The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-09-10
A NATIONS HOMAGE.
John EricssOn's Body Enroute
to His Native Sweden.
Honoring the Man Who Invented
the Monitor.

With rites and honors that signified the
Difference and gratitude Of the nation and
the pride in his achievements of Swedish
Americans, the remains of Captain John
Ericsson were transferred from vault in the
New York City Marble Cemetery to the
United States war ship Baltimore, which will
convey the body to Sweden. The event was of
international Importance The removal was
at the request of Sweden, and its accomplish
ment with such distinguished honors must
crafty the Government and people Of Swe-
den and conduce to friendship between the
two countries. The demonstrations on land
and water were on scale and Of an i'm
pressiveness worthy Of an historic event.
At tnoon flags were displayed at half-mast
on the City Hall, Federal buildings and on
many buildings on Broadway. all along the
route of the procession, on the war ships
and other craft in the harbor. The
box containing Captain Ericsson's cas-
ket was taken out from the vault
and the casket and box were placed in a
great box Of antique oak, with gold-plated
handles. The outer box was sealed her.
metically. It rested for three hours on two
black-covered stools directly in front Of the
displayed on the Monitor during the Merrf-
mac fight and by Swedish flag.
At O'Clock the Scandinavian societies en-
tered the Cemetery and began the ceremony
Of removal by singing in fine unison and
harmony the ''SwedisE War Prayer
Eight stalwart sailors, every one Of whom
was over six feet in height, then carried the
box to the hearse. preceded by Secretary of
the Swedish Legation b. j. Beck Frue, Lieu
tenant Mark, of the Philadelphia, who was
in command at the cemetery, and followed
I,v,, s41As. e
posts and the veterans survivors of the crew
that manned the Monitor in the fight with
the Merrimac.
About 5000 men were in line and great
crowd of people thronged the streets about
the cemetery and along the line Of march.
Many flags and emblems were displayed
from residences and places of business.
The procession was headed by platoon of
police
The Navy Yard band followed, and next
were the marines who preceded the hearse.
which was escorted by Hans Anderson, who
served on the Monitor; Morris Kane, Charles
F. O'Neill and John Williams, seamen on the
monitor Passaic; Daniel Leech, of the Patap-
SEQ, and B. s. Osbon, of the Montauk.
After the hearse, the guests, headed by
Secretary of the Navy Tracy and Rear Ad-
miral John L. Worden, rode in carriages
and they were followed by the various lodges
and societies, and @. A. r. and Odd Fellows
divisions.
The various warships formed line from
opposite Ellis Island down the bay, almost
to Staten Island. The big white cruiser Bal
timore, which is carrying the body Of the
great inventor to the land Of his birth, was
anchored just about the east of Ellis Island.
Her cleaning sides made her the most con.
spicuous figure of the magnificent panorama
which was spread out before the spectators
on the Battery.
At half. past two o'clock the parade arrived
at the square at the west of Battery Park,
and the hearse containing the remains Of the
inventor was driven on to the pier. 1t stopped
opposite the gangway of the Nina. Secre-
tary Tracy and all the naval officers then
boarded the tug and stood in group around
uncovered. while eight sailors transferred
the casket with the body from the hearse to
the same.
All the floral emblems were put on board,
the invited guests boarded the Catalpa, the
order was given to cast OF and both tugs
moved slowly away from the dock. The men
of-war boats took positions in advance and
on each side of the two tugs and in this
order the procession proceeded out to the
Baltimore. When the tugs left the dock the
monitor Nantucket began firing minute guns
and this was kept up until the Baltimore
was gotten under way.
When the Nina arrived alongside the
Baltimore she stopped abreast the star
were all standing at quarters, the marines
being drawn up on the side aft and the blue
jackets forward.
Commander Sch!ey received Admiral
Brown, who stepped on board the cruiser.
He was followed by all those on both tugs.
The body was then hoisted on board in a
cat.sling hung from the mainyard. As soon
as it was lowered to the deck the marines
presented arms all present uncovered and
three rolls were sounded on muffled drums.
Then the boatswain's whistle sounded
'heave short" Farewells were quickly said,
the guests hurried on board the tugs, and as
the latter cast off the Swedish flag was
.hOistad st ths- fore peak. Five minutes
later the anchor of the cruiser was out
of the water, and she started slowly down
the harbor, surrounded by feet Of some
two hundred small boats, tugs, excursion
steamers and all manner Of sailing craft.
As soon as the Baltimore was fairly under
way the guns in Castle William on Cover
nors Island bslched forth the national salute
of twenty-one guns. This was repeated by
every one of the feet of war ships at anchor
as the Baltimore passed them.
In SnOrC time Sne was In Gne lower Day
and gradually faded from view.
The Baltimore will 60 directly to Sweden,
but, owing to a request from the Swedish
she will go'to Gothenburg in
stead of Stockholm. She will be met outside
the harbor by Swedish feet and her recep-
ton will be most elaborate.
Captain Schley will give up the body to
the United States Minister, and he in turn
will deliver it to the Swedish Government.
The final obsequies will be of magnificent