Cape Breton's Magazine

sia, running the gauntlet of enemy submarines on many occasions. The log reads: "When about 120 miles off the coast of Ireland, 2 P.M., sighted a submarine and opened fire. Continued firing until 3:30 when the submarine fell astern, apparently damaged by our fir? ing. Vessel steaming at utmost speed and all hands here standing by and on the look-out. No damage done to ship though the shots fell very close alongside and burst overhead...." Going back to 1897 in the log of the Pelican there is the record possi? bly of most interest to Sydney. Of Her Majesty's fleet it was the Peli? can which was detailed to Sydney at the time of the celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria, the ship being then under com? mand of Commander Arthur J. Horsely and in service after the sec? ond re-commissioning at Bermuda. On the 16th of June Battleship Pelican had arrived off Battery Point.... A local paper said: "Sydney's Big Day. No public demonstration in Sydney ever approached in splendor, arrangement and enthusiasm the celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee of the 22nd inst. The downpour of rain the previous day certainly interfered considerably with the decorations which our citizens so unitedly interested them? selves in, and no doubt kept a large number from outlying districts away from the celebration; yet the bright ushering in of the day ena? bled the citizens to make some preparations, and by 10 o'clock a few triumphal arches were raised as if by magic, beautifully festooned and bearing appropriate mottoes. In the early morning the streets were alive with young and old, adorning their dwellings and places of business with bunting, evergreens and suitable designs, and on eve? ry side were displayed choice and artistic mottoes commemorative of the occasion. "The booming of cannon from HMS Pelican began the day's ceremo? nies, and soon our streets were paraded by the 'Horribles,' to the in? tense amusement of the small boy and the octogenarian leaning up? on his staff. "At 11 o'clock sharp the local ceremonies of handing over the military grounds to become forever after the property of our citizens, and the converting and very suitably naming them 'Victoria Park' took place. At this juncture our much esteemed citizen, J. E. Burchell, Esq., with a few well-chosen words,handed over to Mayor Crowe the title deed of those beautiful grounds, whereupon the Mayor accepted the gift by reading the document and making a neat and effective address. The grand feature of this portion of the ceremony was the presence of the school children, who from an elevated platform sang several patriotic selections chosen for the occasion, which were exceedingly well and happily rendered. So touched was the gallant Commander Horseley of the Pelican with the rendition of the selections that at his special request Miss Ormond was called upon by Mayor Crowe to repeat the 'Maple Leaf.' On all sides the greetings and applause of the vast crowd went forth to the bright happy looking children and accom? plished teacher.... "Mr. McKeen spoke in fine form and in a most eloquent address touched upon the great event which drew together in the historic town the large assemblage of people before him. He referred in a masterly manner to the progress and advancement noticeable during the beneficent reign of our most gracious queen, the culture and training of our youth not being the least to be observed. Punctually at 12 o'clock noon, HMS Pelican and 17th Field Battery fired a royal sa? lute, and the morning's proceedings closed with the National Anthem sung by the school children and all those present. "At 2:30 sharp the procession formed and marched through the prin? cipal streets to the music of eight bands, all of which excelled in the rendering of their selections.... "On arriving at Victoria Park and forming around the large platform on which was assembled all the personages (school children sang and the bands played.) "The speeches of Meesrs Bown and McMullin were well received and each impressed most forcibly upon their hearers the great blessing attending total abstinence from strong drink. "The oration given by Professor Horrigan was one of the most elo? quent discourses it has ever been the pleasure of our people to hear. His fine presence, refined manner and polished speech, simply en? tranced his hearers; and the able and masterly style in which he treated the subject of his address, "Patriotism," held them spell bound to its conclusion. "Commander Horsely, in response to a call from the Mayor, spoke briefly and well in appreciation of the day's ceremonies, concluding his eloquent and patriotic speech by proposing three cheers for Her Ma? jesty the Queen, associating Canada which he claimed as the bright? est gems in her crown. The rousing hurrahs that went up from ten thousand throats at the call indicated the true and loyal British feeling The first choice for fine food and lodging on the Cabot Trail The Nonnaway is proud to be able to share a part of Cape Breton's culture. Enjoy traditional music by the fire side, nightly films on the area, a choice selection of Cape Breton books and records, traditional and contemporary Cape Breton music or thea? tre most spring and fall weekends, as weU as Elder Hostel travel learning programs. Look for youth concert ceilidh square dances starting in June. For more information write or phone: I NORMAWAY INN 902-248-2987 MORE Than the Best Soup in Town! Specializing in Homemade Soup ?? Salads ?? Sandwiches Deli Items ?? Fish Chowder ?? Burgers Fish & Chips ?? Desserts EAT IN or TAKE OUT • , charlotte St 350 Charlotte St. 564-4496 SYDNEY 562-5612 Ten new studies on the history of Cape Breton Island ranging from the North Atlantic world of the 18th century to the political and economic troubles of the 20th century. The book also has a comprehensive introduction ex? amining Cape Breton's vibrant cultural revival since the 1960's. Individual chapters consider the wreck of the Chameau in 1725, Scottish settlements and economic life in the early 19th century, the cultural awakening of the 1840's, the role of women in the Great War, the impact of immigration and industrialization on the urban centres, the fortunes of labour politics in the coal towns and the continuing crisis of public ownership in the steel industry. Contributors include Christopher Moore, Alex Storm, Stephen Hornsby, Rus? ty Bitterman, Ken Donovan, Michael Owen, Ron Crawley, A.J.B. Johnston, David Frank and Joan Bishop. A co-publication of University College of Cape Breton Press and Acadiensis Press. ISBN 0-919107-23-0 Paper $16.95 ISBN 0-919107-24-9 Cloth $29.95 To order: Send cheque or money order to University College of Cape Breton Press, P.O. Box 5300, Sydney, N.S., B1P 6L2, Shipping included.