Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-08
Correspondence Of The Evening Star.

vrus-socIAL couRrEslEs EXTENDED oyrIcERs.
Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
NEW YORK, August Z. 1891.
II there is a single American reader OF The
STAR who is not proud of the white squadron
then he is not . true American, for as the six
new war ships swung at their moorings today in
North river they formed a magnificent scene.
Last Monday the squadron got under way and
escorted the Despatch. with Secretary Tracy on
board from New London to Watch Hill Then
up went signal Of half dozen CANDY flags to
the topsail yard-arm Of the Despatch. The
secretary had given the squadron permission
to leave the Despatch and proceed to New
York. The signal was answered by the Chi
cago and, with a parting salute, the helms went
over and the long line went Ito the rear and
stood down the sound for New York Down
past Fishers Island that stands like a sentinel
at the entrance. where the recent maneuvers
with the New York naval reserves took place:
past the entrance TO the beautiful harbor Of
New London, on the Thames, and. keeping close
TO the Connecticut shore, on past picturesque
Mantle and the mouth of the Connecticut river.
HOW A TOWN WAS NAMED.
Here, at the mouth of a beautiful stream, in
the middle of the seventeenth century. Lord
Say and Lord Brook each decided to found q
city to commemorate his name. At slightly
dlferent times they visited the place and by
some strange chance they both decided on pre-
ciseiy the same site. When the time approached
the workmen from both parties arrived and a
dispute arose. Neither of the high magnates
would give an inch for fear that the pro-
verbal mile might be taken; so to end the
struggle they called the town Say Brook, aud
to this day the pretty village of Saybrook marks
the spot OF the strange contest. Another, who
wished town to be founded through his zeal,
but less vain, and not SO anxious that 1t should
bear his own name crossed the river ard
founded the beautiful town Of Lynn, named
after his own home in ''Merrie England" With
their broad streets shaded by grand old elm
trees and the stately old colonial homes set
back from tine highways, these old towns form
the most picturesque scenes Of New England.
The New York lacht Club was just starting on
its annual cruise and the lower part OF the
sound was full Of the white winged sloops and
schooners and the swift little steamers that
make yachting such charming sport.
That night. after an easy run OF eighty miles,
the squadron anchored at Execution Rock, just
thirty miles firm New York. The days run had
taken us past New Haven, with its memories
OF Yale and higher education. past the more
modern city Of Bridgeport, and the charming
summer retreat at Black Rock. Early Tuesday
morning, before the sun had scattered the fog
that hung over the headlands and dimmed the
outline OF she Long Island shore, the squadron
was under way again. At 10 in the morning
we passed through He'll Gate and down East
river. The banks of the river were lined with
people anxious to get IA glimpse Of the squadron
actually under way; fiags on every passing
steamer and sailing vessel and on the numer-
GUS vessels tied at their moorings dipped in sa-
lutte as each white ship went by.
An OPTICAL DELusIoN.
The great suspension bridge was then right
ahead, and here, standing on the deck Of Ligh-
masted steamer, may be seen one Of the strangest
optical delusions OF which l know As the
ship approaches the bridge to one looking up
at the masts and the bridge it seems that the
former are much higher and that they must
surely be torn away as the vessel passes under
the huge structure. The feeling that the musts
must go grows on one, and it is only when the
ship passes under whole and safe that one
realizes that there is plenty OF room at the
top to spare for any vessel whose masts are
less than l60 feet high.
As the squadron passed the navy yard in
Brooklyn, where the Bennington il receiving
her finishing touches and the immense battle
ship Maine Is having her armor placed the
navy yards saluting guns doomed out a salute
OF seventeen guns to Admiral Walker, who Just
at present, though the junior admiral Of the
| navy, has the largest command ahoat under
our stars and stripes. By IL the ships were all
| anchored in North river the dynamite cruiser
Vesuvlus ut one end OF the line and the flag
ship Chicago at the other, with the Newark
Boston, Yorktown, Concord and Atlanta be-
tween them. The Baby" as the swift little
| torpedo boat Gushing is called, Rugged close
into the Jersey shore and dropped her di-
minutive anchor. A few minutes later the COM
handing officers arrayed in the splendor and
gold OF dress uniform. left their respective
ships and reported on board the flag ship, where
the arrangements for the coming cruise down
east were made.
The squadron will leave New York on the
18th instant for Newport. Remaining there
about a week they will sail for Boston and
thence to Bar Harbor, returning to New York
about the middle Of September. There are no
more naval militia on this coast and think the
officers OF the squadron are heartily glad Of it,
for the work of drilling new hands is hard
work at best, and when the drills last from 9
a. m. till pm. the work is rather uninviting.
There is Il great deal Of talk about the squad
ron going to Europe in October, but as vet
nothing definite is published. Some repairs
| will be needed before foreign cruise ID un-
dertaken. The Newarks captain has asked to
| have the ship taken into dry dock for some re-
pairs and improvements; the Atlantas bottom
| is very foul, as some new anti-foulng paint re-
| Gently tried has not worked by any means; the
Yorktown's electric plant is partially burnt out
and the Boston requires some repairs on her
engines and pumps.
THE SOCIAL SIDE OF THE CRUISE
The social side OF the present cruise has been
quite pleasant. On Saturday evening the city
of New London gave ball to the officers of the
city. The building tastefully decorated
and large crowd was there to receive the naval
representatives. At $50 Admiral Walker, at
| the head of about eighty officers in full dress
uniform. marched into the hall and was pre-
scented to the mayor of the city and the presi-
dent Of the chamber Of commerce. An orches-
ira and military band stood watch and
watch" delivering charming dancing music
Huge bowls Of fragrant punch and champagne
by the dozen thanked an elegant supper, and
the ball was such complete success that it did
not break up till -four bells in the mid watch"
| or at 2 am. Sunday morning-yet, in the navy,
Sunday docs not begin till eight bells in the
morning. So this a naval ball no one
need feel that his church VOWS were broken by
dancing on Sunday. On Wednesday morning
at ii 80 the chamber of commerce gave break
| fast to Admiral Walker and the officers of the
squadron. Quite a number of distinguished
people besides the naval officers were present
and speeches and toast making were the order
Of the hour. Mayor Hewitt brilliantly re.
viewed the course Of the squadron and the
great good it had done in bringing the navy
prominently before the people 30 that they
might actually see what is being done in the
way OF new navy" that is so much talked of.
The squadron while steaming from one port
to another on her coming cruise ''down east
will 60 through long list of squadron maneu-
yers at sea, and for this purpose il is
divided into two divisions-the Chicago New
ark and Concord in the first, with the Boston,
Atlanta and Yorktown in the second. The We
suyius and Cushing dispoaed one eacl,