The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-09-28
NAVY THUNDERS A
GREETING TO DEWEY
CONTINUED from first page

sky as he stood upon the bridge chatting
with Assistant Secretary Allen and the
group of officers. He occasionally turn
ed and smiled and bowed to the noisy es-
cort.
The grassy heights of both Wads-
worth and Hamilton were thronged with
spectators as the Olympia approached
the Narrows. Suddenly tongue of red
flame leaped from the granite side of
Fort Wadsworth, and like the recoiI
came streak of fire from the granite
wall on the opposite side. Then, alter
nately, from each side, came the deafen-
ing roar of an Admirals salute of seven
teen guys.
Slowly and majectically the Olympia
passed the smoke-wreathed forts. an
swering the salute gun for gun until
she became so enveloped in her own
smoke that it seemed she might have
broken her steam chest. Then she
pushed through the smoke curtain and
stood revealed before the admirlng gaze
of the whole Atlantic Squadron, waiting
at anchor off ThompkinsvilIe TO receive
her. Every bit of brass and gilt on
every ship of the receiving column had
been FURNISHED, every spot on the white
bulls painted over and every marine
and sailor knew he was expected to
look his best Along the railing of the
ships the jackies stood elbow to elbow,
and aft were the marines drawn up to
salute. A few tars ran up to the fight
ing top. Every officer had donned his
most snowy uniform, and splendid they
looked with their gold epaulets and belts
and clanking swords, gathered in the
waist of the ships, as the Olympia APP
preached. From the New York barked
the signal gun, a siX-pounder in the
starboard bow, and Immediately every
ship in the squadron belched forth flame
and smoke Louder and louder thun-
dered the guns as the Olympia came
ON. She replied with the thirteen guns
to which Rear Admiral Howfson's rank
entitled him. On board the Olympia
also the sides were manned and the band
and marine guard were paraded.
AS the Olympia came abreast of the
Chicago the guard presented arms, the
drums gave four ruffles, the trumpets
four fourishes and the band played
Home, Sweet Home" The officers at
the waist raised their gold-bound beav-
ers, and the sailors cheered.
Ship after ship took its turn in doing
honor to the Admiral as the Olympia
swept grandly up the line of floating
fortresses Admiral Dewey, from the
bridge, acknowledged each salute with
wave of his cap. He alone, of all the
officers of the fleet, was in fatigue uni
form. As the Olympia swept by the
New York, the last ship in the column,
the full marine band aboard the Olym-
pia played Sousa's lei Captain" march,
and the spectators on the excursion fleet
cheered. The shippers turned loose
their whistles and sirens. Everything
that could make a noise in the harbor
joined in. Farther than ears could hear
the steam jets of the whistles ON craft
lying at the battery and up the North
and East rivers could be seen as they
roared their welcome. 1t was such a
soul-maddening concert of steam
whistles as American steamboat men
are famous for. In a few moments the
sharp rattle of the anchor chain was
heard as the Olympia's anchor Gated
from its bed into the water. Then came
the Admirals and Captains from all the
ships trooping in their swift water car
tons hero.
First Rear Admiral Howison with his
aides, splendid in gold braid arrived
As they came aboard they were given
the honors due their rank Admiral
Dewey was still in fatigue uniform when
he received his old classmate at the
gangway. There was "a cordial smile
and hearty handshake, with a How
are you. Howison," that thrilled the
spectators. The official visit to the
Olympia lasted for over an hour. Mean
time scores of rowboats, tugs, launches,
and yachts formed about her, many with
relatives or sweethearts or friends of
those 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.
AS soon as Admiral Dewey could de-
tach himself from those so eager to see
him, he returned the official visits which
the etiquette of the occasion 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 himself donned
the full uniform of his rank There was
a pretty ceremony as he went aboard the
New York and the Chicago, and as the
little launch in which he sat passed each
ship of the squadron, sides were mann
ed, the drums were rolled, the bugles
blown and the officers at the waist sa-
luted.
Upon the return of the launch to the
Olympia the jackstaff from which his
flag fiuttered was taken down by Ad-
miral Dewey's orders, and these formal
ceremonies Were thus omitted. Then
there were other official visits between
officers of the feet and these continued
with hardly an interruption for two
hours.
Rear Admiral Howison's appearance
in the harbor will in no wise interfere
with the programme for Friday. 1t VIII
be carried out as arranged, except thai
his flagship, if it should join the parade
would follow the Olympia, instead OF
Rear Admiral SIMPSONS flagship New
York. But it is not certain that Ad
miral Howison will take part. He is
reported to have said this afternoon that
he and his crew were worn out after
their long tourney and preferred to rest