Frederick citizen., 1895-02-15
SAFE ON terra F|RMA
Pathetic Scenes at the
French Line Docks.
4 Sight Long To BE Il ,mcmbarcd-
The Dead, Aliv; the Lost, Found
The Ship and Her Gallant Come
mander Ghecred-Flags Wave Nive
lie Capitaine.

mander Checred-Flags Wave Nive
lie Capitaine.
New York, Feb. l3.-The French line
dock was the scene of great rejoicing
during the early hours of yesterday.
The friends Of passengers on La Gas
cogne were at the dock from the first
peep of dawn, and remained there m
I'll the steamer arrived. The joy Of
the waiting people over the news Of
their friends safety bubbled over and
found frequent expressions. The Off
GERS of the company were Obliged to
stretch a chain across the entrance
to the dock shed. 50 great was the
rush Of people to go on the pier. Every
one admitted had to show evidence
that they had friends on board the
belated steamship.
Some men and women went TO ths
dock in carriages. but could not show
that they had friends aboard the
steamer The waiting room upstairs
was crowded.
Half dozen policemen from the
steamboat squad stood inside the shnd
entrance to help the company's off,
GERS. Other policemen stood outside
there were about 800 people grouped
about the entrance, unable to get on
the dock. They had been there all the
morning. and seemed determined to
wait until the La Gascogne arrived, If
necessary. all day.
Two tugs were putting and blowing
in the slip on the north side ol the
French line dock churning up the wa
ter in an effort to drive out the Ice
so as to make an easy passage for the
steamer.
Greeting the Big Ship.
AS the steamer came up the North
river towed by two tugs the people
assembled on the dock scrambled for
the best places to obtain a view OF
the vessel. At the end of the pier was
4 pile of boxes. The people climbed
on these and watched the approach
ing vessel until the police and dock
officers obliged them to enter the shed
SO as TO avoid accidents. Thy people
in the upstairs waiting room crowded
to the windows to eaten a glimpse OF
the steamer. There was a craning Of
necks and a pushing Of those in thu
rear to get q view out on to the river.
Another crowd was in the pier shed
near the gangways. a large proper
ton were women. Outside the dock
was crowd of several thousand.
When La Gascogne's stern passed
the doorway working into her slip the
people cheered. In very short time
the vessel was tied up and the gang
plank raised TO her side. Again the
people cheered. and an enthusiastic
Frenchman perched on a pile of boxes
unfurled a new American flag and
waved It, This called forth more
cheering. and some one in the crowd
cried out: That is the only flag" This
seemed to be the sentiment OF the
crowd, for they cheered the flag enthu-
siastically.
Cheers for the Captain.
A voice called for three cheers for
Capt. Baudelon, commander of the La
GaScogne. They were given with
will and made the building echo
The passengers tnen began To come
ashore. preceded by Superintendent OF
the Line West The first passenger 10
step on the dock received more cheers.
The passengers came down rapidly and
were quickly seized by waiting friends,
hugged and kissed. and again EN-"
braced. They then had d vulley cs
questions fired at them.
The most of the people. passengera
and waiting friends. had the true tenn
perament Of the French and were
loudly demonstrative in giving vent
to the emotion that moved them.
A lady in a long sealskin dolmaa
pressed through the crowd carrying
aloft a huge bouquet of flowers.
The people made way for her until
she reached the foot of the gangpiank.
call was made for Capt. Baudelon.
and when he appeared the crowd
cheered An enthusiastic Frenchman
cried out: "Vive lie Capitaine. Vive NJ.
Baudelon"
The captain raised his cap and
smiled. The woman with the flowers
embraced the blushing commander
and nreSepte1 tha bouduat fO him