The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-09-29
To the Hero of Manila Bay by the Warships
in New York Harbor.
A STRICTLY NAVAL FUNCTION
The Olympia Seams Amid Firing Sautes
andWarshps-Takes Position
"A and
Shp-The Chicago Steams Port-Comman.
of Exchange Visits with
of

New York, September 27.--Througn
frolicking whitecaps the Olympia steam
ed up the lower bay today and passed
through the picturesque strait, guarded
by Forts Wadswor:h h and Hamilton.
amid the booming of guns, and there,
inside the city gates, Admiral Dewey
and his gallant tars received the thun-
derous welcome of the steel walled ren-
of-war, as their stately ship glided up
to her position at the head Of the cod
umn, there to remain until the great
naval pageant starts on Friday. Never,
perhaps, did a triumphant warrior, re-
turning from a victorious campaign, re-
ceive more impressive welcome.
Although thousands upon thousands
witnessed it from shore, balcony, win
dow or housetops, and the man-of-war
anchorage at Thompkinsville where
the fleet lay fairly swarned with tugs.
yachts and steamers and every sort OF
harbor craft, all jet black with wild,
cheering, exulting people, and the tow
ering white waAIs OF the city beyond
were brave with a million welcoming
flags, tOday's greeting to Dewey was
the greeting of his comrades OF the
navy. And it was eninenty fitting
that his comrades in arms should have
the first chance ait him whom the mil
lions are waiting to honor.
The people Will begin to get al him
ON Friday and Saturday. The out
. ward appearances Of the welcome ne
received from the fleet was strictly pro-
fessional. One can find the saluIes
the trumpet flourishes, the drum rufHes,
fl,a af v~i1,n nd
all the rest of the ceremonies done in
his honor today, described in the naval
regulations as due to one of his rank;
but that only Impressed the mind the
more, because even naval regulations,
rigorous and inelastic as they are, could
not restrain the pent-up enthusiasm
when it broke forth, as it did OCCASION
ally in rounds of cheers, amy more than
it could the bell cords of the shippers
and the joy-mad people aboard th-
excursion boats. Cheering is not per-
mitted by the naval regulations aboard
men-of-war, but no reproOf followed
ttoday's breaches of discipline.
1t was perfect day, though drifting
clouds driven by a strong land breeze,
obscured the sun during the morning
and the waves OF the lower bay were
capped with white foam. In the after
noon the flying clouds disappeared, the
breeze died away and the sun bathed
the sea in brflliance.
TRIVIAL OF THE CHICAGO.
Very early in the morning, before
Dewey lett his anchorage inside Sandy
Hook, Rear Admiral Howison, COM
mander Of the South Atlantic squad
ron, aboard his flagship, the Chicago,
which arrived outside last night, trave.-
stained and weather-beaten after her
journey of 1000 miles around South
Africa, fOamed in past the Hook, ex-
pecting to join the North Atlantic
squadron in receiving Dewey upon his
arrival. AS Howison rounded the Spit,
there right under his eye lay the Olym-
pia. The surprise on the face Of every
man aboard the Chicago could be dis
cerned without the aid OF glasses. But
surprise is not an emotion men in tie
navy indulge in long and Dfwey's flag
ship was no sooner recognized than
preparationS WeTc made to give her the
loudeSt and most hearty welcome Lhe
ship could give. Sides were manned,
the marine guard was paraded and sew
enteen roaring guns were loOsed in hon
Or OF Dewey. The Chicago's jackies
cheered wildly as she steamed past.
The Olympia responded with thirteen
guns and the two adinirals, come to
gether from the two ends OF the earth,
waved a welcome 10 each other from
the bridges OF their respective vessels.
The Chicago continued on to the upper
bay and upon arriving there was salut-
ed by the New York
y Only the flagship of a squadron sa-
iutes upon the appearance Of a rear
gave only silent welcome to the voy-
ager.
Long lines of craZy-1uilting, the uni
versal language OF the sea, huttered
from the signal halyardS Of the New
York, Rear Admiral Simpsons flag
ship, and the Chicago, ard after a good
deal OF wig-wagging from the bridges
OF both ships, the Chicago dropped her
anchor at he foot Of the column, close In
under the lee of Staten island.
Rear Admiral Simpsons blue dag
came down as soon as the Chicago
found her berth. Rear Admiral Howl
son Is senior, and to the main truck
was hauled up the two-starced red PEN
nant which denoted that he was out
ranked. It was explained subsequent
1y 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 Olym-
pia, and to have gone there would have
forced Dewey's flagship beyond the
edge or the main ship channel.
Rear Admiral Sampson's gig was i'm
mediatefy lowered and he went abGard
the Chicago to. pay Ms official respects
to his senior. The captains of the 9TH
er ships, the Indiana, Massachusetts,
Brooklyn, Texas and Lancaster, follow
ed suit for naval etiquette is both
prompt and exacting
GREETINGS FROM THE PRESI-
DENT.
Meantime, the beautiful white yacht
Dolphin, with Assistant Secretary AL