The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-09-30


pact mass. The broad arrow formation
still drove the head of the column forward
unmoested through the ranks of the
waiting vessels.
Wind and Rain Threaten
Here, too, a disaster of wind and rain
impeded. Storm clouds that had gathered
down the bay came close in the pageant's
wake. A sharp wind, bred white caps even
in the narrow river, and few rain drops
battered on the decks. The glare of an
angry sky turned the harbor behind the
warships to molten lead upon which the
gigantic figure of liberty seemed to stand
for time and was soon swallowed up in
a bank of gray haze. Then the thereafter
ing sky relented. The sun broke out ahead
and painted across the sullen clouds
rainbow arch that stretched from Manhat-
tan to the Jersey shore. 1t seemed a bit
of natures art work spread by kindly
miracle at the opportune moment, beggar-
ing any effort to describe it adequately.
The old Portmouth's crew manned the
rigging as the Olympia passed, and off
Grants tomb the naval reserves of the
ST. Marys did the same. Round the stake
boat the Olympia turned smartly, her guns
throbbing a deep-throated salute to the
resting place of another national hero.
The other vessels of the white squadron
swung around the st. Marys in turn, each
salutng the tomb, though at the head of
the line the sound of the further guns was
lost in the rear of steam whistles.
The turn of the parade broke the forma-
ton of the police boats beyond repair. The
!, ha ck iut o q
advancing boats threatened for time Sc
rious consequences, but the Olympia and
her consorts safely dropped anchor at last
in reversed column and the water pageant
passed the admiral in review. The police
boats rcappeared as individuals and UNI
tremendously shouldered intruding vessels
out of the line of march. The official pro-
cession and its varied following of tugs,
launches, steam dredges and excursion
boats rounded the st. Mary's and came
down the river in an indistinguishable mob
that was still passing aloag as the night
illumination had begun.
The Erin Becomes the Attraction
The British yacht Erin was the attrac-
ton along the river after the Olympia had
gone by and Sir Thomas Upton who had
on this side of the water and from England
was accorded an ovation all along the line.
Had it been possible for Admiral Dewey
to have obtained birds eye view Of
New York and its environs he would have
seen assembled in his honor the greatest
number of individuals ever attracted by
single man on single day, since the night
of ages. The estimates of those who helped
celebrate Dewey's arrival run from $500 ,ooO
upwards.
There were nearly 500 vessels in all in
the parade ard 1t took them more than
three hours to pass a given point.
The harmonious execution of the pro-
gramme and the pleasure of the witnesses
were not marred throughout the day by
serious accident. A piazza of an old house
on which too many had gathered fell into
the river with eight persons, but in shallow
water and broken leg was the only cas-
ualty.
The most serious i'll turn was the break
ing I'D of the exquisite float victory, which
was 10 have been a handsome adornment
of the pageant at Grants temp. The
crowds appeared in the city at night to see
the stupendous fire works display. This
proved to be as gorgeous and as many sa"
them as Witnessed the parade
From eight different points In Greater
New York fireworks were exhibited, the
grandest display being at the battery. Adj
m.ral Dewey witnessed the display at
Grants tomb. AT night. viewed from any
of the high buildings down town New YORK
appeared an enchanted city. The greater
buildings were bright with dazzling light
and gorgeous color On the rivers were
fairy bridges in the sky flashing shafts
of blue The water seemed ribbon OF
Iambent fame.
The Brookly bridge was halo of glory
from end to end, the feature being al
electrical welcome to Dewey. Great search
lights played from Brooklyn over the East
river.
An English View
London, September 30.-The Times in an
editorial tracing Admiral Dewey's career
says: