The sun., 1897-08-05
NEwPORTS ANNUAL FETE.
WARsHLPs, YloHTs, TROOPS, AND
SAILORS MAKE A GREAT SHOW.
Boat Races In the Morning. Followed By .
Parade or Land and wator Forces "A
.spiendid illumination OF the Harbor at
Might with n Competition In Decorated Craft.

HiEht with n Ceupetition In Decorated Graft.
NEWPORT. r. l.. Aug. A.-This was New
ports third annual feto day. On every hand
there arc unmistnkable signs OF tho livolest
interest, scarcely n building on Thames street
tonight being without its bunting and Its Ian.
torns, and on sido streets, running into Thames
and the other leading thoroughfares there Is
moro decoration than last year. Tho number
Of visitors In the city is largo and It is safe to
say that Newport has mover been called upon
to entertain so many.
There was no lack OF amusement provided
for the VISITORS from the starting OF tho boat
race in the harbor at 10 O'Clock in the morning
to the grand finale of the fireworks display, the
exhibit Of the Stars and Stripes high In tho air
over tho harbor. Newport's usual attractions,
tho bathing beach, the horscless carriages, tho
cliffs, the summe. residences, the Casino. and
the old stone mill, all received some attention
from the strangers but the special attraction
was occasioncd by the presence Of tho ships of
the North Atlantic squadron, the arrival OF tho
yachts the boat races. tho ball games, and last,
but by no means least OF tho days celebration,
the parade of the seamon and marines from the
ships.
In tho harbor many of the yachts which had
preceded the New York squadron were decked
In gay colors set in rainbow fashion from stem
to stern. The Stars and Stripes werc flying
from the nlnStneuuS VI blcdlh anu suiiIh6 Noo-
sels, and on many OF the yachts and the ships of
tho North Atlantic squadron preparations
werc made to add to the water spectacle. On
land and sea there was one purpose evident,
each doing his or her best to mako the ceiebra-
ton q success. The special attractions or tho
day seemed to have little effect in keeping the
crowd from Thames street. 1t was decidedly
novel appearance for the staid old street, and
many Newportcc asked his neighbor If this
could be the quiet city ho had known so long.
There seemed TO be very large crowd before
tho coming of the steamers and trains, but
when these arrived as many more were appar-
entity emptied into the town. Tho opening of
the days festivities was on the water, where
the two twelve-oarcd cutter. races were called
for 10 and IL o'clock. Long before the an
nounced hour the harbor was well filled with
small craft, and every available space along the
shores, both on the Newport and Torpedo sta
ton sides, from which view of the course
could be had, was black with people. There
was some delay about getting the first racers
started. and 1t was 1890 when the four local
crews faced the starter. Lieut.. E. st. ]. Greble
of Fort Adams who had Capt. Tom Shea's
launch. The Fort Adams crew did not start,
as 1t found its boat was too much of handicap.
The start was q very pretty one the boats get
ting away very evenly. Tho training station
crow at once settled down to steady, long pull
that they were able to maintain to the finish.
and soon worked to the FORE The finish time
was as follows: Training Station, IL minutes
SO seconds. Torpedo Station, 1S minutes 80
seconds; Naval Reserves. 1s minutes 81 Sec
onds; Old Colony Repair Shop, 10 minutes Al
seconds The prizes were offered by Mr.. o. H.
p. Belmont, who accompanied the judges, and
consisted Of a silver loving cup for first and
silver flask for second.
AS soon as possible after the first race tae race
between cutters from Admiral Sicard' 8 squadron
was called, and six twelve-oared cutters re-
sponded. There were two from the New York
and one from each of the other ships except the
iyn. Indiana, Massachusetts, and Iowa. There
jumping for headway and others settling down
to a steady, strong stroke
ample set by the training station crew, and
after getting down to q steady stroke gradual
New York, second, ls minutes 80 seconds;
Iwa % edonds 4 m
ends New York sesond takes % arss prize, $50; ss
Referee, Lieut. Commander T. C.. MeLean. U.
Boyle Postmaster Young, and Mr. F. P. Gar
FHetts1n- Hs'D The timekeeper was Lieut. E. st. j.
The landing of tho seamen and marines la, er
In the day from the ships at Elm street pier
and Was Witnessed by large s Humber Of f'per per-
sons. The several battalions came on shore in the
order Of their positions in the brigade. As tho
marched to their positions in line; The parade
starred at . o'clock sharp. marching over the
Police skirmishcrs; Chief Marshal al and tpSf stan
mounted; platoon of police; band Second Artl-
Ing station band, U. s. s.; Battalion OF ma ma
Tines, U. s. N; Flagship band L, $ N; bat;
artillery; Newport band Newport Artillery u
Company B, Second Regiment; R. ]. N: Cadets;
Hogan;.d3 Light Battery sHnEy. F secSnd Artillery T. s. Al
At the Ocean House the parade was reviewed
b Coy Dyer sseretaTy oIgno, Of the Navy Long
the officers commanding the several ships OF the
North Atlantic squadron, Commodore Wallace.
NJ % PenninSton 9 co@mander mn dr' Fort SI Adams. a
and staff; Comna1der c. F. Goodrich L. $.
or or John McGowan. IT, s. ~, commanding
naval training station; Lieut., Commander T.
DOM ssnnoe esoG tGR'Ge
Peabody Wetmore, Gongressmen Melville Bull
End. End A. - csprn the MAY Myors Of the several
The city was blaze of lights tonight and the
hsrbor illpmination io was gorgeous, The cleo.
,trical displays on Thames street and along the
On tho water it looked like an illuminated
decks. and the larger stea!ners showing eiec.
trical displays. The warshps brought their
The searchlght from the New York was very
handsome, making n red, white. and blue striped
light. Another light played on a flag on
the torpedo station hagstafr, giving the appear.
steamers were illuminated with incandescent
lights. and the words Welcome Yachtsmen "
could be seen on all sides.
The feature OF tho night was the water pa.
rade, which started at = o'clock and made cir
cnft OF the outer and inner harbors, passing by
all the yachts and warships. In this parade
were decorated boats Of every description, for
which prizes we're offered.
For sailing boats the Young America with a
windmill board. took prize. For cutters
the Iowa's boats took first prize, being rugged
with a sea serpent lighted with electric lights
Tho New York cutter rugged as u brig. with
lanterns hanging from the yardarms, took sec
ond prize.
There were three prizes for rowing boats anc
one for novelties. II. p. Crowley had q fac
simile Of the old stone mill a scow, but II wal
too late to enter the procession. 1t was without
doubt the finest decorated craft in the harbor
During all this time bands were playing OF
fioats at different places in the harnor and Are
works were set OF In abundance. The festivi
ties ended at 10 o'clock, when an American fiat
In fire was set off high in the air and all III,
hau uHa Mi he ad A