New-York tribune., 1902-02-24
SHIPS ROAR A WELCOME.
THE SQUADRON FIRES TWO
NATIONAL .SALCTES.
WITH GERMAN FLAG DISPLAYED AND
TARS AT ATTENTION WARSHIPS
GIVE NAyY'S GREETING.


With the booming Of cannon and the dipping
u colors the ships of Rear Admiral Evans's
squadron, their sides, turrets and fighting tops
TANNED with swaying lines of blue clad sailors,
gave their official welcome to the German Prince.
whom the American Navy honors not only as
the representative of Emperor William. but also
az a gallant sailor. AS the Kronprinz Wilhelm,
with its royal passenger aboard came abreast Of
the bow OF the Olympia a starboard gun on the
Illinois crashed forth the first salute. At the
same moment the German naval flag broke forth
from the foretruck Of the warship. In rapid
succession the four ships of the squadron rang
out their salutes, while the white smoke from the
discharges half veiled the turrets and fighting
tops OF the ships. AS the last Of the eighty-four
shots sounded the German flag dropped from
the foretruck the lines OF marines the quar-
terdecks of the ships presented arms and the
bands played America" Slowly the big Ger
man steamship dipped her colors. three times
the flag dropped and rose, and then the Kron-
prinz Wilhelm passed on up the bay.
When at sunrise yesterday morning the Off
GERS and crew Of the squadron off Tompkins-
vile saw the clouds dispeed and the evidences
OF Saturdays storm vanish, their doubts and
fears were relieved For ttirty-six hours their
eyes had been fixed on the entrance to
the upper bay with eager anticipation. AS the
drifting ice had pounded and doomed against
snow, whrled by a strong nor'east gale. had
beaten upon the decks and shut of all view of
the bleak and inhospitable shore, they had
shaken their heads rnournfully and imagined
the first impression Prince Henry would receive
OF this country. But as the sun rose clear and
bright the view from the fleet was of such
beauty as 10 remove the last unpleasant mem
ory. On the nearby Staten Island shore the
trees bent under their burden of ice, and as their
Tha Iitybr hoy
flashed and glistened brilliantly. Hill. ledge and
field shone brightly: even the ugly warehouses
and ferry slips were covered with heavy
Of shining ice. The whole island looked if
nature had decided TO contribute its share to
the decorations in honor of the royal visitor,
and had far outshone all the feeble efforts of
the official world.
HAZE FROM THE LOWER BAY.
In the bay the fresh northerly wind sent the
whitecaps dancing merrily and flashing in the
sun. It also broke up the mass Of heavy ice
foes which has hung for days along the shore
and started IL seaward. From the ocean thick
haze drifted in before a. m. shutting out the
lower entrance TO the Narrows and cutting off
the view Of the thousands Of anxious watchers.
Somewhere behind that fog the Kronprinz and
her royal passenger were Fastening to the end
of their long voyage From the squadron and
from the hills and piers the Staten Island
shore thousands of eyes We're straining to pene-
trate the mists
The wsrships In column formation, the
flagship at the head and nearest Manhattan.
On both sides bove her deck line the Illinois
bore in huge white letters the words. Welcome.
Prince Henry" Above her pilot house. in similar
letters she showed her name, illinois" Astern
the Illinois lay the Olympia. her sides and tur-
rets white and trim after her recent overhaul
Ing. She also showed her in letters
stretched between her stacks. Astern Of her lay
the Cincinnati and the San Francisco. each
bearing her name in similar lettering. In this
order the ships lay anchor, swinging with the
tide. their saluting battery cleared for action
and their white hulls shining brightly, the Illi-
nois the type Of the latest. the Olympia of the
most famous of the ships of the American Navy.
BUsTLE ON THE FLAGsHIPs.
On board the flagship there were still signs OF
the recent storm. From the rails and dsvits
long slender icicles in regular lengths added a
touch Of beauty 10 the grim and bare lines of
the vessel Bustle and preparation were evident
every side. Officers in brilliant gold striped
uniforms. wearing gold trimmed chapeaus, hur-
Tied back and forth the deck giving sharp
orders which sent the jackies scurrying over the
decks. The interest and attention of all were
centred the in the lookout, who was