The sun., 1889-04-30
THE DESPATCH OFF WALL STREET.

people win one accord waved hats and hand
kerchiefs and cheered until they we're hoarse.
FALL IN!
Then the merchant feet began to close In
behind tho advancing Despatch From both
sides they came, forming a great crescent that
momentary grew and spread until 1t became
fan shaped, and so broad that to spectator
half way up the bay 1t seemed as II the vessels
Tapped huls 50 that ono might travel for n
mile from ship to ship across the bay.
Then the great pleasure fieet-the trim little
steamers OF the yachtsmen-wns reached ON
GERS and crews gathered at tho rail md saluted
the Presidents ship by dipping flags and re-
moving caps while tho yacht cannon added
their din.
At last the revenue cutter was reached and
cannon OF greater pretence began to boom. At
this the men stationed aloft on the spars OF the
war ships we're ordered out on the yards and
minute later still the cannon OF the white
huled Boston began their music.
HAD TO WHISTLE
Undor the inspiration OF the magnificent
spectacle and OF the swelling sounds. the pat
riotic pilots OF 900 steamers could no longer
obey the order to blow no whistles. A few of
the more enthusiastic had even before this
been footing to show how exuberantly joyful
they were. but now with ono accord every man
Wltulu Iedcu Ol IL WnlStle cOTu RThbpeu II anu
gavo vigorous pull. and the screams and
wills and bellowinGs Of thousand steam
whistles mingled in one discordant roar. which
rose TO its utmost height and then fell. only to
rise again and again, so long as the Despatch
was beside the war ships. 1t diad out whom
she headed AWAY for the East River, but broke
forth intermittently until she anchored of
TIE foot Of Wall street.
Under the influence OF this wonderful Spec
tacle around them and harassed by the con-
tinunl blowing OF the whistles. it Is likely that
the most unique exhibition Of patriotism ever
seen anywhere escaped the notice OF the
greater part OF the multitudes afoat To the
fishermen Of New Jersey is duo the credit OF
this unique spectacle. In half dozen parts Of
the bay were long rows Of shad net poles rising
from six to twelve feet above the water. With
out exception every shad pole was decorated
with an American flag OF appropriate size.
OH. WHAT A JAM IN THE EAST RIVER!
AS THE Sun had predicted. a feet Of vessels
preceded tho Despatch to the East River.
where tho President was to be landed Steam
ers and tugs gathered in a solid phaanx oppo-
site Pier II. above the slip through which the
President was % pass. until nearly score were
abreast. rail to rail. A like phalanx gathered
at Pier 1G. Above below. and all around these
was q mass of laIbor steamers too great to
count 1t seemed impossible that tho Despatch
should work her way In through that host to
anchorage.
But somehow. no ono could see Just how It
was done the thronG of steamers ahead OF
her made way and opened a channel. and she
was able to reach her berth. n cables length
from the pier. ut not far from "a o'clock. The
rattle OF the anchor chain as she dropped her
nook was lost in the din N ade by the vessels
around her.
Ihen came the problem of the day: How
were these elderly merchant skippers to row
the President ashore =?
Who're the tugs and steamers were In line of
tho end of each pier there wns channel of
the slip: but even this was closed up at inter-
walls by some tug Captain, anxious for better
berth. working away from those beside him.
Beyond these two solid lines OF steamers there
was q restless rowing thronG not one of which
remained still for moment.
Tho policemen on tho pier heads. melted by
SerGeants and under the inspiring eye OF In
spcctor Williams. few Mt the crews OF the tugs
next to tho pier. AS THE SUN foretold. the
vessels We're beyond the power Of the police
Tho tugs remaired. and even Inspector Will
liams had at last found n throng that he could
not handle.
SO tho crowd Of vessels grew denser hnd the
risk OF an accident to the President greater.
PASDEMoSIUM OF WHISTLES.
At precisely 12:47 commoion on a big
lighter at the end OF Pier l6's line OF steamers
attracted attention. A moment later and the
little steam launch OF the Despatch was seen
working its way through the rush Of steamers
with its pitfully weak whistle blowing petu-
lantly. handsome gray haired man with q
full gray beard sat in the stern. The mob
the man was the President. The
news spread like wildhre and in a moment
broke loose. Men who tried to
speak to each other screaming at the top OF
their voices were unable to hear word. Tens
OF thousands OF people were Obliged to stop
their ears from very pain. Hundreds pleaded
with the pilots to stop. but not until the launch
passed into the 81 lp did the noise cease.
Then the launch reappeared and behold !
There We're the anciont mariners in all their
glory going out to row the President asho In
tho Dcspatch's barge.
Iretty soon the barge itself appeared. with
more civilians in tho stern, one OF whom was (,
gray bearded, True sailors wero at the oars, |
but the mob Concluded that the ancient |
mariners had a. andoned the project. For nve |
minutes more tho whistle reIgneh supreme.
Then tho large came ont OF the slip again |
and once more the steam launch started for the |
pier, 1t was another water haul for the steam
skippers as before but host of them were 80
sure they were right about having seen the
President land that perhaps fifty vessels left
for the parade up East Rivor
At last a somewhat loss obstructed route
than had hitherto heon formed by tho small
boats was opened. The old sailor men, who
had beenIcarred 10 the Despatch from the pier.
got into their barge, the sailors manned the
yards, and In a trice tho deed was done. and
down came the Presidents flag from the main.
THE JOE THOMPSON ISTERvESEs.
Then sailing boldly into the throng Of steam
ers that pulled and backed 10 and fro over
every fathom Of water off the foot OF Wall
street came tho Ashng soop Joe Thomp-
son. There was not a ships length OF clear
water ahead OF her nor on either side nor
behind, but hor skipper stood calmly at tho til
ler smoking his pipe. and now and
then calling the attention OF one or an
other OF the dozen spectators on her
deck TO interesting sights about them. The
jtb alone OF tho sloop's sails was spread to the
breeze and even its sheet was Stacked away
80 that 1t drew but gently. and there was a
and deliberation about tho sloop's
that fitted well with tho bearing OF
eli al