The Lamar register., 1898-08-24
OVATION TO THE NAVY.
sampson's Big ships Given Warm Greet
ing by New Workers

New York. Aug. 21.-Tiundreds OF
thousands of people along the hanks
of the Hudson, and thousands ON all
styles of river crafts, yesterday blend
ed their shouts IN a royal welcome 10
the returned North Atlantic squadron
under command of Rear admiral
Sampson. and as tine an August day
as could be desired was natures trib-
ute TO the return Of tlle victors-
For almost three solid hours steam
whistles OF all sizes, steam sirens and
small guns along the shone shrieked
and boomed from the effort 20 display
the heartiest enthusiasm for the home
coming OF the naval heroes with thea
battle-scarred ships,
Early IN the morning the seven big
Ships-the New York. Iowa. Indiana.
Brooklyn. Massachusetts, Oregon and
Texas--lay In New York hay, Just on
Tompkinsvllle ). l. There WAS no idea
with Admiral sampson that New York
city was prepared Tor a rousing recep-
ton. but the news was brought shortly
by a tug from the navy yard. and all
the ships OF the squadron were imrne-
diately put under preparations for
dress review.
IL was some time before the ships
could get into review formation. hut
I IN kHt NAiiAf fAF #NAeA A1Ah : lAhR
came IN line with Governors island
the other ships had formed in a regn-
lar line
The start was made. accompanied
by tremendous cheering. screech-
ing voices aud booming cannon.
From Castle William came the first
salute II was merely fiash OF bright
red. which was Immediately smoth.
erred in a sheet Of smoke bcforc the de-
notation was heard. Then came the
roar across the waters. aud the ships
headed right in the river on the way
To General Grants tomb.
All along the line. on piers, ON sheds.
houses and every possible point OF
vantage. people were packed. The river
craft. crowdiug the warshlps close.
were jammed with passengers sinking
the sides of the vessels almost 10 their
guard rails ON one side. giving the Inn
preston that even the ships them
selves bowed In unconscious sainte 10
the returning naval heroes The width
uf the Hudson river WIS a struggling.
iuttering. darling mass OF color and
confusion and cheers As the vessels
moved further up the river. the water.
which had been calm at the Battery.
was churncd by the action Of the hun
dreds OF steamers and WAVES dashed
over the small boats and sheets OF
spray dampebe-l the passengers on the
lower decks OF the larger steamers.
As the grim looking hartleships
moved up the river the crowds became
denser and the enthusiasm was more
marked AT Riverside Drive. with its
steep. grassy slope. the scene was like
an ampbithcater. Tens OF thousands Of
persons csyered the green SLOPE. and
as the hattieships approached.
mighty cheer arose that reyesberaied
back and forth across the Hudson-
From the bottom of the slope an OBJ
servation train crawled laxiiy along.
keetsing even with the ships. above
this the vast sea OF hutnanity crowded
General Grants tomb. which was 10
mark the beginning OF the return OF
the squadron. where a national salute
OF tweniy-one guns was fired The
tomb, standing high white and sol
emn, was far above the waters OF the
river. looked 10 he built upon foan.
dation OF faces.
The salute ended, the return Of the
squadron along the line OF rrview was
begun II 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, ey-
cry bell. every hand Joined in honoring
the fleet and above all were the re-
sounding echoes OF the shouts from on
wafer and on land.
The parade Of the ships. from the
time IL passed the Battery ON its way
up the river, TO the time II repassed on
it's way TO anchorage of Tompkins-
Vile, :. l.. occupied just two hours
and thirty-five minutes.