Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-08-20
TO-DAY'S TELEGRAPHIC NEWS
WEI,coME TO THE FLEET.
Admiral SIMPSONS Victorious War
ships Pass in Review-An Inn
posing Naval Pageant.

posing Naval Pageant.
New YORK, Aug. 20.-Admiral
SIMPSONS feet was sighted OFT the
Highlands at $50 this morning. At
S o'clock, the ships, with the cruiser
New York leading, were in the lower
bay, heading for the naval anchorage at
Tompkinsville, Staten Island.
The marine observers at Sandy Hook
gave them their first welcome. A
broom was fastened to the fagpole
there, Just above the national ensign,
indicating that the sailors had swept
the seas clear of the enemy. Signal
fl ,gs also huttered from the pole, con.
veying II e message: well done, boys" "
Each ship, as she passed the station,
dipped her colors in acknowledgement
of the compliment.
1t was nearly s o'clock when the New
York entered the channel leading to
the bay. She was followed by the
Iowa, Indiana, Brooklyn, Massachu-
sets, and Oregon in the order named:
The men on the ships were nearly all
on deck, gathered we'll forward, and
seemed glad to again see the familiar
headlands which they had left behind
six months or more ago. The war
ships were not held at Quarantine, but
proceeded directly to the anchorage at
Tompkinsville, where they arrived
about ten o'clock. Ga the shores
there were gathered thousands of per-
sons was cheered the ships.
Huge flags futtered in the wind,
borne high on mast tops and Aagstatfs.
The blue flag of Admiral Sampson
could easily be made out flying from
the New York, while the red flag of the
next in command futtered above Ad-
mirsl Schley's flagship the Brooklyn.
Pleasure craft filled with enthusiastic
people and Dire sed with multi.colored
flags from stem to stern, had been pass
ing down the bay all morning. They
were now gathered around the ships Of
the fleet like flock of laughing boys
around some much adored and much
envied adults. Cheers rose continuous
" from the crowds af1oat and ashore.
The fleet did not anchor at Tompkins-
Vile but the ships passed on and head
ed for the Hudson river. The Texas,
which bad been lying at the navy yard,
ioined the fleet here.
Secretary of War Russell A. Alger
and his party arrived in Jersey City at
o'clock this morning. In the party
were Secretary OF the Treasury and
Mrs. Lyman J. Gage, Secretary of Ag-
riculture Wilson, Governor Pingree of
Michigan, and Major Hopkins. At
torney General Griggs, Postmaster
General Smith and Secretary of the H.
terror Bliss arrived on an early train.
Both parties boarded government tugs
and went TO Tompkinsville, whore the
Cabinet members witnessed the
popular demonstration from the
deck of the New York. 1t was
nearly 10 o'clock when the steamboat
Glen Island, having on board Mayor
Van Wyck and other city officials, the
committee of one hundred and invited
guests, steamed to Tompkinsville.
Here the Mayor and committee of
t Il boarded police boat and went TO
the flagship. Once aboard the cruiser
the party walked aft, through line of
sailors, tc where Admiral Sampson and
the remainder of the officers of the
New York were standing. Formal
greetings were exchanged and then
Mayor Van Wyck delivered an address
of welcome to the commander OF the
fleet. Admiral Sampson thanked him
and the nation for The greeting in
few chosen words. AT the conclusion
OF the ceremonies, which were simple
a. d brief, the Mayor and his party re
turned to the Glen Island and soon
thereafter the naval parade pageant
got under way.
The welcome to the fleet was extrav
agart in its enthusiasm, jubilant in its
expression, and proiourd in its sincerity.
IL was the first opportunity the Ameri
Can people have had of demonstrating
in public way their gratitude for the
great achievements of the Santiago
squadron, and throughout long day
OF greeting there was no stint in the
welcome, no pause in the shouts and
cheers, no cessation of the spirit OF re.
joicing at sight of the vessels. The
hearts OF the officers and crews were
gladdened by the royal welcome ex-
tended to them. Such an outburst OF
enthusiasm was never before witness
ed on the banks of the Hudson or any
river. Staid citizens We'd with the
younger men in bowling themselves
hoarse and women and children shrek.
ed shrilly aud waved flags to show
their appreciation of the heroic work of
the gallant tars. Guns doomed at inter
walls aud the steam craft on the river
added to the din by the continuous
blowing of their sirens and whistles.
The demonstration started 10 the upper
bay by the booming of the guns in the
forts. As the warships approached the
Battery the cheering began, and, as
they slowly moved up the river, it
was taken up by the crowds on the
piers, bulkheads and on the shipping
OH both sides OF the stream.
A fairer day for the parade could not
have been chosen. The sun shone
bright and cool breeze from the north
made outdoor life delightful.
The scene was inspiring and one
never to be forgotten. The leaden.col-
ored warships led by Admiral Samp-
sons flagship, the New York. gaily
decorated with flags, steaming up the
middle OF the river, formed the central
figures in the picture. Nearer the
shores, but we'll astern of the feet,
were hundreds of steamboats,, yachts
and tugs laden with cheering thou.
sands, while hundreds Of thousands CT
enthusiastic people lined the banks of