Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-09-28
sAMPsoN's FLAG COMES DOWN.
Howison Outranks sHim-CompIiments of
President Mckinley.


After a good deal of '-wigwagging'
| from the bridges OF both ships the Chi
caGo dropped her anchor in the upper
| bay III the foot of the column formed
by the squadron anchored there. close
| i'll under the lee of Staten Island. Rear
Admiral 1ampSOn'S blue flag came
down as soon az the Chicago found her
berth. Rear Admiral HowiSOn is his
senior. and TO the main truck was
hauled up the two-Starred red pennant
which denoted that he was outrankSd.
Ii was explained subsequently that the
Chicago did not go TO the head of the
column. the position TO which she was
entitled. because the place had been
reserved for the Olympia. and TO have
gone there would have forced Dewey's
flagship beyond the edge of 1he main
ship channel. Rear Admiral SampSon'S
gig was Immediately lowered and he
went aboard the Chicago to pay his Of
ficial RESPECTS to his senior.
Meanwhile the beautiful white yacht
Dolphin. with Assistant Secretary Of
the Navy Allen aboard. had hurried
down TO the Olympia. Allen personally
was conveying TO Admiral Dewey the
greetings and compliments of PreSi-
dent Mckinley. He went aboard in Il
launch and WAS received ut the gang
way by the admiral himself. and with
due honor. An officer from Fort Han
cock shortly afterward came aboard to
convey the formal welcome of the
army and Ihen-a few minutes after o
just as the tide turned flood. 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
shrickinS their Salutatioms. at every
opportunity fell into her wake and
puffcd proudly up behind her.
Every vessel she passed gave her a
VapOrous salute. and aS the shipping in
creased the noisy demonstration he
caInr 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 Secre-
tary Allen. He occasionally turned AMI
smiled and bowed 10 the noisy escort
The grassy heights of both WadSworth
and Hamilton were thrOugrd with
spectators as he approached the Mar
rows. Suddenly u tongue of red flame
leapcd from the granite side of Fort
Wadsworih. and like the recoil came Il
strea!. Of fire from the g"arite wall ON
the opposite side. Then alternately
from each side came the deafeniug
roar of an admiral's salute OF seven
teen guns.
Slowly and ma icStically the Olympia
passed the SmOke-wrcatheu forts. an
swering the salute gun for gun until
she became enVeloped in her own
smoke. "hcn she pushed through the
smoke curtain and stood revealed he
fore the whole Atlantic squadron. wait
ing AT anchor off Tomplinsville 10 re
ceivc her. Along the railing of the
ships the iackics stood elbow To elbow.
and aft were the marines. drawn up TO
salute. \ few of the tarS ran up To the
fighting top. From the New York
barkcd the signal gun. 6-pOunder i'll
the StarbOard bow. and Immediately
every ship in the squadron helched
forth flame and smoke. Louder and
louder Numbered the guns as the Olym-
pia came on. She replied with the
thirteen guns tO which Rear Admiral |
Howison's rank entities him. On |
board the Olympia also the sides We're |
manned and the band and marine |
guard We're paraded.
As the Olmypia swept by the New
York. the last ship in the column. the |
full marine band aboard the Olympia |
played Sousa's 'El Captain" march, |
and the spectators on the excursion |
fleet che"red. The shippers turned |
loose their whistles and sirens. Every
thing that could make Il noise in the |
harbor joined. In few moments the |
sharp rattle of the anchor chain was
heard as tho Olympias anchor Gated |
from its bed iuto the water. Then
came the admiralS and captains from
all the ships rroopinC in their swift |
water carriages TO pay their respects to |
the nations hero. During this period |
also the admiraIS relatives went |
aboard and saw him