The Republican journal., 1899-08-17
Arrival of the Texas.


wired Admiral Sampson last week. asking
him if he could not send one of his ships to
Belfast and Northport. He received a tele-
gram Sunday evening from Admiral Samp-
son stating that the Texas would be in Bel
fast, Aug. 16th and at Northport, Aug.
18th. The fleet sailed from Bar Harbor
Monday, and the Texas came directly to
Belfast, coming up the western bay and
dropping anchor in the lower harbor about
p. M She had not been in port long when
yachts and rowboats began to encircle her,
and far into the moonlighted night the
sound OF oars and of merry voices could be
heard over the water The ship herself was
pretty sight with her white sides and bril-
liant lights.
Tuesday the Texas was open to visitors
from lO a. m. to p m, and the steamers
Alice Howard and Castine made trips to and
from the battleshp as rapidly as possible
The latter also made one trip from Searsport
to the warship. The Visitors were very
courteously treated while on board the Of
ficers and men answering all questions and
the former showing the visitors about and
explaining the workings of thu guns, ma
chinery, etc The principal points of inter-
est We're the rapid fire guns, the great rifles,
the steering apparatus, the signals and the
tail of the great craft. Quartermaster
explained the work on the bridge and in the
coming tower; gunners showed the mechan.
ism of their pieces electricians and engineers
explained the apparatus under their care ;and
the visitors who were on board at O'Clock
saw the great derrick take a steam launch
from the water and land it on its rest on the
upper deck.
In addition to the steamers large num-
Der OF other crafts visited the ship, each
bringing load There were steam launch
es, sail boats and row-boats, all plying be-
tween the man-of-war and the shore.
Tuesday morning the reception committee,
consisting of Mayor G. o. Poor, Postmaster
A. |. Brown and Collector of Customs j. S.
Hartman, visited the ship, making the trip
in the steam yacht Idalette, which her own
er, Mr.. A. Fl. A. Grnschner of Watertown,
kindly offered for the purpose. The CON-
mittee We're royalty entertained by Capt
Sgsbee and his officers and shown every
possible courtesy and attention.
In the afternoon Capt. Sigsbee and seven
OF his officers came ashore and were enter
Jained by the committee. With the city
officials and number of ladies carriage
ride was taken to Northport Camp Ground,
making brief call at the Hotel. From
thence they went to the cottage of Mr. j. w.
Dougan On the North Shore, where a re-
ception was given by Mr.. and Mrs. J. w
Dougan and Mr.. and Mrs. L George Dod-
worth that could hardly have been exceed
ed had the visitors been in metropolitan
city or at the most fashionable summer re-
sort. The hosts and hostesses thoroughly un-
derstand the art of entertaining, and they
did due L1aoI " tlIeir distinguished guests
The officers of the ship again came ashore
in the evening and were taken by carriages
to the southerly junction of High and Church
streets, where the Belfast Band gave one of
its best concerts. The music was highly
appreciated by the visitors and the Band re-
ceived many compliments
In the afternoon the Belfast base ball team
played game with nine from the ship,
which resulted in victory for the home
good players, but could not get on to New
ngham, while our boys found their pitcher
not at all difficult to hit Herman Patterson,
as usual led the record with l single. 3 2
base hits and home run, hits with total
of H. Fred Johnson and Bothwick, the
left fielder of the Texas team, each got a
single double and 3-bagger, 3 with a
total of 6. Newingham struck out s. and
Rue 5. There was a large attendance at the
game.
Critchett, Sibley & Co. shut down the shoe
factory to allow the help to visit the war
ship attend the bali game.
During the evening the search light of the
Texas was shown to good advantage, despite
the moonlight, and fireworks were sent up
from the yacht Palmer. The scene il the
afternoon and early evening was one long to
be remembered. The weather was simnlv
perfect, and gentle northwest wind was
blowing, while the bay was dotted with the
white sails of yachts and with excursion
steamers fitting to and fro.
The Waldo Club entertained the officers
of the Texas Tuesday evening at their
rooms in Masonic Temple.
Wednesday forenoon Capt. Sigsbee sent a
| launch ashore and took Mayor Poor and
wife, Postmaster Brown and wife and Mrs
Hartman to the ship, where they were hand
sOmely entertained.
In the afternoon Collector Hartman and
wife gave reception 30 Capt Sigsbee and
his officers at their new residence on Pearl
| street.
Wednesday evening Mrs. Barker, owner
of the Northport Hotel and Mr.. French, the
landlord, gave'a reception and hop to the
commander and his officers
To-day, Thursday, Capt. Sigsbee, Mayo
Mortand and wife of Rockand, and the Bel
fast reception committee, with their wives
will dine with Senator Frye at the North
port Hotel.
The ship will be open to visitors from 10
to to-day, and will leave for Newport at 8
The steamer Alice Howard will run from
Belfast and the Camp Ground.
The Texas appe ars in the U S. Navy list
as "tirst rate" with displacement of g.
3l5 TONS tonnage, 1926; length, 301 feet and
4 inches extreme breadth, 64 feet, inch: :
mean draft, % feet, q inches She was huilt