The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-04-29
A Steamboat Excursion Around
San Francisco Harbor.
ALL THE SHIPPING DECORATED
Warship Monterey Launched, Mrs.
Harrison Giving the Signal.
Hrs. Eston's Condition Improved-Gov.
Pennoyer. Of Oregon, Tries to Make
Amends-seattle to Be Visited .
Week From Today.

SAX Francisco, April 2S.-Before the
president left here this morning he held q.
reception at the Palace hotel, which w3s,
attended by over 100 clergymen of all de-
nominations, of this city and Oakland.
Postmaster General Wanamaker in
spccted the postofice, which had been pre-
viousiy decorated in honor of the occasion,
and was introduced to the heads of the
different departments. A number of post
masters from interior towns were also
present. He then reviewed the letter
carriers and made q short address, which
was loudly cheered. He then drove to
the steamer and joined the president on
the excursion.
The morning OF the presidents marine
excursion opened with fog enveloping the
shores of the bay, but as the forenoon wore
on the fog lifted and left the harbor spark
ling in sunlight. Along the water front
the numerous decorations which had been
placed on the houses and shipping on the
day of the presidents arrival here were
retouched and augmented, and many
vessels not previously decorated had
string of flags huttering in the wind. The
yacht clubs of San Francisco, Sausalito,
Tiburon and neighboring towns had also
decked their lighthouses and vessels,
which did much to eniiven the scene in
the vicinity of the Golden Gate.
Out in the stream the cruiser Charleston
was resplendent in a new dress, and was
one of the most conspicuous objects in the
bay. The City of Puebla, the steamer
which was to convey the presidential party
on the excursion, the steamer Haytien
Republic, and other large vessels were also
decorated from stem to stern. Notwith-
standing the announcement that the in
vitations to accompany the president on
the Puebla were limited to 500 in number,
the committee having charge of the ex-
cursion were besieged with applications
from fully 5000 persons who, being unable
to secure the coveted billets, crowded the
steamers Ukiah and Garden City, the tugs
Relief, Ethel and Marion, and numerous
smaller craft which dotted the bay, so that
at the hour of the presidents embarkation
accompany him on the trip.
At 1870 O'Clock the Puebla steamed out
into the bay from the Broadway wharf,
and was soon followed by the warship
Charleston. the government steamers
Rush and Madrona, carrying the federal
officials, and the revenue cutters Hassler
and Corwin, with custom-house officials.
As the Puebla passed these vessels, which
had formed line about 800 yards apart,
salute was fired and band which
bad been stationed on the
Puebla played patriotic airs. After
the government vessels had swung
into line, the other steamers and craft
conveying unofficial excursionists made
haste to follow, and with the white sails
of yachts skimming the sea, the pageant,
from marine point of view, has never
been excelled in the bay of San Francisco.
The route followed by the Puebla extended
from Broadway wharf, along the north
west line of the city front to Fort Point,
west of the whistling buoy, stopping to
view the forts and military sites, which
greeted the president with salute of can
non as the vessels passed.
During the whole time that the Puebla
was steaming down the bay the president
stood on the bridge. having q pair of
marine glasses, through which he scanned
varies objects of interest which were
pointed out to him. He was constantly
surrounded by group of army and navy
officers, and apparently found great en-
joyment in the trip. He responded to
the salutes of the different vessels
he passed by removing his hat
and bowling. The original intention was
to pass through the Golden Gate and steam
nine miles out to sea, but when the Puebla
reached the heads a strong breeze was
blowing and the sea was rough. Accord
ingly, at the presidents request, the
steamer turned around and returned to
smooth water in the vicinity of Sausalito
and Angel island, where an hour or two
was spent in cruising around, and in the
meantime lunch was served.
About o'clock the Puebla headed for
the Union Iron Works. The vessels which
had been lying in the stream waiting for
her got under way and followed in her
wake. The marine procession was several
miles in length. At the Union Iron
Works the Puebla was received with the
blowing of whistles at the factory and on
all the steamers lying there. The cruiser
Charleston, which had followed the presid-
ent's steamer all day, anchored short
distance from the Puebla. The president
was taken off in a tug, and paid an official
visit to the Charleston, being received by q
national salute when he boarded the YES
sci, and also when he took his departure.
BY this time the bay for mile in everv
direction from the Union Iron Works was
studded with vessels of every description,
upon whose decks there were fully 2O,OOo
people who had come there to witness the
launching of the armored coast defense
vessel Monterey. In addition TO those on
the vessels, there were probably 1000
people who witnessed the launching from
the shores. Every housetop and street
and every hillside overlooking the
iron works yard, as we'll as
the yard itself, We're literally covered
with people. Never was such interest
taken or such enthusiasm displayed at
any similar event in this part of the
country. On shore and on the bay there
was perfect sea of flags and bunting. and
for some time before the launching
occurred there was \ continuous screech-
ing of steam whistles. TO which was added
the music of scores of bands on excursion
steamers. A small platform had been
built around the bow of the vessel, and on
this were the presidential party and other
distinguished guests, and also band from
the navy yard.
At 80 Mrs. Harrison pressed the cleo
trio button which sent the vessel down the
ways. 4 navy band played the national the
rs she glided TO the water, and Immediately
there burst forth the greatest noise from
steamer whistles and fog sirens ever heard
in that locality. 10 which was
added the laundering sound of the
Charleston's guns as she fired
national salute. Cheer after cheer arose
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