The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-21
AN INSPIRING DEMONSTRATION
AS THE IRONCLADs PASSED THE
BATTERY AND RECREATION PIER.
1.-THE star-SpangIed Banner" Sung by
Mighty Characterization of the
City Presented by Mayor Van Wyck.

NEW YORK. Aug. 2o.-Hundreds of thou
sands of people along the banks of the Hud-
son and thousands on all styles of river
craft blended their shouts in a royal well
come to the returned North Atlantic squad
ron, under command of Rear Admiral
Sampson, and as fine an August day as
could be desired was natures tribute to the
return of the victors. For almost three
solid hours steam whistles of all sizes,
steam sirens and small guns along the
shores shrieked and doomed in the effort to
display the heartiest enthusiasm for the
home coming of the naval heroes with their
hattle-scarred ships.
Early in the morning the seven big ships
the New York. Iowa. Indiana. Brooklyn,
Massachusetts, oregon and Texas--lay in
New York bay just off TompkinsviIle, S. l.
There was no idea with Admiral Sampson
that New York city was prepared for d
rousng reception, but the news was brought
shortly by q tug from the navy yard and
all the ships of the squadron were imme-
diately put under preparations for dress re-
view. BY o'clock the big, dull looking
fighting ships, looming high above the pic
turesque confusion of smaller craft, which
had come down to get a glimpse of the
ships, ready for movement. Strung out
along their decks, in long, regular lines,
were the white uniformed jackes, with here
and there a blue coated officer, all strongly
contrasted against the sombre lead-colored
armor of the ships.
When the hour for the start came, it
looked if it would be impossible for the
great ships to make their way through the
perfect jam of river craft. Vessels of all
descriptions from the smallest steam
launch to the great ocean liner were
banked around the squadron. Cheers and
shouts of welcome rose from every deck
and the boat whistles all joined in the
shouts of welcome Suddenly there was a
movement on the flagship New York as the
big ship started forward with slow, state
ly glide She was Immediately followed by
the other six vessels iii the following order:
Iowa, Indiana Brooklyn, Massachusetts,
Oregon, Texas.
1t was some time before the ships could
get into review formation, but by the time
the New Yorlx's prov came in line with
Governors island the other ships had
formed in a regular line.
The start was made accompanied by tre-
mendous cheering, screechng voices and
booming cannon. From Castle William
came the first salute. 1t was merely flash
of bright red, which was Immediately
smothered in a sheet of smoke before the
defamation was heard. Then came the roar
across the waters, and 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 crowding the war ships close, were
damned with passengers, sinking the sides
of the vessels to their guard rails on one
side, giving the impression that even the
ships themselves bowed in unconscious sa-
lutte to the returning naval heroes. The
width of the Hudson river was struggling,
f1uttering, darting mass of color, confusion
and cheers.
AS the vessels moved further up the
river the water, which had been calm at
the Battery, was churned by the action of
the hundreds of steamers and waves dashed
over the small boats, and sheets of spray
dampened the passengers the lower
decks of the larger steamers. AS the grim
looking battle ships 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 amphitheater. Tens of thousands of
persons covered the green SIOpe anu DIS the
battle ships approached a mighty cheer
arose that reverberated back and forth
across the Hudson.
At the bottom of the slope an observa-
ton train crawled lazily along, keeping
even with the ships; above this the vast
sea of humanity. and browning this General
Grants tomb. which was to mark the be-
ginning of the return of the squadron,
wi a cl1;1
was fired. The tomb, standing high, white
and solemn, far above the waters Of the
river, looked to be built upon a foundation
of faces.
For the first time in the parade the battle
ships drew together. Just at the point Of
return there was momentary lull, as if
expectant of the climax. Suddenly from
the sides and turrets of the battle ships
there was a vivid flash. following this a
tremendous roar, announcing the first gun
of the national salute. The heavy smoke
cured and tumbled down towards the
water and up into the air until the ships
had been almost hidden, but the roar. COM
ing again and again. seemed to rock the
waters themselves. 1t was an imposing
spectacle as the big battle ships doomed a
salute to the Nation as the war ships sa-
luted the final resting place of General
Grant, and the guns that sounded the knell
of Admiral Cerveras ships at Santiago
doomed reverential obeisance to the dead
hero.
The salute ended, the return of the squat
ron along the line of review was begun. 1t
was a repetition of the enthusiastic scenes
on the way up the river. Every whistle
that could be brought into use played It's
part: every bell every band joined Ia hon