Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-08-25
Ovation 70 THE FLEET.
Returning Naval Heroes Cheered
by Thousands of People Who
Lined the Shores.
AN IMPOSING pAsEAEr OF WARsHIPs.

Little Friction In Carrying Out the Cere-
monies In New York Harbor-A Final
Demonstration OF Patriotic Fervor at
Grants Tomb-The Health OF the Fleet
Excellent.
New York, Aug. 21.-New York and
the nation have fifty signaiized the
appreciation of the republic of her
victorious fleet. An imposing naval
pageant of warships has been received
in the harbor of the largest city Of the
country with acclamations of delight
and admiration, and the ovation from
the shore and from the great fotillas
of all sorts of craft on the water has
significantly given to the returning
heroes some idea of the esteem and ad-
miration in which they are regarded
by the people.
Long before sunrise guns were fired
at Castle William, Governors island.
the people were stirring about Crowds
were hurrying to the river to be early
on the scene. The New York and New
Jersey shores were crowded with the
people. The river and bay were liter
ally alive with craft and the craft
with people, all cheering and good
Ii
when the flags were hoisted on the
forts and fagships. AS the starry
banners were raised aloft the bands of
the forts and on the fiagships played
the ''Star-Spangled Banner and the
shores rang with patriotic cheers.
There was very little friction in
carrying out the programme and no
more delay than was to be expected.
IL, as -, LOT he foot of
Cortlandt street on the steamer Glen
Island and proceeded down the bay,
followed by long retinue of all sorts
and description of craft. At Tompkins-
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 acclama-
ton with the people on the myriads of
boats. Welcoming ceremonies were
short but impressive.
The ceremonies over, amid the hoarsS
shrieking of steam whistles and the
hosannas of the throngs on shore and
water. the mayor and the committee
returned to the Glen Island. Then
came the event of the day. There was
considerable wig-wagging 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 cannons and cheers of
people, and the toots of thousands of
whistles made an indescrib able din.
Soon the monster pageant was in
line. First came Admiral SIMPSONS
flagship New York, then Admiral
Schley's flagship Brooklyn, then the
Massachusetts,, Oregon, Iowa. Indiana
and Texas and after them a moving
mass of all sizes and descriptions, with
flags waving and people cheering. The
great battleships moved slowly and
majestically. As Governors island
was passed, there was a tremendous
report from the guns that did SO much
execution at Santiago and Guantana-
mo. The people on shore and ahoat
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 a final demonstration of
patriotic fervor such as New York has
never witnessed before. The pageant
was viewed and cheered by hundreds
of thousands of people. 1t was mag
nificent and indescribable scene and
| one never to be forgotten.
Since leaving Guantanamo on Sun
day morning no incidents of an un-
usual nature except temporary break
down. on the part of the Indiana, have
marred the homeward progress of
SIMPSONS feet Few ships were
passed. Smooth seas ana fair winds
made the passage pleasant There
was occasional change of formation.
Heading out from Cub the armorclad
ships came in single column, the New
York leading, the Iowa next, then the
| Indiana, Brooklyn, Massachusetts and
Oregon. At night the fleet shone with
side lights. running lights. portfolios
| lighted up by electric lights
from within blazed out on the
waters as the ships passed through the
Windward passage. tits months since
such an illumination has been seen in
Cuban waters, where warships, block
| ade 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
ships band to make all hands glad,
for before its jubilantairs were heard.
eager eyes had seen that low, gray
stretch of land which they knew was
| home
The accident to the Indiana was a
breakdown of her condensers- Twice
on the trip from Guantanamo she has
Jagged behind to make repairs, and
/ the other ships have reduced their