The Portland daily press., 1895-01-01
ESTABLISHED JUNE 23, IS64--VOL. 81.
CASTINGS GREAT DAY.
Had a Section of the Navy All to
Itself.
And Dined and Danced the Officers to
the Content of All-The Fruit Bowl
Easy,

Presented and the Ancient Town ReSts
Easy.
Castine, Me-. Dec ember 3l.-The gunboai
Castine at last has her pretty silver gift
that the citizens of this place have been
treas uring tor her SO long and SO pa
tiently.
A boom of the big cannon from the wha IF
announced that after long year of delays
she was coming for her own and the people
focked to greet her.
Away off by Dice's Head thetrim cru is
er, gently dipping her looming white sides
to the frothing waves. sent back an an
swering boom and then the decorations
from shore and ship replied. each to each
until the national salute OF twenty-one
guns had been fred. Then the cruiser
rounded to in the broad harbor and with a
mighty Iattlng of iron links sent her cable
roaring through the hawse-pipes and quiet
ly rode at anchor.
AS soon as practicable, the committee of
arrangements chosen by the citizens of
Castine went on board the visitor and con-
ferred with Commander Ferry. All details
we've settled with his approval, and the
committee and other citizens accompany
ing Inspected the vessel with much interest.
Later. the populaoe in general looked over
the craft, now ready for her three years.
cruise.
The purpose of the gunboats' visit to
Castine is. as is generally known. to
RECEIVE THE SILVER BOWL
presented oy the citizens. The public ex-
ecrises of the day occurred at Town hall.
to which Commander Perry and his staff
were escorted utter disembarking. Owing
to the season there was no formal parade,
the citizens who had thronged to the place
of landing merely failing in'' behind the
guests of honor and the reception commit
tee. The commander and staff were in full
uniform, glittering chapeaux. white gloves
and with swords swinging at their sides.
They were escorted to the seats of honor in
the hall, under the admiring eyes OF the
Castine populace. who already filed the
auditorium.
After music followed by an invocation by
local clergyman. Mr.. William H. Witherle,
chairman of the committee of arrenge-
ments invited the attention of the assem-
blage to the purposes for which they were
met. He explained the teeling of gratifica-
tion that was generally entertained in town
when it was knowL that the historic name
of Castine had been selected for the
gunboat. Mr.. WItherle then briefly re-
viewed the work of the committee of which
he had served as chairman and concluded
his remarks by introducing Dr. George A.
Wheeler, chairman of the board of select
men, who
WELCOMED THE COMMANDER AND
Hrs gTAEE
to the hospitalities of the town.
Commander Perry responded fttingly and
gracefully to Mr.. Dresser's speech. thank
ing the citizens in the name of the govern
ment whose representative he was. He as
sured the donors that the gift should ever
occupy the prominent place in the state
cabin of the Castine as the town and its
people would ever hold in the hearts of
himself and his staff.
THE OTHER EVENTS.
At the conclusion of these interesting ex-
ercises dinner was served at the Pento-
goet house. Circumstances did not favor
public banquet ,as had been suggested, and,
therefore. the seats were limited to two
score, those partaking being the officers of
the gunboat, prominent guests and repre-
sentative citizens.
The officers were taken to the grim
heights of old Fort George, whose bastions,
breastworks and broad. level parade ground
still remain, almost as the British left them
at the final evacuation. The visitors were
also conducted to other points of interest
and visited some of Castine's hospitable
homes during the day.
A public reception at Town hall in the
evening, season of general Introductions
and handshaking, with ball. winds up
this merry after-clap of Castine's Christ
mas-tide.
The entire event was an interesting, jo-
vial, informal affair, general good time
THE BOWL.
Castine's gift to the cruiser is a silver
fruit bowl-fruit bowl, please understand,
and all who maliciously apply the word
."punch.'' do SO at their peril. At the town
meeting the citizens stuipulated against a
punch bowl. The committee expressly or
dered a fruit bowl. An article marked and
billed fruit bowl was sent from the manu-
fac turer, and therefore the people have rea-
son to believe that they have secured a
fruit bowl.
1t is massive and exquisitely orna-
mented piece of silver plate enclosed in
chest of quartered oak. The measure
inent are: Lenght 16 inches; breadth 13
inches; height. 1925 inches. 1t WAS fur
nished by Charles ". Noyes of New York.
On the diverse side is the seal of the town
of Castine circle inclosing representa-
tion of ancient Fort Pentagoet, bearing
the inscriptions. ''Town of Castine, inoor-
porated 1796,'' and 'Pentagoet. 1885," On
the reverse side is the inscription, "Pre-
sented by the Citizens of Castine. Maine,
to the U. S. S. 5. Castine 1884, About it is
a coil of rope, loosely twisted in nautical
knot, with wreath of seaweed enclosing.
Altogether, the howl is a sumptuous token
and will occupy the post of honor ON the
Castine's sideboard with due credit to the
town that gave it.
The Enforcement League Active