The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-09-15
MASKED BALL
ON DEATH SHIP
Event Took Place on Transport
Fitzpatrick From tho East.
3O2 DEAD men IN HOLD
Remarkable Example Of Bright Side as
Well as the Darkness ufa
Soldiers Life.
so2 DEAD men IN HoLo

New York. Sept 15.-Black-garbed men
and women. relatives OF the dead soldiers
who were brought from the Philippines
on the army transport Fitzpatrick. took
possession OF the ship Sunday as she lay
at the foot OF wall street
II was a day of mourning on shipboard,
In marked contrast with scenes which
took place Saturday when relatives OF
the soldiers who had survived the ordeals
OF war Joined In a joyous welcome 10 the
living.
Not until morning. when the work OF
unloading the coffins began, did the SOL
emn import OF the ships return be expe-
rienced 20 the fullest. Relatives then
presented credentials and claimed their
dead. II is believed that nearly half OF
the coffins will not be called for. The
unclaimed dead will be taken TO the Ar
Hngton National cemetery for interment.
The matches had not been removed
from the hold yesterday and no opportu-
nifty was had by visiting relatives TO
watch by the side OF their loved ones, IS
many hoped 10 do. Visitors gathered on
the decks and throughout the day the
None were more keenly alive 10 the
son1breness OF the voyage than the $50
odd soldiers OF the Fifth Infantry, who
were returning from the Philippines, but
with the soldiers philosophy that the
living must i've tho the dead be dead
the 72 days, voyage was not given to re-
pinins. While the 302 slept their last
sleep In the hold nearly as many living
made merry on deck.
NO MORE DUTCH DINNER"
The Fifth Infantry officers and men, |
the ships officers, and Is women among |
the passengers. agreed 10 dismiss sor
row the day the ship sailed for home. |
Preparations were Immediately begun Sor |
entertainment on shipboard. Each day |
the Fifth Infantry band gave an hours |
concert on deck
The first stop was made at Singapore
for coal. and while there the leaders OF
festivities went ashore and got provis-
ions for "A Dutch Dinner included in
the supplies were several kegs OF beer. |
was four days cut from Singapore. IL |
was a stag affair, the men wearing |
Dutch costumes so far as their ward
robe permitted. The dinner lasted until
I a. m. and IL is an open secret on board
that the women passengers. many OF
them officers wives. refused TO sanction
the giving OF another Dutch dinner
when the next port was reached.
Impromptu dances were enjoyed on |
many evenings at the hour OF the band |
concert. When the ship touched at CO. |
lombo. Alden. Malta and Gibraltar the |
British sodiery garrisoned at those |
places received the American soldiers
with hearty welcome. Gen. White, the |
hero OF Ladysmith, In command at Glib |
raltar. visited the Fitzpatrick. inspected |
the ship and gave a dinner TO the officers |
and their wives.
membered. Immediately after the ship |
sailed from Gibraltar plans were made
for a masked ball, a week ago last |
Thursday night. The stsrboard deck
and forward deck were scrubbed and
polished for dancing. The port deck
was covered with awnings under which
the tables were arranged.
WAS A BRILLIANT AFFAIR
When the ball started at p. m, a
scene was presented which surpassed the
fondest expectations OF the promoters Of
the ball One OF the ships officers said
II seemed incredible that so many beau
ttful costumes could be improvised with
the limited supplies to be had on ship
board. Shepherdesses. fairy queens and
ouakeresses romped with clowns, police
men and cowboys. At midnight the dan
GERS unmasked and gathered at the sup
per tables Steward Medley had pro-
vided feast which would have done
credit 10 a caterer on shore with every
thing at his command.
Several birthday parties were given. An
officer who has sailed several times on
che ship said yesterday that this voyage
was the most pleasant The crew were
entirely unaffected by any superstition
about the dead on board Passing
through the Indian ocean the southeast
monsoon was encountered. and the Kill
Fitzpatrick rode through waves 25 feet
high There was no alarm. for the trans
port r. one of the stanchest IN the SER
vice. The ship collected an unusual
amount OF sea grass. which retarded her
progress.