The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-21
Down THE BAY.
The BattIe-Scarred ships Greeted
with Cheers and Cannon Salutes.


NEW YORK, Aug. 20.-The fleet of Ad-
miral Sampson was reported off the High
lands early and soon the bay began to liven
up with gaily dsclxed vessels of all kinds,
from an ocean liner to small rowing craft.
The navy yard tug Nina, which put out to
sea yesterday afternoon to intercept the
fleet. returned, passing the Narrows at $40
O'Clock. The James, w. wadsworth was
put at the disposal of the public, and at 9
q. rn when the fleet was reported APP
preaching the Narrows, all who desired
were taken on board. The Cunard liner
Campania passed out and several smaller
craft. The fleet approached the Narrows in
the following orde... about a cables length
apart
New York. armored cruiser. flagship of
Rear Admiral Sampson. commanding North
Atlantic squadron. Capt. F. E. Chadwick.
Iowa, battle ship, Capt. Robley D.
Evans
Indiana, battle ship. Capt. H. C. Taylor.
Brooklyn. arfnored cruiser. flagship of
Rear Admiral schley. Capt. F. A. Cook.
Massachusetts,. battle ship, Capt. F. ].
Higginson.
Oregon. battle strip. Capt. A. S. Barker.
The New York was flying Rear Admiral
SIMPSONS blue flag, with two white stars.
Her decks were crowded with her white
clad crew. who lined up, silently observing
the animated scene.
At 9:24 Fort Hamilton fired the opening
gun of the salute, Fort Wadsworth follow
ing The Iowa returned the salute. The bluff
shores of Staten island were crowded with
people, cheering and waving flags, bunting
flying from every flagstaff and innumera-
BILE craft. crowded with eager passengers.
were cheering and waving frantically The
soldiers crowded the embankment of the
forts, cheering and shouting. Smoke from
the forts hung over the water, but was
soon dispelled by the light breeze. Yachts,
tugs, sailing craft and ocean steamers
added attraction to the marine picture.
The steam yacht Eleanor, covered with
flags from the tip of her jbboom over her
three masts to the taffrail and from each
masthead on both sides to the rail, led the
fleet Health officer Doty ran alongside
the flagship New York, and after brief
conversation with the surgeon, who re-
ported "al well throughout the squadron"
the fleet continued on without abating its
slow pace.
The Brooklyn, in passing, did not display
the flag of Rear Admiral Schley. Her CEN
ter funnel was seen to have been shot
through the starboard side. The Brooklyn
was flying her battle ensigns, which looked
stained and frayed as if they had seen
plenty of service. AS the squadron APP
preached Tompkinsyille the New York sa-
luted the battle ship Texas. which lay at
anchor, flying the flag of Commodore
Philip The salute was returned by the
Texas The fleet slowly assembled off
Tompkinsville, and then proceeded up to-
ward the North river, in the same order,
with the Texas in the rear, accompanied by
an immense crowd of river craft, leaving
the st. Paul at anchor at her usual station
off Tonpkinsville.
While the fleet was passing in through
the Narrows two explosions on the surface
of the water near Fort Wadsworth, pre-
sumaby of loose gun cotton other ex-
plosives, shot up immense columns of
water about hundred feet high. which
added to. the novelty of the occasion.
The parade, which commenced at the Mar
rows at $3.50 o'clock, was continued at
Tompkinsvile, and at 1890 the Texas, the
last of the seven war vessels, took her place
in line, the full length of which extended
from Governors island to Tompkinsvile.