The San Francisco call., 1896-10-25
Two Hundred Different Graft
Participate in Gorgeous
Night Parade.
GOLDEN SHOWERS IN THE SKY.
Never Before Has Such a Wondrous
Demonstration Been Made at
New York City.

NEW YORK. n. Y, Oct. 24-The most
unique marine spectacle ever seen i'll the
waters OF this Earbor took place tonight.
1t was magnificent display, partici-
pated in by 200 different craft and wit
messed by an immense crowd of people.
The event was the nautical grand fire.
works display, illumination and marine
parade of the Shipping and Industrial
Sound-money Association in honor of Nc
Kinley and Hobart, and was the first
demonstration of its character ever held
hereabouts. From One Hundred ard Thir-
tieth street or the North River, just above
Grants tomb to Governors Island, off
the battery, the fotilla steamed, every
vessel in gala attire. For an hour or more
the air was filed with a food OF brilliant
lights and dazzling colors, showers OF
burning stars, torrents OF golden sprays
batteries OF colored candles and bonn os-
for the time night seemed to have turned
into day.
The pyrotechnic feature of the evening
was carried out on an elaborate scale. 1t
began with salute of 10l aerial guns, fol-
lowed by an illumination of the har5or
by 500 colored lights, an ascension OF
twenty-four balloons with powerful mag
0esium lights which lit up the city,
colossal fire pictures of Mckinley and Ho-
bart, um brellas of fire, illuminated kites,
floating festoons of fire. magical lllu-
minatlon OF the harbor with chemical
compounds, "the American flag unfurled
in the skyn IN fire coIors. submarine ex-
plosions, grand fire bouquets and innu-
5of, oAa
spectacle inspiring and seemingly magical
in character.
The night was clear and cold when the
parade began formation at O'Clock.
Steam craft only participated. The feet
was in four divisions, the first in COM
mand OF Rear Admiral Staples, tie second
under Rear Admiral Dalzell, third under
Rear-Adm1ral Moore and the fourth in
charge OF Admiral Valentine, and the
whole under command OF Admiral J. w.
Miller. These titles, of course, were po-
liiical and conferred for the occasion.
The four divisions were composed OF four
squad-ons IN each, and each squadron in
command of a commodore. The admirals s
staff, elaborate Ia mum bers, was composed
of representatives of navigation in this
city. Commodore Michael Moran, a we'll
known vessel-owner, was in charge of the
flying squadron" of seven speedy tugs.
The fleet was formed at the lower end of
the palisades above One Hundred and
Thirtieth street, the first and third di-
visions on the west side and the second
and fourth on the east side of the river.
All divisions formed in column of vessels
heading down stream.
The preparatory signal wss fired from
the flagship at P. NJ and Immediately
the admirals flagship and flying squad
ron proceeded to midstream. Alter a
short delay, amid the Blowing of whistles
the party started. The speed was six
knots an hour, and 10 facilitate naviga-
ton and prevent accident there was a
distance of 300 yards between divisions
anu 200 yards between squadrons. When
the head OF the column was abreast of
Grants tomb the fireworks programme
was begun by salute of 101 guns, fol-
lowed by bombs, rockets. etc. The dis
play was continued as the vessels fell into
line, and as they passed down the river
there were more fireworks from anchored
fat boats at Weehawken, Stevens Point,
Fourteenth street, Hoboken and the Bat
terry. Every boat had its own supply OF
pyrotechnics, too, and kept up continual
bombardment along the route, which was
eight miles in length. The biggest dis
play was at the Battery, where the most
distinguished guests and the reviewing
party were assembled.
After passing the reviewing vessel the
larger craft passed around Governors
Island, through ButtermilK Channel, the
smaller mp the East River, keeping near
the Brooklyn shore as far as East Twenty
fourth street. The squadrons were dis.
missed after passing the reviewing boat.
1t was 9:15 P. II. when the head of the
lire reached the reviewing boat Aurora off
the Battery. The arrival of The feet was
greeted with grand fireworks demonstra-
tion. As each boat arrived she took up a
position opposite the Jersey shore and
soon the waters in the vicinity were alive
with brilliantly lighted vessels.
The trip down the river was a pictur-
esque one. The great hotilla resembled q
big city. Nearly every boat, from the
saucy little tugs to the big twin screw
steam boats, was Illuminated, some with
elaborate lines of tights which, strung in
close around the decks, rails and hulls.
brought the whole forms of the vessels
out in bold reliei.
Many piers along the river were illumi-
mated in artistic style, and the Jersey
ferry terminals had their slips conspicu-
ously lighted. A number of buildings
near the water front, on the New York
were in festive attire. 1t is estimated thai
over q, 600 persons were aboard the vessels
in the parade. and that fully 100000 were
gathered along the river on the banks and
piers from Grants tomb to the Battery on
the New York side and the Palisades to
Jersey City, on the Jersey shore.
About rs. 600 more were gathered in the
big office buildings and on roof tops Of
houses affording a view of the river.
LAST PARADES IN CHICAGO.