The daily morning journal and courier., 1899-07-04
NORTH ATLANTIC SQUADRON
CELEBR dTES Il KY OF DE- STR UCTION OF CERVER1'S SHIPS.
Warships Fire SaIutes Off Newport and the City Joins in the CeIebratfon--A Grand Illumtnat ation-Admtrnl Samp- son Present-Good Wishes Sent by the President and Secretary Long.

Newport, R. l., July 3.-With vivid recollection of the stirring events of a year ago this morning in which they played so prominent part, officers and crew of the North Atlantic squadron needed little incentive in their celebra- tion to-day of the first anniversary of the destruction of Admiral Cervera' s squadron off Santiago. From early morning until well toward midnight there was practically Fourth of July celebration, with cannon booming, row ing matches, crew sports banquet on of the whole fleet. All that was lack ing to make the day a great success was the presence of the four other great ships which played their part year ago-the Brooklyn, now in New York; the famous Oregon 14000 miles away in the Philippines; the Iowa, far off on the Pacific coast, and the two convert ed yachts Gloucester and Vixen. Their absence was regretted, but none was
 
 ship New York the battleships Massa- chustts Indiana and Texas. and the cruiser New Orelans, which constitutes the squadron now in the harbor.
 The city also joined in the celebration, with flag decorations, band concert, with fireworks at Fort Greene, while the numerous yachts in the harbor were not behind-hand in their display. There was some noise at ''coors" in. the morning, but the principal celebrat tion as far as gun fire was concerned was at noon. As soon as eight bells had been sounded on the flagship New York, puff of smoke arose from her starboard. This was q signal for the ships to com mence their bombardment, and in an incredibly short time each ship had fired tWenty-one guns from it's battery, and when the heavy smoke rolled away the stars and stripes were seen at the masthead alone. During the morning three races were held by the crews, the first being a ten-oared cutter race, which was won by the crew from the Massachusetts.
 To the officers, the principal event was the banquet this evening on the quarter
 
 son presided and besides the officers of the fleet the guests were Rear Admiral Edward O. Matthews, Rear, Admiral stephen E. Luce. Commander McCar- thy Little and Ensgns Max and Regi- pald Norman During the evening the harbor was illuminated not only by the searchlights from the fleet but by the different colored lights from the naval and torpedo stations, on the yachts and on shore. The eearchlights were also operated, The war college was outlin- ed in gems of light and at the torpedo station, stars and other decorative de- vices were suspended above the house. tops. Another was at Fort Green in the form of a set piece, containing an anchor and star and the lettering, July 3, 1898, Santiago de Cuba"
 The following was received from Pres ident Mckinley:
 Executive Mansion, Washington, D. C..
 July 5.
 The Commanding Officer, Flagship New
 York, Newport, R. l.:
 The president acknowledges with thanks the kind Invitation to be present at the naval banquet on the Flagship New York this evening to commemorate the battle of Santiago. He regrets that his duties at Washington prevent his acceptance, but he sends his most cordial good wishes on the occasion and his hearty concurrence in the cGmmcmoration of one of the most bril- liant victories in naval warfare. victory all the more glorious because it was made for peace.
 George Cortelyou,
 Acting Secretary,