Birmingham age-herald., 1895-02-13
LA GASCOGNE IN PORT, And All on Board Re oeive a Royal
 Welcome BY PARTICIPANT FRIENDS The Captain and Others Tell of the Voyage-AIl Paris
 Rejoiced.

dock was the scene of great rejoicing from the earliest hours this morning. Friends of the passengers on La Gascogne were at the dock from the first peep of dawn and remained there despite the statement of the coinpany's officers that the ship would not be docked before noon. The joy of the waiting crowd over the news of their friends safety bubbled over and infected all those who visited the dock for busi- ness or from curiosity. Officers of the company were obliged to stretch chain across the entrance to the dock shed this morning, so great was the rush togo on the pier. Every one admitted had to show evidence that he had friends on board the belated steamship.
 At 1 o'clock the bulk heads, piers and decks of the steamers at the docks in the vicinity and windows and house tops pier, were black with people. An extra force of policemen kept the passage way open leading to the pier. Through this passage way about 1000 people with passes made their way to the dock. The end of the pier was one solid mass of humanity. Nearly all were friends or relatives of the people on board the ship. The whole French colony was there. Ladies and their escorts climbed upon boxes of mer- chandise and secured places from which
  pected steamer.
 FIRST SIGHT OF THE VESSEL.
 It was just 10:5O when the crowd on the end of the pier sent out a cheer that an- nounced the arrival of the ship. pnose iu- side the dock shed took up and repeated the cheer, although they could not see any, thing but sea of hands and plumed bon nets in front of them.
 The crowd, which by this time had filled the big space in front of the pier, took up the cheer and for blocks people stood on up-toe, climbing on trucks, and when at last they saw the black hull and tall tunnels of the French liner through the fog of the tug boats steam they began yelling and waving their arms, and acting as though bereft of their senses. The fortunate ones who were on the pier went frantic with ex- citement when the big bow loomed up at the end of the pier.
 The French section of the crowd outdid all others in gesticulating, talking at mile minute gate and hugglng each other for joy when they recognized familiar the rail. When off the pier three tugs, whose proffers of assistance had been de- clined all the way up the bay, were per- mitted to take the lines and wharf the ship into ito berth alongside the dock. Then the crowd on the end of the pier made a wild scramble for places at the middle gangway Pretty girls climbed upon boxes and stood tier after tier deep, until the place was like au improvised amphitheater. A man with a big silk American flag mounted the highest boxes, and waving it led the cheering as the ship was warped to her berth. It was 80 when she was in place.
 HE'S ALL RIGHT.
 Captain Bandelon stood by the gangway on the main deck and directed things. The crowd hailed him with three cheers and then some one asked: "What is the matter with Bandelon?'' There was a mig hty response, ''He Is all right"
 FIRST MAN TO LAND.
 The gang plank was in place at 11:4O o'clock and the captain himself was the first man to land. He was enveloped in a big fur-lined coat and wore a fur cap. He got cheer after cheer as he walked to the pier. After him came the passengers, and then pretty girls hung about the necks of sturdy Frenchmen and as an emotional scene nothing presented by Sarah Bern hardt would com pare with that enacted on the pier.
 SUPERINTENDENT VESTS STATEMENT.
 Superintendent West of the French line boarded La Gascogne fast night, and on the arrival of the vessel at her dock gave the press statement, in substance as fol- lows:
 "When La Gascogne was three days out the double cylinder piston gave way and necessitated delay while attempts were made to repair it. h fact, it gave way more than once, causing delay each time, and during part of this time La Cas- cogne steamed only four knots an hour,
 "Off Gerge's banks February 10, La Gascogne passed large four masted schooner at anchor, water logged and abandoned. She had the United States flags flying, ensign dewn-and it was made out that she was the George A. McFadden, from Bath, Me.
 ssLa Gascogns was passed by British freight steamer shortly afterward bound for Philadelphia. She offered assistance, but it was refused, as it was not needed.
 "Ope of the stops, due to damaged pis- ton, caused delay of about forty eight hours, but the steamer is all right and she steamed slowly over the remaining portion of her journey. Of course she drifted when repairs were being made, but at no time was she in danger"
 Captain Bandelon, however, says the weather was the worst he ever experienced.
 GET SCARED FOR NoTHINa.
 Chief Officer Mascellet of La Gascogue, an old seaman from St. Pierre De Mique- lon, had little or nothing to say of the ex- perience of La Gascogne, contenting him. oh, no, nothing of the kino. We are ali right. You people get scared about noth- ipg.o
 Purser Gaffette said: i've had splen- did trip. There was little delay of course, but everybody enjoyed themselves. We had concerts nearly every day and Mile. Szoumouski, the pianist and singer, was the life of the ship. She was never scared for a second, and was always ready 10 place her services at the disposal of the less happy passengers.
 WORST HE EVER EXPERIENCED.
 J. P nlan of Detroit, Mich, said it was "trip he had ever experienced, in Tact that he had crossed the q mes. He was astonished
 hat Ia Gascogne had not