The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-09-03

monotony of waiting being lightened by
| the view of the multitude of craft whlch
| filled the channel, either on the way down
| to meet the squadron or seeking good
situations from which to see the parade
as 1t passed.
The weather could not have been better.
except perhaps it was rather warm.
There was scarcely any breeze. The sky
was clondless and the waters Of the har-
Dor were as blue as the expanse above
them. The heat which was not oppres-
sive to the throngs on the hillsides of the
surburbs, made it uncomfortable for the
thousands of city folk who were depen-
dent upon the docks and wharves along
the water front. The fact, however,
| seemed to have no apparent effect on those
restricted to city limits, or every, avail
able space was occupied hours before the
vessels possible could reach here.
The decorations on the big buildings
along the water front were confined prin-
cipally to the American flags which were
hung from every window. The ships
were most elaborately trimmed with. Old
nants, streamers and bunting were hung
from stem to stern.
:. The feeling of hospitality and patriotic
interest in the brave mon whichSfirst
prompted the plan of formal reception
was orystalizei in the form OF message
sent to the navy department. at Washing
ton by Gov. Wolcott The suggestion
met with hearty response from Assls-
tant secretary of the Navy Allen.a Massa-
chusetts man, to whose cooperation prob
ably the presence of the battleship Massa-
chusetts was due. The vessels ordered to
Boston were instructed to rendezvous
at Provincetown and proceed up the har-
Dor in squadron formation. When it was
learned that the fleet would rally at
Provincetown Gov. Wolcott dispatched
Gen. Carter of his Official staff to meet
the commanders there and make all nec-
essary arrangements to properly receive
the officers and also give the people of the
Commonwealth an opportunity to partic1-
pate in the event. The arrangements
were somewhat delayed by the, e,faot that
Gen. Carter reached Provlnoetown We'd
nesday Capt. Higginson, the senior officer
of the feet, did not join his ship until
yesterday noon. But late last evening
Gov. Woloott was informed that all of his
suggestions had been accepted and an
elaborate programme laid out, which in
cluded not only the parade OF the ships TO-
day, but O reception to the officers and
men on shore, dinner as guests of the
Governor, q street parade and other feat
ures.
The plans for the departure of the feet
from Provincetown were carried out
without serious break, The vessels hav-
ing 6Cdru6u ouOI0 Juou u LULU bcloI0
Z O'Clock. They were due off Boston
light at 10 O'Clock but were late In reach
ing there as they had just been sighted
three miles below the light at noon. A
large fleet of craft of various sorts and
sizes were in waiting and as soon as the
Massachusetts came in view she was Civ
en- noisy reception. Whistles shrill and
hoarse and sirens entered into the COM
petition to develop the greatest volume of
sound possible, while the spectators gave
cheer after cheer.
When the ships drew off toward the
narrows between Boston light and Fort
Warren the first welcoming gun doomed.
The 1st heavy artillerymen stationed at
the fort started the demonstration and the
Massachusetts replied in kind. From
that point up to the navy yard the ova-
tion continued. Multitudes oheered,
myriads of whistles, flags waved almost
without interruption. AS the vessels
came in sight of the navy yard the Massa-
chusetts fired a salute of II guns in honor
of the commandment. Commodore Howison
and the saluting battery at the yard re-
sponded with seven guns for Capt. Hig-
ginson.
The fleet finally came to anchor at $50
and every one of the leaden hued vessels
was Immediately surrounded ny swarm
of row boats filled with men, women and
children eager to Chamber aboard and
A large portion of the crew of each Of
the vessels was given shore leave and soon
the blue Jackets were coming ashore BY
the boat load. It was stated on the Mas
sachusetts that just after leaving Prov
incetown Bandsman Ward OF the ship
died of fever. The decks of the ships
were crowded all the afternoon and it
was with some difficulty that some of the
curious were persuaded to go ashore.
The officers came ashore about tonight
and with Gov. Wolcott and Mayor Quincy
held reception in Faneuil hall, which
was we'll attended.
Tomorrow the feature of the day will be
street parade of the men of the entire
ties5 after which the seamen and marines
will be given collation. in Faneuil hall
-Four officers from each ship will be en-
tertained at dinner at the Algonquin
club. by Gov. Wolcott Either Monday
or Tuesday as many of the men as can be
spared from the fleet will be taken to
Nantasket where the city. through Mayor
Quincy will give them clambake.
While the officers were holding their RS
ception the searohlights of the fleet assist
ed by lively thunder storm in the north
ern sky, gave spectacular display tnat
glittered in the heavens over the city for
an hour or more, while for the first ime
in it's history the dome of the state house
was illuminated by $50 incandesce Mt
lights. There was circle of lights at
the top of the cupalo and two circles ;au
the junction with the dome. The effect
was very beautiful. The illumination
could be seen many miles down the har-
Dor and at great distance on land.
n IrrN