Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-11-11
PRESENTATION DATE SELECTED.

shser Service to he Presented TO the Gun
bnat Wilmington Tuesday, November 23'i.
THO gunboat Wilmington will DO pro
eented with q silver service by the
people of Wilmington on Tuesday, No
vomper I'D. that date having been
5elented for the festivities Ivy the COM
mittee OF arrangements at meeting
last Saturday afternoon. The com
niistse had sought tho pleasure OF the
government, as to when the boat could
come to Wilmington, and the following
letter, which had been received by
Chairman Morrison, was read:
Navy Department. Bureau of Navigation,
Washington. Nov. 4. 1897.
SIR Ihnvc to acknowledge the receipt Of
your letter of the I'd instant, and in renlv TO
inform you that the commanding officer of
the u. $! S. Wilmington has been directed
ia have that vessel ut Wilmington prior to
November 20, in order that the presentation
may take place on that date. In order to
facilitate the making of the necessary ar
rangements the commanding officer of the
Wilmington has been ordered to correspond
directly with ynu concerning this matter
Very Respectfully,
A. S. Crowinshield. Chief of Bureau.
The Wilmington ia now at the Nor
folk navy yard, but the work on her
will DO completed in about 10 days,
and about November 10Th she will he
ordered 10 CONF to this city. She will
reach here day or two before the 23d,
and ample opportunity will be given
thu public for inspection.
The committee proposes TO make No
vember 23d a gala day, and is making
arrangements Tor grand demon
atration. There will be parade, com
posed OF the fire and nolire depart
ments, military and civic organizations
in the afternoon, ami at the conclusion
OF the parade the presentation cere
monies will take place at the Audi
torium. Invitations to make addresses
will he extended TO some OF the leading
citizous OF Delaware, and an etlnrt viii
he made 10 have Secretary Long ant
some of the naval officinls atteno thu
festivities. The address Of welcome will
he made 10y Mayor MclIear Othar de
tails will lie arranged later 1t ha
been auggested that Gen. Garrett j,
Hart, Gen. J. Parke P0stlss and Mnio
Edmund Mitchell, Jr., act as marshall
OF toe parade.
MerGhants and other citizenH will HI
asked to decorate their places OF bust
ness and residences along the route o
parade. Souvenir huttons for tha Off
'ers and members of the crew of tn
gunboat anil contributors 10 the fun'
will be arranged for.
The general committee has appointed
a sub committee to make arrangement
for cheap excursion ratios from point
down the State and 10 the vicinity.
is hoped to have many visitors here o
that OCCASION. and every induuemen
possible will he offered.
1t is probable that GU the evening 9
the ODD there will be banquet. I
which the officers of the boat, th
guests and contributors will be invited
Should there he banquet, however
the money now in the fund will not Ii
used for the purpose,
The committee has been offered th
use of several wharves. where the hos
may tie up while she is here. but II
selection has besn made. The bot
drsrs IL feet Of water, and thos
having control Of wharves will he col
, suited before any offer is accepted.