The International Naval Festival at Portsmouth: arrival of the French fleet - the Solferino saluting the English flag, 1865. ...the flag of the Minister of Marine received a salute from the Victory, stationed in the harbour. This salute the Solferino, not wishing to be outdone in courtesy, returned with rigid punctuality, belching forth flame in rapid flashes, each discharge succeeded by a brief silence, which, although it might convey no compliment, was extremely grateful to civilian ears. From "Illustrated London News", 1865.