The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1907-09-19
Thousands of Guests
ThrOng Navy Wharf
Beneath the Brilliant
DGCOratiOns----Fare-
we'll to the Sailors
of the Fleet.

Like huge altar in the chancel of
the harbor, reared radiant against the
astral awning of the sky, four fiery
crosses formed by the electricity ilIu-
minated masts of twin ships-of-war,
with steam ascending in the flare of
searchlights and seeming, like incense
rising, to carry out and perfect the
idea, the cruisers West Virginia and
Pennsylvania last night drew the
thousand down from the city as if
calling them to attend some sacred
rite
and the streets were like aisles, and
the march to the waters edge was in
many ways as a grand procession
through great cathedral, onward to
the burning shrine, for the lights of
the monster cruisers were so bright
that those on foot had need to look
TO their steps. since it was often diff
ficult to observe objects nearby.
Everybody was clothed in his or her
finest, too. and this but added empha-
sis to the religious suggestion.
On the near approach the decorated
entrance to the Naval wharf, on either
side of which lay a. big fighting ma
chine at peace, the thought changed 1t
was no longer professional and
the altar effect was lost. Then the big
reception of the navy boys to their
Honolulu friends appeared as it really
was, a tremendous feast of jollity, a i
splendid array of gallantry.
Armed marines in spotless white SEN
tried the gateway and beyond, their
business-like outlines softened by cocoa
fronds and palms, wicked little field
guns faced each other. Here and there
We're stacks of arms and a bugle, red
tasseled, ornamenting the gathered
points. Above, for the entire length of
the wharf, were suspended large flags, |
the colors of all the nations of the |
world, pulsing in the cool air of the
evening, the lofted lights on the war
ships shining through and KALEIDOSCOPE
ing hundreds upon hundreds of faces
and garments moving merrily beneath. |
There We're thousands there. Thou
sands on the wharf and as many and
a. daI
alright and they circled and prone
naded down on the f1agship's side of
the wharf and up along the hidden
broadside of the Pennsylvania, hidden,
as was the West Virgfnia's starboard
side, because of the walls of tropic
foliage and flags that housed in the
broad expanse of level asphalt.
In the center of the improvised ball
room, in a bower of flowers and palms
and giant cocoanut fronds, sketched in
electric bulbs of red, white and blue,
were stationed the f1agship's musicians
alternately with a Hawai-
ian stringed band further down the
way.
Boys of the Navy in the regulation
uniforms which show to such advan-
tage the weH-drilled development of
Drawn and the grace which none SO
well as a sailor of war can acquire,
We're everywhere, making all feel most
delightfully."- at home and throughout
exhibiting a pleasurable anxiety for
the welfare of their many guests that
won for them the admiration of all
alike and coined memory of pleasant l
words and moments that will ever '
abide in aloha land. 7
There We're seats along either side ,
for the ladies and at the tapering
tip a fairy grotto had been
prepared with all a sailors sense of a
the artistic with things that grow /
ashore. An artificial pool f1oated wa r
terlilies and mirrored the varitoned
lights, sportive goldfish vying with the
fire tints There were hooks v
for earnest couples and cozy corners h
for those weary with walking. Re- r
freshment booths were most generous
" stationed and refreshing punch
without a headache, lemonade and ice n
cream and cake, dainty sandwiches [
soda and other delicacies, to eat and a
1rink, were served with both hands !,
Dy the bluejackets, marines and petty
,fficers.
CONTINUED on Page Three.)