The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-08-21

tary lull. az IL expecting a climax. Sud
denly from the sides and turre,s OF the
battleships there was a vivid dash. fol-
lowing this tremendous roar. announc-
The heavy smoke curled and tumbied down
towards the water and up into the air un-
til the ships had been almost hidden. but
the roar coming again and again. seemed
10 rock the waters themselves. 1t was an
imposing spectacle as the big battleships
doomed salute 20 ufae nation. as the war
ships saiuied the final resting place OF
Gen. Grant. and the guns that sounded
the kneli of Admiral Cervera's ships at
Santiago doomed reverent obeisance to
the dead hero. The salute ended. the re-
turn OF the squadron along the line of re-
view was begun. 1t was q repetition of
the enthusiastic scenes on the way up the
river. Every whistle that could De brought
into use played its part; every bell. every
band Joining in honoring the feet, and
above all were the resounding echoes of
the shouts from on water and on land.
It passed the Battery on It's way up the
river. to the time 1t repassed on It's way
back to anchorage of Tonpkinsville. s. L,
occupied just Two hours and thirty-flvs
minutes.
The flagship New York led Sampson's
fleet into port this morning. passing the
Hook at a. N She was followed BY the
Iowa and Indiana Then came the Brook
Ign and Massachusetts,. the Oregon guard
ing the rear. Since leaving Guantanamo,
Sunday morning. no Incidents of unusual
nature. except a temporary breakdown on
the part or the Indiana, have marked the
homeward progress OF the fleet The acc:-
dent TO the Indiana was the breakdown
OF her eondensers Twice on the trip from
Guantanamo she had Jagged behind to
reduce speed SO the Indiana could catch
UP with them
Sampson. looking far better thar when
war commenced. ie very glad 10 sc. home
Speaking Of the crews, and especially Of
the crews OF the Indiana. Iowa and New
York. who have had no shore liberty for
seven months, he said:
They have borne privatlons In a manner
beyond all praise"
And summing up what had been one
of the mos. successful naval campaigns in
the history Of the world. Sampson said:
1.-The navy has been very fortunate We
have. I think. made no mistakes"
How snuch Sampson contributed 20 the
success OF the war by the efficiency Of his
advice and the splendid manner Ia which
he directed the lerges: fleet ever under the
command Of one man in the history Of the
United States. probably Will no, be known
or fully appreciated until the history OF the
war is written.
The health of the feet Ia excellent. The
ships reed docking sadly. ,ile Indiana and
Iowa especially. The first named will
probably require thorough overhauilur Of
her machinery.
In no way dii the big ships show the
sar. usage to which they have been sab
Jeetsi. The Brooklyn. with ,wersy.seven
holes, with the exception Of those through
the s7,oses,ack. had been patched. and
Ire big snip rsraintei ard polished un.n
she sho1e. On the xtareoara could be sess
a great steel patch over hole. where one
of the v.zcaya's shots wens through ana
on tAe quarterback. wooden patcsa. where
ths deck nsa been torn up, TIE arrer fse}.
holds prints CT large shells and a critical
eye can see the Dents made h, ss.varal
more. ever through the glaze ot the Few
paint. .The iowa has patch over .hA
oow. where she VAS hit By e-lnrh she'll
aa3 the Indiana had paschea.ap hole in
her deck. All Ire siiss haa bee, rsagr.aa
ard their pace trappsngs arranged so
that, as rsusasle OF the creates. r.,a,
battle ever fougAt, Trey are rather diSar-
pointing