-eight gunboats, twelve troopships, ope paddle frigate, and six training brigs. There were 20,000 officers and pen in the crews of the vessels on exhibition. There were also a Dumber of special vessels for the accommodation of officials and invited guests. The vessels to be reviewed were placed in line early in the morning. One of them lay along the Isle of Wight, while the others were in a parallel line just off Hampshire. The vessels reviewed were aboat a quarter of a mile apart. The day was absolutely perfect. Altbodgb it was warm, there waß a fresh breeze blowing all day. There' was every form of modern naval architecture, placed in contrast with hulks and ancient ' vessels of the past which were moored in Portsmouth harbor. Two vessels which attracted more attentioD, perhaps, than all of the new vessels, were the gigantic four-deckers, Duke of Wellington and the Victory, the latter being the remaining ship of Nelson's old fleet. The Victory,' which was his flagship, is still in good condition. It waß tbought best at one time to have these historical vessels in the parade. There was a marked contrast between these two high-storied wooden vessels and the low-built iron monsters of torpedo boats which dashed about the harbor, running at the speed of eighteen and twenty miles an hoar. These boats ran about the harbor looking for all the world like amphibious creatures, so low did they lie in the water. Any of these vicious, swift-running crafts, small as they are, would be Bafficient to destroy in a few moments any vessel of the character of the Victory. The vessels reviewed were covered with flags from stem to stern. Back of them, along the Isle of Wight, were innumerable pleasure crafts. Along the Hampshire coast were excursion steamers and the great vessels of the Peninsular and Oriental line, which brought the people down from London for the sum of £7, and gave them a dinner and a night's lodging, remaining for the illuminations. The Qaeen did not leave Isle of Wight nntil about three o'clock. There were three royal yachts, There was a little pilot vessel leading the way. Then came the Queen's yacht, that of the Prince of Wales, and then tbe yacht assigned to the German Crown Prince. The royal yachts had two smoke-stacks, painted yellow, aDd three masts, all white. Each were side-wheel steamers. Tbe Queen sat aft under a white awning, with only two or three ladies near her. She was in black, with a black bonnet trimmed with white lace. She wore black gloves, and held in her hand a green sun umbrella. The Prince of Wales on his yacht wore for the first time the uniform of his new office of Admiral.

The royal yachts were followed by the Euphrates, carrying members of the House of Lords and their families, and the Crocodile, carrying members of the House of Commons. At her heels cacao two others j carrying the Indian Princes and the High Admiralty officers. The yards of all of tbe fleet in review were manned with sailors half an hour before tho royal yachts were started. These men stood ho still that at the immense height at which they were perched they looked like toy sailors. It was a splendid spectacle when tbt> royal yachts turned and passed dowa the line of these magnificent wai ships. All of tbe ports of the war vessels were opeD, and steel-mouthed cnnnon showed from every opening. The flying flags and the colors of the graceful ships made a naval picture to gladden the heart of a sailor, but of the long line reviewed only onenaif are now up to modem requirements. Change is tbe order of tho day. The great Agincourt, wilb her displacement of 10,000 tone, costing over £400,000, is now considered second-class in rank. Interest upon tbe art of nnval men is now concen*

trated on the torpedo boats and swift steel cruisers.

_At the close of the review the Queen received on her yaoht all of the commanders of the vessels of the fleet. In the evening Portsmouth was ablaze with illuminations, and gloaming electrio lights illuminated every stick and spar of the fleet. The day and evening has made the brightest and most interesting picture of the Jubilee ceremonies.

j / For continuation of newt see 4tk page, .'