New-York tribune., 1896-10-25
VIEW FROM THE PRESS BOAT.


HOW THE PARADE FORMED INTO LINE.
THE PROCESSION DOWN THE RIvER-NAMEs OF
TIE BoArs-THE AURORA. IN WHICH WAS
MR.. HOBART. sALUTED BY THE
ADMIRALs FLAGSHIP
The press boat l.. S. Atwood left Pier 4. North
River at o'clock and started toward the form
ing point for the parade. When she cast away
from the pier. the wind was blowing stit'y and
the spray was flying hither and yon. wettlnS
down decks and ducking inconsiderate people
who would persist In seeking the leeward rail
for their pleasure. The illumination had already
begun on the river front, AMI as the tug passed
northward great festoon of light showed from
the end OF the American Line pier. In the dark
ness preceding the rising Of the moon, the city
was one glow of brightly shining points. In the
American Surety Building the lights had been
so arranged possibly without premeditation. that
they presented the aspect of gigantic cross OF
fire against a ground cf dense black. The ERECT
called forth many an admiring exclamation from
the crowd gathered under the lee OF the tugs
| deck house as she ploughed her way forward.
| occasionally signalling 10 passing craft 'o
| make way for her progress 10 the centraI po'n'
OF interest in the projected marine spectacle
| AS she hurried on toward the Grant Tomb
| the lights began to show more and more on the
numerous towers cityward. They were especially
| brilliant and convincing on the Madison square
Garden and on the Siegel-Cooper Compahys
building From the latter place the great search
light conjoining It's with those from the Jer-
sew shore and the craft on the water. almost
turned night into day. The essentials or thls
came later however. for the general intention
hnld he he
return Of the mas5ed fleet OF illuminated craft
AT THE PLACE OF FORMATION.
When the Atwood reached the place OF the
| formation OF the parade at I o'clock tnere was
slight indication of the brilliant picture that
uas IN no presented to the eyes Of hundreds or
thousands OF delighted spectators later on. Each
vessel was holding its powers In reserve Tor the
great climax OF the night. the movement DOW"
the stream The steamship piers. too, were tor
the most part chary of displaying their Festive
arrangements in advance
As the Atwood steamed slowly up the cehtfe
of the river toward the Fort Lee ferry. al Ohe-
undredand-twenty- -ffth-st.. from the heights
on the Palisades there suddenly sprahe iof''
into the night wild fare OF vd flame. 1t was
n great sweep OF rVd fire. prepared py sohe
,atriotc resident on the towering hill Then.
as 1 a
loaned into sudden view a little further to the
north and then another and another; ana the
beacons from the State OF New-Jersey were an
sv.rod nv similar beacons from the New-York
side until the waters Of the river. restless under
tho thrashing of the revolving screws and pad
dle-wheels. rose white with foam and flashed
hack the signals Of promise in thousand rays
of plinting. jewelled reflection. over it all and
above II all the moon shone down from above
the heights to the northeast. yellow with the
presage OF golden conquest soon to be. Her
honest rays were looked upon with an almost
superstitious regard as giving promise OF the
triumph to como.
| THE SHINING TOWER.
In the midst OF 1t all. when everything was
hurry and hustle and naught was to be heard
save the camor OF answering whistles from
the fast accumulating craft. sudden newness
was thrown into the picture OF the night by
the appearance of the great shining tower oveI
the Grant Tomb. At first it seemed as If some
mysterious light had broken forth from within
tho MAGNIFICENT pile: but 1t took only an instant
to determine that a powerful searchlight was
playing upon the stone. warming ant
revivifying it with glow or transcenden
beauty The massive columns supporting tho
vaul,ing dome were revealed in all their stately
sands who might have cheered were hushet
into silence that partook Of awe. The picture
for those who saw II will remain memorable.
Then. from the northward. along the Pan
sades. there arose a light. great rocke
scared s<yward. apparently into the very zenith
and broke into a thousand fairy sparks agains
the dark background Of the sky Another an'
yat another followed Once more this seemed
signal for Il new outburst OF the fire concealed
I within parti-coored paper. and all down tn
river shore the signal met a swift response unit
q the payly Illuminated craft seemed to float IN
D sea Of flame so bright was the reflection iron
r the churning waters. From barge and from ex
4 cursion boat the tempest Of color was thel
4 | ,oosed and fountains OF spouting flame vie
e with searching rockets. thousands O
roman candles and roaring bombs bursting Int
Geeting bouquets OF wondrous beauty 1t wa
G n fantasy OF fire. a spectacle that diademed nv
! miles of horizon with jewels such as neve
eraced the brow of potentate or queen
4 FORMATION or THE PARADE.
The boats began to gather at about tZo.
> one looked down the North River. craft ate