The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-08-13
WAR SHIPS WELCOMED.
White Squadron at Anchor in
Portsmouth HarbOr.
THE FLEET RECEIVED IN A ROYAL
FASHION.
Old City Gay With Bunting by Day
and Brilliant With Lights oy
Night-New York Leads Fleet In
Followed by Maine and Massachuseets.

and Brilliant Win Ais"
Night-New York Leads Fleet In
Followed by Maine and Massachusetts
Portsmouth, N. H. August 12.-Ihe
magnificent ships Of the North Atia ntlc
squadron, Admiral Sicard commanding,
are swinging at anchor tonight In this MS
toric old harbor, while on shore every
thing has taken a holiday aspect Inc
celebration in honor of the fleets VISIT,
for which preparations have been max
ing with a lavishness that has surprised
the older residents, for several weeks ls
now under way. Summer visitors nave
focked here by the thousands until hotels
are crowded and private residences give
entertainment to guests of the townspeo-
ple.' On the streets there is bunting
galore of the brightest hues and after
sunset the brilliancy is continued by
electric lights and other illuminating
methods, SO that the festivities will con-
tinue uninterrupted.
The interest naturally centres on the
warships in the harbor. The advance
guard came into the harbor shortly before
4 O'Clock and all the vessels will be here
tomorrow Picturesque as the scene Ii
from ashore as the great white crafts
swing on the tide the scene is none the less
so from the decks of the vessels. The
harbor is dotted with small craft, all
small in comparison with the great bat
tleships Massachusetts and Maine, yetssthey
include cruising yachts of generous size
down to the mosquito fleet of people who
live alongshore in the harbor. Everything
that could carry flag or a piece of bunt-
ing had it lashed aloft, and when dark
ness came, the colors gave way to lights.
The vessels of the feet made their first
appearance off the Isles of Shoals headed
by the magnificent looking armored
cruiser New York, the flagship Of the
fleet, followed by the battleships Maine
and Massachusetts. The ships kept good
distance apart and passed from White
island over near Hampton ana Rye
beaches, passing in full view of the sum
mer cottages on the shore and the thous-
ands of people ON the beaches.
AS soon as the feet was anchored under
the direction of Pilot Amazon, the flag
ship New York fired commodores salute
of II guns and was followed by a salute
from the other ships In rapid succession
in honor of Commandant Remey of the
Portsmouth navy yard. The salute was
answered by tne navy YARD battery With
an adlniral's salute of II guns, in honor
OF Admiral Sicard.
In an Incredibly short space of time
the big boats were surrounded by
dotilla. No visitors were allowed aboard,
however, as there was considerable wor
to be done.
Tonight the electrical displays were
simply gorgeous, the searchlights Of the
craft flashing in all directions. meeting
the great beam Of light thrown from the
tower of the Wentworth. In fact the electri-
cal features at this hotel were magn1fi-
cent, the combination of colored incan-
descents showing artistic skill in arrange
ment, while the colors were charmingly
blended.
Mayor John W. Emery, Hon. J. Albert
Walker and members of the city govern
ment, paid their respects to Admiral
Sicard on board the flagship New York
this evening and extended him a warm
welcome.