The record-union., 1898-08-21

until the ships had been almost hidden,
but the roar, coming again and again,
seemed to rock the waters themselves.
1t was an imposing spectacle as the
big battleships doomed a salute to the
nation, as the warships saluted the final
resting place of General Grant, and the
guns that sounded the knell of Admiral
Cerveras ships at Santiago doomed a
reverent obeisance to the dead hero.
The salute ended, the return of the
squadron along the line of review was
begun. 1t was a repetition of the en-
thusiastic scenes on the way up the
river. Every whistle that could be
brought into use played it's part; every
bell, every band joined in honoring the
fleet, and above all were the resounding
echoes of the shouts from on water and
on land.
The parade of the ships, from the
time it passed the Battery on its way
UP the river to the time it repassed on
its way to anchorage off Tompkinsville,
L. l., occupied Just two hours and
thirtvive minutes.
Long before sunrise guns were fired
at Castle William, Governors Island,
and the people We're astir about. Crowds
We're hurrying to the river to be early
on the scene The New York and New
Jersey shores " re crowded with peo-
pie The rive. and bay were literally
alive with craft and the craft alive
with people, all cheering and good ma
tured.
An impressive scene was when the
flags were hoisted on the forts and
flagships. AS the starry banners were
raised aloft, the bands of the forts and
on the flagships played THE Star
Spangled Banner" and the shores rang
with patriotic cheers.
There was very little friction in car
rying out the program, and no more
delay than was to be expected. The
Citizens Committee left the foot of
Cortland street on the steamer Glen
Island, and proceeded down the bay,
followed by a long retinue of all sorts
and description of craft. At Tomkins-
vile the Mayor and committee of ten
debarked and boarded the police boat
Patrol The Patrol then headed for
the flagship with colors flying and
bands playing Staten Island shores
were literally lined with people, and
they joined in the general acclamation
with the people on the myriads or
boats. Welcoming ceremonies were
short, but impressive.
The ceremonies over. amid the hoarse
shrieking Of steam whistles and the
hosannahs of the throngs on shore and
water, the Mayor and the committee
returned to Glen Island.
Then came the event of the day.
There was considerable wigwagging
on the gray battleships, and the police
boats formed in line. Then came the
Glen Island, and then the battleships
began to slowly move up the bay. There
was a salvo of cannon and cheers of
people. and the toots of thousands of
whistles made an indescribable din.
Soon the monster pageant was in line.
First came Admiral SIMPSONS flagship,
the New York, followed by the magnifi-
cent fighting machines that have made
Uncle Sans name respected the world
over. and after them a moving mass
of all sizes and descriptions, with flags
waving and people cheering. The great
battleships moved slowly and ma
jectleally.
AS Governors Island was passed
there was a tremendous report from
the guns that did so much execution at
Santiago and Guantanamo. The people
on shore and afloat went wild. They
yelled and screamed. waved flags and
jumped up and down in patriotic fervor.
And so it was all the way up to
Grants tomb. where there was final
Of patriotic fervor, such
as New York has never witnessed be-
fore. The pageant was viewed and
cheered by hundreds of thousands OF
people. 1t was a magnificent and in
describable scene, and one never to be
forgotten.
The flagship New York led Admiral
Sampson's fleet into port this morning,
passing the Hook at s a. m. She was
followed by the Iowa and Indiana.
Then came the Brooklyn and Massa
chusetts. the Oregon guarding the rear.
The feet was lost sight Of shortly af-
ter passing the Hook, a thick haze
covering the bay and ocean at the time.
The entire population of Sandy Hook
was on the beach and clustered on the
tops of the batteries of Fort Hancock
shouting and swinging their hats and
caps. Flags and bunting were in sight
everywhere. The men on board the
vessels crowded the decks. all looking
neat, dressed in white duck and blue
clothing. Signals were made frequent
ly from the flagship to the following
squadron No salute was fired from the
fort.
The New York left quarantine for
Tompkinsville at $50 a. m. All the
boats started up the river at 1910.
Since leaving Guantanamo on Sunday
morning no incidents of an unusual ma
ture. except a temporary breakdown
on the part of the Indiana, have marred
the homeward progress of SIMPSONS s
fleet. Five ships were passed. Summer
seas and fair winds made the passage
pleasant. There was an occasional
change of formation. Heading out from
Cuba. the armor clad ships came in sim
gle column, the New York leading the
Iowa next, then the Indiana, Brooklyn.
Massachusetts and the Oregon. At
night the fleet. with side lights, run
ming lights. port holes lit up by cleo
trict lights from Within blazed out on
the waters as the ships passed through
the Windward Passage
1t is months since such an illumina-
tion has been seen in Cuban waters,
where warships. blockade runners,
transports and all sorts and. conditions
of craft have been threading their way
with all lights screened, great shadows
that passed silently. Last night there
was a change to the original column
and trailing behind the gallant New
York. the ships that have stood the
brunt of the war passed Sandy Hook
this morning 1t did not require the
strains of the flagship band to make
all hands glad, for before its jubilant
airs were heard, eager eyes had seen
that low gray stretch of land which
they knew was home