The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-29
The Display ON the water.

The Display ON the Water.
New York, Oct. PA dense fog that thick
ened from early morning drizzling rain aud q
cutting northeasterly wind describes Liberty Day
upon the water. There was not a single ray of
sunlight to warm the hearts of the people of the
two great republics who are SO closely bound to-
gether by the action Of Lafayette in the great
struggle for freedom. and by the later work of
M. Barthold Despite the dull and dreary
weather, the people were not depressed. Thou
sands upon thousands of the patriotic citizens of
the cities of the Union were upon the waters of
New York harbor celebrating this great occa-
sion, the repetition Of which in the time of the
present generation is not probable They
seemed to glory in facing the drenching rain
and biting winds if they could but
participate in the proper celebration of the day.
Spectators who expected to enjoy the great naval
parade from the New York, New Jersey and
Long Island shores, were sadly disappointed for
1t was impossible to see at a greater distance
than quarter of mile on the water, because
of the density of the mist. In the early morn
ing, the fog was thick, and as the day older,
the weather grew thicker, so that at
noon il was almost impossible to dis
tinguish a vessel within a few hundred
feet At midday, the vessels that were to take
part In the great naval display were making their
appearance by the dozens, and then began the
work of assigning them positions in the line.
Finally they had secured the places assigned
them. All of the vessels lay north of Forty
seventh street, A few minutes after
j o'clock the gun to start was
fred. and the flagship Gedney weighed
anchor, swung round and started down stream
Close IN her wake followed the squadron of yes.
sells, all steamers. Had the day been fine the
naval parade must have been grand One fact
that was particularly noticeable was that all the
steamers of the English and German lines in the
slips along the river were decorated from stem
TO stern with ensigns and colors.
At las the leading vessels of the fleet entered
the upper bay, and, through the fog bank could
be discerned the pedestal of the immense statue
Five minutes later the Gedney had steamed up
SO close that Liberty Island was easily distin-
Euished, and then the torch Of the statue. where
the fog was thickest, doomed up. Upon the face
Of the great and majestic figure was the French
tri-color. At 2 o'clock the flagship of
the fleet anchored to the southwark
Of Liberty Island. Here was gathered q feet of
vessels that can be better imagined than de-
scribed. All manner of craft we're at anchor in
the waters about the great statue. The war ves-
sells came In for their share of attraction with
their tiers of black muzzles protruding from
either side. They lay in a line that extended
north and south. and were the Alliance Ten.
nessee jamestown, Yantic, Saratoga and Ports
mouth.
Shortly before 3 o'clock the United States
steamer Dispatch, with President Cleveland and
the Cabinet aboard, hove in sight, and as it did
the yard-arms of the war.ships were manned.
and IS the Dispatch passed each vessel the naval
salute was given by the sailors. and they de-
Ecended TO the deck. "a
AT 2:55 President Cleveland was rowed ashore
Then the whistles were blown. the guns of the
clipped. For exactly half an hour this was
kept M -