New-York tribune., 1909-03-24
FORT FIRES SALUTE.
As the Hamburg Reaches Hamilton
Guns Roar GOOdby.

A persistent throng crushed against four police
men who guarded the entrance to Room Of the
Roosevelt suite The space was only about 10
by 20 feet, and Notwithstanding the fact that the
line Of well-wishers and the curious made
up at the rear entrance 10 the suite, the crowd
in front of the forcward door kept its place for
fully an hour.
Colonel Roosevelt had been shaking hands in
the imperial suite for a long time. when it was
announced that the delegation of friends from
Pittsburg waiting the pier. After greet
ing the Italian delegation, Mr.. Roosevelt hurried
to the forward gangway. following his son Kermit,
who was carried high above the crowd on the
shoulders of the leaders
Then, walking up the ganguay until he could be
seen by all Mr. Roosevelt took off his black felt
hat and waved for silence When the roar Of the
crowd diminished to a dir. Colonel Roosevelt said:
Il want to thank the delegation from Pittsburg
for its kindness r travelling such a great distance
sail I wish also to thank you ALL my
good friends and fellow citizens for your kindness
in coming here to-day. Good luck TO you all and
goodby
The ex-President tarried long enough take
large Thermos bottle. which. in a leather case,
was passed over the heads Of the crowd TO his
hand 1t gift from the Pittsburg delega-
ton, Miss Ida Vera Smonton. of the Pittsburg
delegation who had spent eighteen months in
Africa. gave the ex-President a bunch OF orchids
Emil L Boas. general manager Of the Hamburg
American Line. and Douglas Robinson the ex-
Presidents hrother-n-aw, were the last persons to
leave the Roosevelt suite when the fifth order for
"An ashore" was sounded. This about 1850
a. n. The army cutter Colonel Wykon steamed
ngside, with General Leonard Wood and Colonel
H O. s. Heistand and staff board They had
barely time 60 n the Roosevelt suite and say
goodby the ex- President when the big black and
gold stern of the Hamburg moved rapidly out into
the North River. As she backed out there was loud
cheering from the crowds the pier. the tugs. the
Hamburg herself and adjacent steamers tied up
at the Hamburg-Amertcan and North German
Lloyd piers.
The cheering increased in intensity when the
bridge Of the backing Hamburg came into view
An exception had been made in the rules of the
line in the case Of the ex-President He and his
son, Kermit. occupied the corner the port side
pilot and officers are allowed the bridge AS
the liner swung Mrs. Douglas Robinson. Colonel
Roosevelt's sister looked up from the strtngpiece
al the two small igures in khaki on the big bridge
of the Hamburg.
The tug John Nichols, with Mr. and Mrs. Robin
son on board, took the place Of honor, steamins
abeau the Hamburg's bridge, and the ex-President
divided his waving between his relatives and
friends on the other tugs that were heading down
the bay. The moment ne took his place on the
bridge he began waving his hat, and he kept W
This form Of saIutation almost constantly until
the liner increased full speed and left the ho-
tilla behind.
When the Hamburg came abeam OF Fort Harnh-
ton great puffs OF smoke came from small bat
terry and the faint report of twenty-one guns
salute for the departing ex-Presdent, were counted
Several companies Of artillery stood at attention
and band played as the Hamburg passed through
the Narrows.