The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-04-28

NEW YORK, April 27.-Rlin on the roof,
rain on 10000 roofs, rain washing the side
walks and pavements, rain pricking the
river surface into a rash of white spater,
rain wetting the decks of the pulseleSs war
monsters riding at anchor; wetness above,
moisture below, permeating, saturating
everything, everywhere-such were the
conditions Of early morning about this
fag-coTered, bunting-decked city. In the
night 4 storm that had stolen over the
Jersey hills wrapped the sQuadrons on the
river, settled down on the city and blotted
cut the dark brow of the sea from the view
OF the people ashore.
Out on the bosom of the lordly Hudson
River somewhere in the dense gray fogs.
the uavies of the nations were softly chafed
by the uneasy tides; but to those asiir as
daylight wore off the edge of night the
ships had been spirited away in the dark
ness and no eye could pierce iuto the gray
thickness where the black waters wallowed
about their iron sides and sulIenly splashed
az prOw and stern. But as the day broad
ened two rows of bristliDg vessels were at
length revealed, though dimly at best for
the persistent ! spring tide of rain
falling made the distances uncertain and
indstnct.
One Of the most painful results of the
storm was the wilted, forlorn condition of
the many beautiful decorations on the
buildings throughout the city. All the fine
effect of yesterday has passed away. The
water-soaked bunting was as duh as the
leadeu skies above, and the flags on the
housetOps ioated heavily in the stiff breeze.
After while all New York was aroused
for the holiday, only to find steady down.
pour of rain usherIng in the day for the
great naval parade, and some hundreds OF
thousands who had arranged 20 view the
grandest marine spectacle ever presented
in American waters, if not in the world,
were disappointed.
While the heavy rain kept thousands of
women and children at home who had
made arrangements TO witness the review
either on land or the boats on the river,
the public turned out in multtudes to see
the show. Protected with waterproofs
and umbrellas, the people boldly proceeded
TO the various boat landings at the ap-
pointed hour aud huddled together in the
cabins of the boats. But for the rain many
boats would have been greatly oYercrowded.
Little time was lost in getting under way,
and soon after 10 o'clock there was a Jam
of steamboats, Of every description along
the west bank of North River opposite
where the two lines of vessels were lying
at anchor.
There was a steady stream toward th
North River all morning, and hundreds of
excursion boats. steam yachts, tugs and
other craft filled with sightseers were not
kept at home by Farmer Dunn's disgrace
ful weather. Other crowds sought places
along the docks. on the tops of buildings
and at Riverside Park; they podded
81 .,,-T
with umbrellas and mackintoshes weeping
in proportion TO the wet
The ships lay al anchor with their prows
cutting the infowing tide There was
scarcely sign of life pefcep;ible on the
decks of one of the men-of-war at o'clock
There was no glitter of bright work, no
white or blue jackets and no sign of bunt-
ing except on the fagships Of the various
sQuadrOns, which flung to the breeze the
ensign indicating The presence of a naval
potentate.
Then the signs OF life began to appear
ard the fleet began to awaken 10 life
Yellow-coated taIs moved along the decks,
with raindroDs pattering on their oiskins
and dropped into naphtha launches or
wbaleboais OF gigs.
Dark forms appeared on the decks OF the
warshiDs, marching with steady tread back
and forth with the precision Of automatons
They were marines On guard. and all night
they had kept their vigil through the rain
and mist. There was no sun to give glitter
70 their musket-barrels, which they held
with the muzzles pointing down toward the
decks.
On the elevations along the river front
eager sightseers clad in mackintoshes and
carrying umbrellas began 10 arrive before
-
the outlines of Uncle Sans fleet, lying well
over toward the brown shores and rugged
heights of Jersey. could just be discerned
As the minutes passed the scene grew
more enlivened. Long whaleboats filled
with brouzed tars of all nations and climes
swept ont from their ships on errands TO
the shore or to some other warship in the
two long lines At 1880 o'clock excursion
boats from up the river began to come
down loaded with passengers, all eager to
be on hand early and miss nothing.
Regardless of the regulations these roll
licking craft passed between the foreign
fee! and the Manhattan shore, with their
flags strung ont and limp. but their pas.
seDgers enthusiastic. As one small excur-
siOn-boat passed the fleet her deckload of
sghtseers mad the temerity to cheer the
big English flagship Blake again and again.
The only answer was the raising Of score
of sou'westers along the port rail Of the big
English ship.
Suddenly, as II by magic, the whaleboats
disappeared. the naDhtha launches ceased to
skim about, and everything became quiet.
It appeared to the landsman as if the men
of-warsmen were at breakfast or perhaps at
prayers. II was not so. however, for on the
quarterdecks, amidships and in the fore
castle could be seen the forms of sailors
busy at s0mething-just what could not be
seen from the shore.
Then there was an awakening. ring
the bell eight" 'Man the signal hslyards," ="
was voiced on every vessel.
There was a clang Of bells. each warship
sending a resounding alarm across the river
Clang, clang elang. clang, cang, clang,
clang.
The Philadelphla's bell first awoke the
echoes, then the Blake's bell took up the
music that told of the awakening of the
naval day, and then the whole fecPs bells
ali along the line announced what would
have been the changing OF the watch at sea.
Before the last echoes of the smartly
struck bells had died away shrill chorus
Of whistles began. II was the boatswain's
pipe and q magical result followed. In an