Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-08-25
GREAT NAVAL REVIEW
NORTH ATLANTIC SQUADRON
GETS a ROYAL WELCOME.
A MOST IMPRESSIVE SCENE
Seven WaTsllps Under G mmand Of
Admiral Sampson Go Up the Hud-
son and Fire a Salute al Grants
TCmb-Mayor Van Wyck's Warm
Welcome-A Modest Reply.


thousands OF pei pie along the banks
Of Lha Hudson and thousands of rive
craft bieuded their shouts and
whistles III royal welcome to the Ie-
turned North Atlantic squadron IN
DIR command Of Sampson Saturday.
For almost three hours the steam
whistles and small guns along the
shores shrIeked and doomed in an
effort to display the heartiest enthu-
siasm f-r the homecoming Of tn
naval heroes with battlescarred ships.
Early in the morning seven ships
the New York, Iowa, Indiana
Brooklyn, Massachusetts, Oregon and
was no idea with Sampson that New
York had prepared for a rousing re
ception, but the news was brougn
shortly by tug from the navy yord
and all OF the ships Of the squadron
were Immediately put under prepa-
ration for a dress review. By 3
o'clock the ships were ready for
movement. When the hour tOr the
start came, it looked as if it would be
impossible for the great ships TO make
their way through the perfect jam OF
river craft. Cheers and shouts OF
welcome rose from every deck. Sud
denly there was movement OF the
flagship New York, the big ship start
ing forward with SLOW, stately glide.
She was Immediately followed by the
other six vessels, n the following
order: Iowa, Indiana, Brooklyn,
Massachusetts, Oregon, Texas. The
start was accompanied by tremendous
cheering, screeching Of voices and
booming of cannon. From Castle
William came the first salute. Then
came a roar across the waters and
the ships headed right in the river Oh
their way to Grants tomb.
All along the line, on piers, sheds,
houses anu every possible point OF
vantage the people were packed.
The width OF the hudson river was a
strug ding, tuttering, dartlng mass
Of color, confusion and chaos. AS the
vessels moved further up the river,
the water was churned by the action
of hundI eds OF steamers and the
waves dashed over the small. boats
and the spray dampened the passen-
gers on lower uecks. AS the battle
ships moved up the river the crowds
became denser and enthusiasm more
marked. At the River Side drive the
scene was like a vast ampltheatre.
Tens of thousands OF persons covered
the green slope, and as the battle
ships approached a mighty cheer arose
that reverberated back and forth
across the Hudson. The battleships
drew together. Suddenly, from the
sides and turrets Of the battleshlps
there was a vivid fash; following this
a tremendous roar announced the hrSt
gun of the national salute. 1t was an
imposing spectacle as the big battle
ships doomed their salute to the ma
ton; and saluted the final resting
place Of Grant. The salute ended, the
return of the squadron along the line
Of review was begun. 1t was repeti-
ton of the enthusiastic scenes on the
way up the river. The parade of the
ships, from the time it passed the bat
terry OF the way up the river to the
time it re-passed on the way to an
chorage off Timpl1insville, L. l., oc-
cupied two hours and thirty-five
minutes.
/ Mayor Van Wyck's address to Ad-
miraI Sampson on the flagship New
York was in brief:
1T is not in words to express the
emotion out Of which this greeting
1 springs as the achievements of the
American navy have crowned witt
victorious consequences unsurpassed
in the annals Of warfare, ancient OF
modern. The tongue necessarily
falters in attempting to express tbs
feeling of combined gratitude, pride
and patriotic fervor with which every
! American heart is filled in contem
plating them. There was not in the
world four months ago a navy with
a more splendid record than that O
the United States. Never while his
tory continues to instruct men anc
the memory O. American deeds re
mains to impress free men or make
tyranny tremble, can the battle which
saw the Spanish fleet annihiiated on
the coast Of Santiago be forgotten
However, I am not here to descrlb'
or attempt to describe even in review
the deeds of valOr that made heroe
: of the brave officers and men of tn
navy at Santiago. My simpler AM
, highly-prized duty is to extend t.
YOU. the officers, marines, sailors an
men of the North Atlantic squadron
: the congratulations and hearty wei
} come Of the people Of Greater NeV
, York. and the freedom of the city.
Admiral Sampson then replied:
mfr. Mayor and Gentlemen: PERM
me to thank you on behalf of the Of
ficers and men of the navy whC
through their e--orts have won you
congratulations [ am sure that wer
they here, standing with me, an
: could here you talk, they would al
preciate it as | do. We have don
our duty only, and we are consequen
ly deeply gateful to you for expires
inc the thanks and congratulations {
Z the people of the city, which you hay
LCne in such glowing terms, for VIII;
s little we have accomplished. l than
= you, Mr.. Mayor, exceedingly"
$ Sampson went to his home in Gle
s. Ridge. y. j. Saturday night. He w;
accompanied by Mrs. Sampson ar
other members of the family. He w:
enthusiastical received.