Daily national Republican. (Washington City [D.C.]) 1870-1872, 1872-08-27
GREELEY AND BROWN. THE POTOMAC ABLAZE
Complimentary Serenade and lllumi-
nation to the Potomac Boat Club,
The Affair a Decided saccoss,


Ass tho custom every year, the olliIsnS Of
usorgsioWn last night extended TO the Potomac
boat club complimentary seronsie and illu.
mInatlon on tho river front Of our sister city,
and during the past two weeks great prepare.
lions had been made for the event. To make
the affair o success the arrangements were left
with Mr.. Anthony ROdler, who has had great
experience In such matters, and this gentleman
Immediately set TO work to get everything In
readiness 50 that At an appointed hour tho Illu-
minated feet could start without tho least de.
Iay, II was tho Intention OF the projectors Of
this movement IN have the nur take place two
weeks ago, hut they were disappointed In con.
sequence OF the Indictment state Ut tho weather,
and last night was finally set TOT the oyoni.
THK START.
Ats o'clock promptly tho signal vas made for
tho start, and the feet, cUn'i'iipE VI the
schooner v lillian Henry from AlcNl adriA,
towed by tho steamer D. q Wheeler both OF
which were illuminated with bhlneso lanterns
In yarIhgatcd cOlOrs, stAftTl tpm their moor,
ing into the stream, amid tho music " tho
Marine hand, which was stationed upon the
steamer. when tho head Of the hSot he
reached the channel Il was IDincl by row boats
fairly ablAEs with light, ant snbn thereafter
the fleet started for the AIuf iuoL bridge, tho
band playing all the while.
on the trip up the river rockets anil O'her
fireworks were sent of from the head oG the
neet, and the small boats following. which pre-.
scented n scene indescrloable. when tho line Of
boats reached the Aquoduct a halt WaA made
aud tho band played several airs, A turn was
made down the river towards the Potomac boat
house. and by this time the various vessels
ALoNu THE wHARvEs
had begun TO light up, and tbs reflection from
these lights revealed that the crafts were
crowded With human beings who seemed TO be
Inspired with tho occasion. Upon the bOais
reaching these crafts hearty cheers went forth.
All along
rHg RIVER
al this time additional crafts made their ap-
pearance, decorated from stgm to stern with
lights, which aided To the already brilliantly
illuminated stream. When the feet hal reached
ANALOsTAN ISLAND
II was met with burning flame all along tho
front daEEllng to tho eyes. On spod this tiery
feet until II reached tho
POTOMAC BoAT HOUSE,,
where the boys had their building Illuminated
with all varieties Of lights, aud on tho wharf
the members sont up fireworks Of the most beau.
band played several airs; AFTER witch the boats
were agGlu headed up the stream when they
proceeded along slowly up u tho Aqueduct and
again tuIded and wendell their way down the
river,
On tho pla I'D Potomac tar barrels on RATS
were anOat afro, and hero and there could be
seen crowds Of men 10 crafts Of their own con.
atruotiOn, with nrC works and torches 10 add 70
already brilliant scenes About 1880 o'clock
tho ceremony concluded, and the mass OF hu.
manity, which had gathered along tho shore To
witness the scenes, started for their homes, eN.
pressing the opinion that this was tho most sue
Nossiul illumination ever held on tho Potomac.
To the OrIginAtors and 10 the gentlemen who
had tho AnAlr ln charge too much praise cannot
be awarded for their earnestnoss In tho work.