The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-07-10
UNITED STATES CRUISER CINCINNATI.
(Took part at opening Of Canal.)

officially opened on the anniversary OF the
battle of Bunker Hill, and these two great
events will now 90 down into history linked
together, although separated by an interval
of 120 years.
It was fete day all over the city appar.
emily. for not only were Harlem and the
North Side draped in bunting and flags, but
there was scarcely street down from Har'
lem that had not flags flying. It seemed as
though the whole population OF Now YORK
CITY had turned out to see the two parades
II Is probable that at least half million peo'
ole lined the banks Of the canal and the shore
OF the East River between Spuyten DuyvlJ
and Oak Point,
In every detail the ceremonies in opening
the canal were an unqualified success. Tae
celebration was begun at noon with parade
Of many steam craft through the canal. IN
which Mayor Strong, of New York City, and
other distinguished public men took part.
As the parade started young woman
dipped a flask of water from the
Hudson, and when the fotilla came
to anchor at Oak Point she poured
the water into the Sound. That constituted
the marriage rite. At that moment sal ute
was fired from the United States cruiser
Cincinnati, anchored at the western END,
while another Of Uncle Sans war.
ships, tho Atlanta. saluted with bark
Ing guns the arrival of the leading
boat. At the Sound TWO barrels of fresh
water-one from Lake Champlain and the
other from Lake Superior-were emptied
into the canal to typify the meeting OF the
waters, the connection with the great lake
system. Two hundred vessels composed the
six divisions OF the water parade.
The streets through which the industrial
and military parade passed were lined with
49, pl,a ~ ro rla nd
the shores opposite Randalrs and Wards isl
ands were black with spectators. 1t formed
at Manhattan avenue and North River. and
In it were deeachments OF United States
troops, members Of various societies, eX-
hibits representing the operations OF sew
eral municipal departments, and long line
Of floats illustrating leading industries OF
the city. The parade marched across town
through streets gay with the National coll
ors, to the Madison avenue bridge, where 1t
crossed AMI then proceeded to Oak Point, at
the junction of the East River and Long
Island Sound, where it was awaited by sew
eral thousand school children.
Mayor Strong formally declared the canal
open when the two pageants met at Oak
Point, where banquet was served to 4OO In
vited guests. Fordham Morris was the ora
tor of the day. He said to General John
Newton, who died only a few months ago,
belonged the honor or planning the Harlem
Ship Canal, for which Congress ordered
the Government survey in 1874. In con-
structine the canal $4,000 tons of rock
had BEEN removed. 10000 cubic yards OF
earth excavated, 1,OOO,OOO cubic yards Of
earth dredged, and 5000 cubic yards OF re-
tanning walls built without the loss OF sim
gle life. Mr. Morris said that the present
canal was only beginning. The plan con-
templates channel 400 feet wide and hfteen
feet deep at low tide. 1t will require ST.
100000 to complete this work.
The fireworks display in the evening at
Oak Point was the most elaborate ever wit
messed in New York City. Fully half
million people gathered at Oak Point and
Its vicinity to witness the $4,000 worth OF
noise, blaze and smoke which concluded an
eventful day. =,
The canal saves over twenty-five miles of
distance in the traffic between the Hudson
and Long Island Sound.