The record-union., 1896-10-25
BRILLIANT MARINE DISPLAY
in THE WATERS OF THE HAR.
BOR OF NEW YORK.
The Event of the Nautical Spectacle
Was in Honor of Mckinley
and Sound Money.

NEW YORK, Oct 24-The most
unique marine spectacle ever seen in
the waters OF this harbor took place to-
night. 1t vas a magnificent display,
participated in by 200 different craft
and witnessed by an immense crowd of
people.
The event was the nautical grand
fireworks display, illumination and ma
rine parade" of the Shipping Industrial
Sound Money Association in honor of
Mckinley and Hobart, and was the first
demonstration Of its character ever seen
hereabouts. For an hour or more the
air was filled with brilliant lights and
colors, showers of burning stars, tor
rents of golden sprays, batteries of col
ored candles and boats, and night was
turned into day.
The pyrotechnic feature of the even
ing was carried out on an elaborate
scale. 1t began with a salute of 101
aerial guns, followed by an illumina-
ton of the harbor with 800 colored
lights, an ascension of twenty four bal
Icons with powerful magnesium lights,
which lit up the city, colossal fire pic
lures of Mckinley and Hobart UNI
brellas of fire. Illuminated kites, flying
festoons of fire, magical illumination
of the harbOr with chemical compounds
the American flag unfurled in the sky
III fire colorS, submarine explosions,
grand fire bouquets and innumerable
other Devices which made the spec
tacle 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 fleet
was in four divisions, the first in COM
mand Of Rear-Admiral Staples, the sec
ond under Rear-Admiral Dalzell, the
third under Rear-Admiral Moore, and
the fourth in charge of Admiral Valen-
tine, and the whole under command of
Admiral j. w Miller These titles of
course were political and conferred for
the occasion. The four divisions were
composed of four squadrons in each,
and each squadron in command of a
Commodore. The AdmiraPs staff,
elaborate in numbers, was composed of
representatives of navigation in this
city. Commodore Michael Moran, a
| well-known vessel owner was in charge
of the Flying Squadron of several
speedy tugs. The fleet was formed at
the lower end Of the Palisades, above
One Hundred and Thirtieth street, the
| first and third divisions 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 was fired from
the flagship at p. m, and Immediately
the Adnlirars flagship and flying
squadron proceeded to midstream.
/ cl 1a1a
of whistles and flood of pyrotechnics
the parade started. The speed was six
knots an hour and to facilitate navi-
CATION and prevent accident there was a
distance of 600 yards between divisions
! When the head of the column was
abreast of Grants tomb the fireworks
programme was begun by salute OF
1o1 guns. followed by bombs, rockets
| etc.
The display was continued as the YES
sells fell into line, and as they passed
| down the river there were more fire.
works from anchored fiatboats at Wee
hawken. Stevens Point. Fourteenth
street. Hoboken and the Battery. Every
boat had its own supply of pyrotechnics
too, and kept up continual lombard
ment all along the route, which was
| over elSnt nilleS III lenStn. The biggest
/ display was at the Battery where the
most distinguished guests and the re-
| viewing party were assembled.
| After passing the reviewing street
| the larger craft passed around Gov
ernor's Island. through Buttermilk
Channel. the smaller up the East River
keeping near the Brooklyn shore as far
| as East Thirty-fourth street The
| squadrons dismissed after passing the
reviewing boat.