Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-09-06


intention to have the chief executive
remain here until Friday to review the
naval parade and visit the squadron,
but the presidents desire to return to
Washington last night caused q rear
rangement in the program. The visit
of the president to the squadron proved
to be the greatest marine spectacle ever
seen here. There was almost continu-
GUS roar of guns during the one and
three-quarters hours that it took to in
spect the vessels. In all 462 guns were
fired by the squadron in presidents sa.
lutes.
Notwithstanding the fact that 1t was
not generally known that Mr.. McKin-
ley would visit the squadron, there was
wharf when he boarded the admiral 8
pulling barge, manned by twelve
bronzed sailors from the New York.
He was accompanied by Secretaries
Root and Wilson, Lieut.. Commander
Winslow, Mayor Ashbridge, Senator
Sewell. director Of Public Works Had
English. Every vessel in the harbor
propelled by steam let it's whistle go,
and his, with the cheers of the crowds
president was the first to step on board
of the flagship from the steep ladder
that hangs over the New York's side,
and as he did SO the entire squadron
belched forth the presidents salute of
twenty y-one guns. or 1875 guns in all. The
bands of all the ships simultaneously
played Hail to the Chief
The president was received at the
70. H.,
and the staff officers Of the ship who
were in special full dress uniforms. The
rail was manned by the men during the
formal greeting. The call to quarters
was then sounded and every man on
board ship sprang to his place just as
though an engagement was about to
start. Mr.. Mckinley was then shown
over the whole ship. starting at the aft
turret in which two eight-inch guns are
located. Standing within the small en-
CLOSURE of the turret were eight men
naked to the waist who We're going
through the motion of loading, sighting
and firing the guns. 1t took half hour
to go over the vessel, and so interested
did the president become that he ex-
pressed wish to visit the other ships.
AS he left the New York the entire fleet
lagain fired the presidents salute. Capt.
Taylor was at the gangway when the
chief executive came aboard the In
diana and was greeted again by twenty
| one guns.
The president was shown over the
battleship and was then rowed to the
Massachusetts, Brooklyn and Texas.
He did not inspect these vessels, but
merely contented himself by greeting
the commanders of each. On all these
vessels the men We're drawn UP along
| the rails, and all the officers were in
full uniform.
| The return of the president to the
shore was an inspiring one. The Texas
was moored farthest UP the river and
the presidential party had to pass each
| OF the great vessels on its return to
shore. The river was alive with craft
crowded to their utmost capacity, and
a great noise was being made. AS the
barge neared the flagship the signal was
given to salute, and six big ships again
belched forth a terrific salute. Every
man and officer on the ships stood at
attention and the bands added to the
din by again playing Hail to the
Chief"
President Mckinley proved to be a
good sailor. The river was very rough
and the barge constantly pitched vio-
llently, but the president rather enjoyed
the shake-up.
A noticeable feature of the visit to
the fleet was the presidential cordial
greeting Of the men on the ships. He
never once forgot the boys and bowed
1t o them upon boarding and leaving the
ships.