Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-09-06
THE CRUISER KEW YORK.

here until Friday to review the naval
parade and visit the squadron, but the
presidents desire to return to Wash
ington last night caused rearrange-
ment in the programme. The visit of
the president to the squadron proved to
be the greatest marine spectacle ever
seen here. 1t was the intention tOhave
Mckinley to visit only the New York,
but he grew so enth asiastic over the
great fighters that he suddenly made
up his mind to inspect all of them. Ac-
cordingly he visited the flagship New
York, cruiser Brooklyn. and the battle
ships Indiana, Massachusetts and
Texas. 1t was his intention to also Wis
it the cruiser Detroit, but much to his
regret he was unable to do so on ac-
count of lack of time.
There was almost a continuous roar
of guns during the one and three-quar-
ters hours that ii took to inspect the
vessels. In all 462 guns were fired by
the squadron in presidents salutes.
During the early afternoon everything
was hustle on the six big vessels and
the decks of all of them were soon
stripped of every movable article. At
4:I5 the president boarded the barge
He was accompanied by Secretaries
Root and Wilson, Lieutenant Com
mander Winslow, Mayor Ashbridge
United States Senator Sewell, Director
of Public Works Haddcck and Director
of Public Safety English. Every vessel
in the harbor propelled by steam let its
whistle go. and this with the cheers of
the crowds on shore made deafening
noise.
The president was the first to step on
board of the flagship from the steep
ladder that hangs over the New Yorks
side. and as he did so the entire squad
ron belched forth the presidents salute
of twenty-one guns, or 126 guns in all.
The bands of all the ships simultan-
eousIy played Hail to the Chief" The
president was received at the gangway
by Rear Admiral Sampson and the staff
officers of the ship, who were in special
full dress uniform. The rail was
manned by the men during the formal
greeting. The call to quarters was
then sounded and every man on board
ship sprang to his place just as though
an engagement was about to start.
The sight greatly pleased the presi-
dent. He was then shown over the
whole ship, starting at the aft turret
in which two S-inch guns are located.
Standing within the small enclosure OF
the turret were eight men, naked to the
waist. who were going through the mo-
tion of loading, sighting and firing the
guns. Tne president watched the pro-
ceedlng with much interest. 1t TOOK
half an hour to go over the vessel. and
so interested did the president become
that he expressed a wish to visit the
other ships, which he did in turn.
Tie return of the president to the
shore was an inspiring one. The Texas
was moored farthest up the river and
the presidential party had TO pass each
of the great vessels on its return to
shore. The river was alive with craft
crowded to their utmost capacity, and
a great noise was being made. AS the
barge neared the flagship the signal
was given to salute and the six big
ships again belched forth a terrific sa-
lutte. Every man and officer on the
ships stood at attention and the bands
added to the din by again playing
Hail to the Chief" The barge was
stopped while the salute was being
fired and after it had ceased the twelve
brawny sailors pulled for the shore.
closing one of the most patriotic scenes
that has ever taken place on the river
PRESIDENT MAKES TWO SPEECHES.
One at the OmeiaI weIoeme and Another
at a Banquet
The official welcome of the Grand
Army took place last night in ths