The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-09-28

sire 81 the navy department not to de-
tract In any way Of the honors to be
accorded Dewey.
An officer from Fort Hancock short
ly afterwards came aboard to convey
the formal welcome Of the army, and
then, a few minutes after .. just as
the tide turned food, .the Olympia
weighed anchor and began her Journey
up the bay. The tugs and harbor
craft, which had been lowering about
since daylight, footing and shrieking
their salutations at every opportunity,
fell into her wake and pulled proudly
IN behind hsr. Every vessel she pass
ed gave her vaporous salute, and as
the shipping increased the noisy DEM
onstration became almost continuous.
The figure of the hero OF the day was
in full relief against the sky as he
stood upon the bridge chatting with
Assistant Secretary Allen and the
group Of officers. He occasionally
turned and smiled and bowed to the
noisy escort.
Ship after ship took its turn in doing
honor to the admiral as the Olympia
swept grandly up the line Of floating
fortresses and the food of sentiment
welled up within their hearts. Admiral
Dewey, from the bridge, acknowledged
each salute with a wave of his cap.
He alone. of all the officers of the
fleet, was In fatigue uniform. As the
Olympia swept by the New York, the
last ship of the column, the full ma
rine band aboard the Olympia played
Sousa's Eel Captain" march, and the
spectators on the excursion feet cheer
ed. The shippers turned loose their
whistles and sirens. Everything that
could make noise Joined.
Receiving the Onicial Visits.
In few moments the Olympia came
to anchor, and then came the admirals
and captains from all the ships troop
ing in their swift water carriages to
pay their respects to the nations hero.
As they came aboard they were given
the honors due their rank. Admiral
Dewey was still In fatigue uniform
when he received his old classmates
at the gangway. The official visits to
the Olympia lasted for over an hour
Meantime scores of rowboats, tugs,
launches and yachts formed about her.
many with relatives, swesthearts or
friends aboard. Almost the first to
make the gangway was the Narkeeta,
with Admiral Dewey's relatives. The
party was given warm greeting and
taken to the cabin. One Officer was SO
overjoyed at the sight Of the wife he
had not seen for % months that he
rushed down the gangway and kissed
her in the presence of 10000 people.
Some Of the visitors had flowers for
the admiral and more good things for
the crew. One man presented the crew
with a rowboat of watermelons. As
soon as Admiral Dewey could detach
himself from those who were 10 eager
to see him he returned the official
visits, which the etiquette Of the occa-
sion required. He first called upon Rear
Admiral Sampson, whose ship lay next
to his, and then upon Rear Admiral
Howison, at the other end Of the line.
For this ceremony the Admiral him.
self donned the full uniform Of his
rank. There was pretty ceremony as
he went aboard the New York and the
Chicago, and as the little launch in
which he passed each ship of the
squadron the sides were manned. the
drums were rolled, the bugles blown
and the officers at the waist saluted.
Rear Admiral Howison's appearance
in the harbor will In no wise inter-
fere with the program tomorrow. 1t will
be carried out as arranged, except that
his flagship, II 1t should Join the pa
rade, would follow the Olympia, in
stead of Rear Admiral SIMPSONS flag
ship, New York. But 1t Is not certain
that Admiral Howison will take part.
He Is reported to have said that he
and his crew were worn out after their
long journey and preferred to rest and
clean up their travel stained ship. II
he should ride In the land parade on
being SIMPSONS senior, he
will precede the commander OF the
North Atlantic squadron.
0R,Beautiful Harbor Decorations.
Viewed from the shore skirting
either Staten Island or Bay Ridge. the
Narrows took on the appearance last
night Of big water fete, Venetian
carnival. What might have been taken
for great canal was formed by reve-
nue. cutters and warships, beginning
with the Olympia at st. George and
ending with the Onondaga, lying off
Quarantine. Between this line of
beautifully lighted warships and the
Staten Island shore darted brilliantly
illuminated launches carrying prettily
gowned women and occasionally q
party of naval officers respondent in
gold braided dress uniforms. The
of the ships chased many
Of these elusive water greyhounds as
they scurried hither and thither.
The most unique illumination along
the shores of the harbor was the eff
fective display at the quarantine board
ing station above the Narrows. 1t
consisted OF the words Welcome
Home" In white electric lights, with a
border of red. white and blue lights
and an immense American flag, IA by
Is feet, set In an Illuminated frame Of
hundreds of white electric bulbs. This
display was visible all over the bay.
Tomorrow night the general illumina-
ton of the coast will take place.