Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-08-21

bay and ocean at the time. The en-
tire population of Sandy Hook was on
the beach and clustered on the top of
batteries of Fort Hancock shouting
and swinging their hats and caps.
Flags and bunting were in sight
everywhere The men on board the
vessels crowded the decks, all look
ing neat, dressed in white duck or
blue clothing. Signals were made fire.
quently from the flagship to the fol-
lowing squadron. No salute was fired
from the fort. The New York left
quarantine for Tompkinsville at 9:S5.
All the boats started up the river ct
1910.
Since leaving Guantanamo on Sun
day morning no incidents of I'M
usal nature except temporary break
down on the part of the Indiana have
married the homeward progress Of
SIMPSONS fleet. Few ships were
passed. Smooth seas and fair winds
made the passage pleasant There was
occasional change of formation. Head
ing out from Cuba armor-clad ships
came in single columns, the New York
leading, the Iowa next, then the Indi-
ana, Brooklyn, Massachusetts and
Oregon. At night the fleet shone with
side lights. Portfolios, lit up by cleo
trio lights from within, blazed out on
the waters as the ships passed through
the Windward passage. 1t is months
since
SUCH AN ILLUMINATION
has been seen in Cuban waters, where
warships, blockade runners, trans
| ports and all sorts and conditions of
| craft have been threading their way
with all lights screened, great shad-
ows that passed silently Last night
there was a change to the original
column and trailing behind the ga
| liant 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 flagship
band to make all hands glad, for be-
| fore its jubilant airs were heard, eager
eyes had seen that low gray stretch Of
land which they knew as home.
The accident to the Indiana was
breakdown of her condensors Twice
on the trip from Guantanamo she has
Jagged behind to make repairs and the
other ships have reduced their speed
so that the Indiana could catch up
with them.
AS THE AIR GOT COOLER
the spirits of the 5000 men and officers
on board the six ships rose correspond
ingly. The relief from the perpetual
heat of Cuba was indeed appreciated
Admiral Sampson, looking far better
than when war commenced, is very
glad to get home. Speaking of his
| crews, and especially Of the crews of
the Indiana, Iowa and New York, who
have had no shore liberty for several
| months, he said: They have borne
their privations in a manner beyond all
praise" And summing up what has
been one of the most successful and
| important naval campaigns in the his
navy has been very fortunate. We
have, | think, made no mistakes"
The health of the fleet is excellent
| The ships need docking sadly, the In
diana, Iowa and New York especially.
| The first named will probably require
a thorough overhauling of her machin-
cry.
DOWN THE BAY.
The fleet of Admiral Sampson was
| reported off the Highlands early, and
! soon the bay began to liven up with
gaily decked vessels of all kinds, from
| an ocean liner to small sailing craft
| The navy tug Nina, which put out to
sea yesterday afternoon to intercept
the fleet, returned passing the Mar
rows at $40 o'clock.
| The James w. Wadsworth was put
at the disposal of the public and at
a. M, when the fleet was reported
| approaching the Narrows all who de-
| sired were taken on board. The Gu
nard liner Campania passed out. and
several smaller craft. The fleet ap-
preached the Narrows in the following
order, about cables length apart;
New York, armored cruiser, flagship
| of r ar Admiral Sampson, command
! ing North Atlantic squadron, Capt F.
E. Chadwick; Iowa, battleship, Capt
Robert D. Evans; Indiana, battleship,
| Capt H. c. Taylor; Brooklyn, ar
mored cruiser. flagship of Rear Admit
raj Schley, Capt F. A. Cook Massa-
| chusetts, battleship, Capt. F. J. Hig-
! ginson; Oregon. battleship, Capt. A. S.
Barker The New York was flying
Rear Admiral SIMPSONS blue flag with
! two white stars. Her decks were
crowded with her Whitehead crew, who
! lined up silently observing the ANNA
| ted scene. At 1924 o'clock Fort Ham
] ilton fired the opening gun of the sa-
| lutte. Fort Wadsworth following. The
Iowa returned the salute The bluff
shores of Staten Island were crowded
with people cheering and waving
| INNUMERABLE FLAGS
Bunting was flying from every flagstaff
innumerable craft with eager passen-
gers were cheering and waving fran
tically The soldiers crowded the en-
| bankments of the forts, cheering and
| shouting. Smoke from the forts hung
! over the water. but was soon dispelled
by the light breeze. Tugs, yachts, sail
| ing craft and ocean steamers added at
traction to the marine picture.
The steam yacht Eleanor, covered
with flags from the tip Of her jibboom
! over the three mSStS m the ia rail