The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-04-28

40 eye COuiu pierce the gray thickness.
where the dark waters wallowed about
their sides and sullenly washed at PROV
and stern. But as the day broadened two
rows of bristling vessels were at length re-
vealed. though dimly at best. for the per-
sistent spring-tide rain was falling and dis
tances we're uncertain and indistinct.
One Of the most painful results of tho
storm was the wilted, forlorn condition of
many Of the beautiful decorations on
buildings throughout the city. All tho
fine effect of yesterday had passed away.
The water-soaked bunting, the dull and
leaden skies above. the flags on the house
tops floating heavily in tho breeze, all had
depressing effect After awhile all New
York aroused for tho holiday, only to find
steady downpour of rain ushering in tho
day OF the great naval parade, and some
hundreds of thousands who had arranged
to view the grandest marine spectacle ever
presented in American waters, If not in
the world. were disappointed. The rain
did not keep all at home, however. There
was q steady stream toward North river
all morning, and hundreds of excursion
boats, steam yachts, tugs and other craft
filled with sightseers. were not kept at
homo by Farmer Dunn's disgraceful
weather. Other crowds sought places
along the docks, on tho tops of buildings
and at Riverside Park, plodded through
mud and stood in pools Of water with
umbrellas and mackintoshes weeping in
proportion to the wet.
There was great disappointment on the
squadron. The crack ships of ten nations
had been put in readiness for their part in
the celebration. Their hulls had been
painted. their decks holystoned, the brass
work polished and the guns cleaned for
salutes. On board Of these the rain was
most unwelcome. 1t drenched the decks
and rigging. and hung in pearly drops
from the brasswork. Dress uniforms were
abandoned for storm coats, and the Jack
Ta.s. instead of being in holiday rig were
in every day attire. As early as o'clock
the naval vessels, however, began to put
on holiday attire. The United States flag
was run up to every masthead on all the
American and foreign vessels, and lines of
steamers followed this action, soon trans
forming what had been . collection of bare
poles into q gaily bedecked forest of masts.
The first ceremonies of the day were the
mastering Of the naval reserve of New
York and of Massachusetts, on the piers at
the foot of Forty-eighth and Forty-ninth
streets. 1t took place at 8 a. m. sharp and
Immediately afterward tho tugs and
steamers to which the reserve was assigned
steamed to their post. The Massachu.
sets reserve arrived on the steamer Con.
necticut at the foot of Forty-eighth street
at O'Clock this morning. Soon after the
officers and men in charge Of the training
ship Minnesota went aboard the Connecti.
cut and all together awaited the gathering
of the New York men. At 8 a, m. the
men-of war in the feet hoisted their colors.
a single salute being fired. The river in
an instant presented the only bit of pleas.
ing color in dismal day. At the same
moment Assembly" was sounded on the
piers and the reserves were quickly in
line. On each ting was placed . man who
presented colors and after the roll call the
lines marched aboard.
Just as everyone was expecting the pro.
gramme to be carried on, word was passed
around that the review had been post.
poned till p. m. and the signal boat
Cushing pushed out from the pier and
made the rounds of the vessels, notifying
the commanders of the change. As soon
as the facts had been learned the excur-
sion steamers put back to the docks amid
considerable grumbling on the part Of the
passengers who had much discomfort to
no purpose. Later. as the time for the
ceremonies set approached, they put out
on the water again.
Promptly at / O'Clock President Cieve-
land and party left the Victoria hotel,
drove TO the dock, embarked on the
steamer Dolphin and steamed away to re.
view the squadron in spite OF the still un-
favorable weather.
There had been naval reviews of an In.
ternationaI character before, but none 50
striking as this. There was one at Genoa,
Columbus birthplace. last year, at which
vessels representing thirteen nations par
ticipated, but only twenty-seven vessels
were in line. mostly secon0-class IRON
clads. Great Britain. France and Germany