The Naval Review.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 173, 9 October 1886, Page 5

The Naval Review.

Owing to its being mail day, I couldn't go to Portsmouth for the Naval Review last Thursday. I hear, though, that—notwithstanding the truck accident in the Dockyard which broke' several distinguished colonial heads — the affair was a bona fide, success, and thoroughly enjoyed by all. Theexcureionists numbered soveralhundred, and included the whole "official list," as well as sundry lesser -lights. The day's proceedings are thus described by the •'Daily News," The company were conveyed to Portsmouth by two special trains. Detraining at the South Railway Jetty, within Portsmouth Dockyard, the visitors who had come i« the second speciul hud exchanged into trucks for the purpoe© of being conveyed to a distant part of the yard., They had not gone far, however, before, in turning a sharp curve, where the rails seemed not to be evenly laid, one truck, getting offthe line, was overturned, and the pasaenger3 thrown out. The truck heeled over so Blowly that nobody was caught under it, yet all the occupantß were dashed with some violence to the ground, and all more or less shaken and bruised. Among them were Sir W. Dobeon, Chief Justice of Tasmania, Lady Daweon, of Canada, and her son, whose injuries were less severe ; Chief Engineer Turner, of EL M.S. Howe ; Mr Rankin ; Mrs Nugent, of Canada; and Mrs Sewell, of Jamaica, whose cases, though painful, were not considered serious by the surgeons, who rendered every assistance in their power. This mishap naturally tended to further do press people who were already in no highly cheerful mood, and it waß some time before they recovered enough to feign, if ihey did not feel, an interest in tho wondeiv, mechanical, scientific, and warlike, that they were privileged to inspect minutely. They saw the turrets of • H. M.S. Edinburgh revolve by no perceptible motive power and noiselessly, the huge guns run in and almost loaded bv the same mysterious process, and then laid for action while the turret continued its uncanny revolutions. Thence they were takon to see the Collingwood with its strongly defended barbette towers ; the Imp6iieu?e, whose guns were manned for action ; and | the Sultan, spending much time in inspecting the luxurious appointments of that most comfortable of ironclads. By this time the hour for luncheon had arrived, and an adjournment was made to the Euphrates, where tables were laid for five or six hundred guests, who wore feasted and cordially welcomed to the mother' country in speeches that overflowed with kindly feeling. Sir J. Wall Reid, X.C.8., Director- General of the Medical Department, and author of some very entertaining reminiscences, presided at one table, and made happy reference to this gathering as the first step tov/ards a great federation. Mr Wilmot, of South Africa, replied in a speech that elicted cheer after cheer. As it was in this part of the luncheon room, so it seemed to be in every other corner, so far as one could judge by frequent cheers, which were the only sounds that travelled far, except occasional blasts which bade us "halt" in the process of eating when a toast was to be propoeod, and sounded the "advance" when active operations with knife and fork might be allowed to recommence generally. Directly after luncheon visitors vacated the Euphrates, and went on board the Orontos, which eteamed out of harbour at three o'clock precisely, the hand of the Royal Marines playing "A Lfe on the Ocean Wave," by way of playfully assuring the equeamish among us that it was all right, whatever winds, waves, and rain might indicate to the contrary. '.Several heavily chartered passenger boats that had come all the way from Southampton, Cowee, or Bournemouth for this occasion kept us company, steaming close alongside, and the people on board cheering lustily for their colonial brethren, to which Australasians, Canadians, and Indians replied with equal heartiness. Every ship in harbour was gaily decked with flags, and every crew gave similar'y warm greeting to the Orontea as she glided slowly past. Some distance out her steam steering-gear broke down ; but that was not a matter for grave anxiety, except to the superstitious, who regarded it as the second of the three inevitable disasters that, according to maritime tradition, mu6t overtake those who rashly go to sea on a Friday. What could induce landsmen and women to venture out in comfortless boats on such a day passed comprehension. We were protected by ample awnings, but they stood exposed on decks with nothing to cover them but dripping umbrellas that looked like scalearmour on a huge monster's back, so closely were the people packed together on steamboats and yachts that swarmed about us. The Orontes went first down the line-of battle ships, the crews of which turned out and stood at attention on the decks by way of salute instead of manning the yards, as there were no yards to man. They lay at anchor injthe following order ; Hecla ahead, then the Rupert. Belisle, Ajax, Hotspur. i Devastation, Shannon, Penelope, and j Hercules, with brigs and gunboats astern of them. The Northampton, slightly disabled by collision and unfit to show, was anchored off Osborne, and the Belisle had taken her place in line. Just as the Orontes got abreast of the Shannon we became aware of a stately yacht steaming toward us with the Royal Standard floating aloft. It y> as the Alberta, and as she passed all our visitors cheered again and again for the Queen, who had come out from Osborne to honour the occasion with her presence, accompanied by the Duke and Duchees of Connaught, all of whom stood on the deck while her Majesty acknow ledged the Royal greeting by iterated bows. The Osborne, with other Royal and distinguished personages on board, followed the Alberta, which took up a station within two cables' length of the Orontes as we came to our moorings. Our position was not far from where the white columns lay at anchor, her sides bristling with outrigged spars, from which hung her chain armour or torpedo nettings. A little before five the ai ta k was commenced by second-class torpedo boat", which advanced in two divisions^ aud being received by a warm fire from every gun of the columns. Hotchkin's quick firers, Nordenfelt torpedo repellers, and musketry shrered off, the waves sweeping over and spray enveloping them as they steamed away without having got well within striking distance. As eacU attack wae repulsed the steam eyren of the column sent up a most unearthly scrooch of triumph. Then, however, six first clas3 torpedo boats came in Hue ahead, and advanced so quickly that the columns could not fire shot enough to have hit half of them even if the gunners could see through the smoke of their first salvo, which is < exceedingly doubtful, As they passed each boat's torpedo on swivel carriage was seen to revolve slowly until it aimed straight at the broadside ot the Colossus,, which would inevitably have been hit, though her nettings prevented the shock of explosion from being fatal. The two second-class torpedo boats came stealing up, changed directions , towards the. hostile ironclad, and discharged, missiles which were intended for her, but

oneeame back towards the Oronteg instead. Then mines exploded, sending up huge fountains of spray and disturbing the eea for fathoms round about, and the operations ended with the explosion of six Bpar torpedoes, borne on board steam-launches; but this did not prove to be an imposing finish. , Thereupon both the Alberta and the Orontes slipped their moorings. Renewed cheers were given for the Queen, and, accompanied by a fleet of torpedo boats which were very skilfully manned alongside, we steamed back to Portsmouth Harbour, the band of the Royal Marines playing " The Death of Nelson " as we drew alongside the famous old Victory, As there wag no time for a visit to her, the guests took hearty leave of their entertaining hofte, got into a ppecial train that wag waiting at the jetty for them, and three hours later were back in London, after a day which they professed was full of enjoyment, in spite of bad weather.