The Return of H.M.S Powerful.

Manawatu Herald, 31 May 1900, Page 3

The Return of H.M.S Powerful.

H.M.S. Powerful arrived at Ports-^ mouth on Wednesday afternoon with the officers and men of the Naval Brigade who did such splendid work in the defence of Ladysmith, and the reception accorded them, as the cruiser steamed into harbour, was altogether unique in naval history, for both soldiers and sailors combined to give the heroes a downright hearty English welcome home. The Powerful is a Portsmouth ship, she having been commissioned at that port on June 8. 1897, aQ d as a large number of her ship's company have their homes in the locality, the eagerness with which her arrival has been greeted can be all the more easily understood. She left Las Palmas on Thursday, and has come home under half-speed. Her arrival was announced by the booming' of the 17 guns with which she saluted the flag of the Admiral. Sir M. CulmeSeymour, Coramander-in-Chief at Portsmouth, after which she anchored until the appointed time for her to proceed into the harbour. Meanwhile, the preparations for giving her officers and men a real English welcome were proceeding ashore. Every commissioned ship in the harbour was gay with bunting, the order having been given that the vessels should dress overall with flags, rainbow fashion, and the fortifications on both sides of the entrance^to the harbour were lined with troops, while thousands of spectators crowded Soutbsea beach, and every other position from which a sight of the cruiser could be obtained. On the bard, so familiar to the readers of Maryatt's romances, there was a good display of banting. Admission to the dockyard was exclusively, confined to those who had obtained passes from the AdmiralSuperintendent of the Dockyard, but a large number had been Issued, for naturally the families and relatives of the officers and men were anxious to welcome them ashore as soon as possible. It was late in the afternoon before the arrival of the cruiser was announced at Spithead, and as she steamed through Spitehead the scene will not soon be forgotten. Cheer after cheer rent the air, and the cheering was as warmly responded to by the bluejackets on board, while from the military bands ashore came the strains of " Home, Sweet Home." The Powerful got alongside about four o'clock. At an interview between the Mayor of Portsmouth and Capt. Lambton, the date of the Powerful's public welcome and dinner was fixed for April 21. The Queen sent a message to Capt. Lambton, commander of the Powerful, welcoming the men of the Naval Brigade on their return, heartily congratulating them on the gallant and valued services they rendered in South Africa, and eypraßrfng a hope that she will sertbem all shortly after her return to England. The Duke 6f York has also sent a message of Welcome and congratulation.