The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-08-10

t1Oilo III tilG ILL u19uSC CTOhO WulCu WISH
ted Peaks Saturday night to see the sight
were more than realized and every one
came home feeling that to miss the earn
ival next year or to let their stay-at-
home friends miss it would be great
mistake.
Even Manager Cooling and his assis-
tants, who have spared no pains or ex-
pense to make the affair success, were
agreeebly surprised and delighted with
the dis play they had created and take
this opportunity of thanking all of those
who participated in the parade or con-
tributed In any way towards it's SUCCESS.
At sunset along the shores OF Peaks
and Little Diamond Island and at many
of the docks in Portland scenes Of activi-
ty and bustling excitement could be
found which increased proportionately as
the shadows grew longer and the twi-
light deepened. Beginning with the sew
en- o'clock trip Of the island steamers the
crowd began to move towards Peaks in
numbers which taxed the carrying Ca
pacity of these big boats to their utmost.
All of the Casco Bay steamers were brill
iantly Illuminated with hundreds of
electric lights and japanese lanterns of
many colors and formed as beautiful a
sight as has ever before been seen in this
harbor as they ploughed their way over
its placed waters towards the Peaks
Island landing.
The weather was all that could have
TOD
rade and had it been made to order it
could not have been bettersd. The wind
was from the southwest and very light
and there Was scarcely ripple to disturb
or mar the beauty of the scene.
By eight o. clock all was in readiness for
the starting Of the big procession and at
that hour ths waters in front of the For
est City landing were alive with boats
and lighted by hundreds of lanterns and
red fire burning on almost every boat.
The wharves and rocks along the shore
were black with people and at this hour
when the majestic Pilgrim, the queen
of the Casoo Bay Steamboat company's
fleet, approached the Forest City landing
with an immense crowd on board she
was crested by long continued applause,
the footing of whistles and fish horns
and EXPLANATIONS of delight from every
one within sight. and she merited every
bit of the applause she received too,
From her hurricane deck to her water
line she was covered with electric lights
while surmounting all and dashing
sun-like paths of light from point to
point along the shore was her big search
light looking for all the world like the
restless orb of some giant sea monster.
Strung above the decks in long lines
were hundreds of japanese lanterns and
there was hardly point on this NAM
moth hull which was not illuminated or
decorated in some way.
A few minutes after the arrival of the
Pilgrim the Eldorado sailed into view.
She was also floating mass of lights
and carried a few passengers. the especial
guests of Manager Cooling, and Chandler
band which added to the enjoyment of
the scene by playing delightfully."- ali the
evening The Eldorado had in tow sew
eral beautifully decorated and
illuminated boats. The one i'm
mediately following the steamer
was big seine boat having a big
arch stretched across amidships from
which swung hundreds of Japanese
lanterns. while around the sides of the
boat were swinging similar lanterns OF
many culors. The boat was decorated In
red white and blue and had in the oen'
tire sort of house made of bunting with