Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-06-13
RESTING 1T ANCHOR,


last 5atUraay = IRE aware of the fact
that Un2 ceysco5 MES were not such as
ordinarily attend events of the kind,
but the precise significance Of several
features of the unwilling was not I'M
derstood. The arrangements for the
unwilling were carried out, under the
direction of Col. Spencer Cosby, by
Frederick D. Owen Of the office OF
public building grounds, and Mr.. Owen
today described to reporter for The
Star the symbolism carried out IN the
actual ceremony of removing the
swathings from the memorial.
1.-The scheme was twofold in nature
Mr.. Owen said, representing in a way
the part which the two continents had
taken in the great event. The idea OF
the ship with two masts very readily
suggested the main feature OF the
plan. Therefore two sixty-foot poles
were erected, one to the east, one to
the west of the statue about 100 feet
apart.
Upon these was stretched steel
wire cable, with forward and after
stays, as if secured to bow and stern
of the ship. Upon the cable were car
ricd the colors which played so lmpor-
tant a part in the ceremony OF un-
yelling and later of decoration.
Two yard arms, each twenty-one
feet long, which were secured to the
wire by hooks and pulleys, carried the
largest regular American flags, when
when drawn together parallel to each
other and at right angles to this horl-
zontal wire, carried the flags so as to
encompass entirely the central shaft
and figures. The two marble hons
one on each side of the base and toun-
tain. were not covered with American
flags, but were yelled in white, like
wise the central figure OF Victory, OF
Spirit of Discovery" was also
shrouded in a pure White veil. Ten
sailors from the Washington navy
yard. under the immediate command
of Arthur Callaghan, chief gunners
mate were detailed by the Navy De-
partment to assist Mr.. Owen in carry
inr out the plan and directions as pre-
viously arranged and rehearsed, and
to these men is due great share Of
thc success of the plan.
CAS- the President arrived on the
stand the band played Hail to the
Chief and President Taft's flag was
raised over his box, with three othel
American ensigns, which had prev
ously been raised.
"Immediately two sailors, one or
each side, drew the wells off the two
lions Later in the order of the eXef-
ciscs and at the proper moment, when
the Italian ambassador had finished
his remarks he drew the cord which
surrounded the central shaft and Jig
ure of Columbus, the two large flags
we're drawn apart by the yardarm'
and ropes pulled by sailors stationed
in the rear stands, thereby revealing
for the first time the marble column
and the statue of the great discoverel
and bringing to view the two bIu'
fields of flags, with their galaxy o:
stars, directly behind the miniature
world at the top of the monument, 8
most Appropriate feature of the unveli-
ing.
when, at the same moment, the
cord was drawn two jackies dressed IN
white, stationed on the forward deck
of the marble ship at the foot OF the
statue, simultaneously raised inc
white veil which covered the figure
and after furling it laid it across the
saildcck so as to resemble the square
sail used by Columbus. The two
large flags we're drawn apart, one to
the east and the other to the west.
like covers of big book of history.
with the subject standing distinctly
before the many spectators.
"The flags we're carried on the over
head wire to the far ends of the tall
masks, where they floated out on the
breeze until the close of the ceremon-
les. and until the parade had passec
in review before the President. These
flags are twenty feet hoist by thirty
six feet fly.
cat this instant other sailors raised
aloft to the steel wire the Italian la!
in honor of the Italian am
bassador and the native country OF
Columbus, on the right side OF the
shaft near the great American flag
On the left the Spanish flag was
raised to the wire in honor of the
from which country he sailed.
Between the Italian flag and the
shaft four small signal flags were
hoisted, giving the date 1892, and