The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-09
Acting Mayor McAneny Ex-
tends Formal Welcome
to Admiral Fletcher.
RIVER CROWDS SHOW
LUSITANIA GRIEF

New York made "A grim holiday Of the
arrival OF the Atlantic feet yesterday
The hundreds OF thousands who went to
look at the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES and other
nghtng ships made their way to River
side Drive with the newsboys thrusting
in their faces newspaper extras typed
big with the Lusitania's loss OF life. and
the disaster was with the crowds In
mind and word
With the 10000 sailors who came to
port with the fleet it was different They
roamed down the streets OF the city las,
night too deep In their merrymak!ng to
give much serious thought to the Lusi-
tanias sinking.
From . in the morning, when the
battleshlp Louisiana came out OF the
fog over the bay TO lead the squadron
up the Hudson. until an hour before
midnight last night. when the illumna-
ton of the feet was Snuffed out. crowds
paraded the great river plaisance afoot
on buses or a-motorng; and all after
noon visitors poured over the sides OF
the ships.
OHHciaI welcome Extended.
OF course the official welcome for the
half hundred sea lighters OF the United
States navy came at II in the morning,
when acting Mayor McAneny went TO
greet Admiral +. +. Fletcher aboard the
Wyoming, the last OF the bdttleship
squadron to steam up the river. Adj
miral Fletcher's vessel came last in the
procession because II was to stop of
Eighty street to he the southern
cCd OF The far flung line
Cornelius Vanderbilt did not accom-
pany Mr. McAneny on the formal call
on the Admiral, although he had in
tended 10 do 50, as he is the chairman
Of the Mayors committee which planned
the fleets entertainment. MIR. McAneny,
with Dock Commissioner X. \. c. Smith
and Theodore Rousseau, secretary to
the Mayor. called at Mr.. Nanderbil;'s
home 10 inquire II he had received any
news OF his brother, Alfred Gwynne
Vanderbilt reported lost in the sinking
/ Of the Lusitania.
Then the acting Mayor and his two
companions paid their visit to Admiral
Fletcher. At 2 O'Clock in the afternoon
the Admiral returned the call. accom-
panied to the city Hall by Secretary
Rousseau and two troops OF mounted
police. Mr.. McAneny. after abiding 20
I Co, nelius Vanderbilt's absc nee welcomed
! Admiral Fletcher and said that "the
/ cry is tense In its enthusiasm over your
visit
.First Upon the Water"
Admiral Fletcher thanked Mr.. Me-
I Aneny for the city's welcome and said
II accept these courtesies as an appre-
citation of the interest the people are
1 taking In the American navy and OF
! their realization that the defence of our
country lies first upon the water rather
than upon land and | think the people
OF this country are beginning 10 realize
I that situation"
With Admiral Fletcher were Can't. II,
/ Mel. i. Huse, chief of stan of the feet
Lieut. -Col. h. II. Fuller of the marines,
! Lieutenant-Comma John Halligan
| Naval Constructor f.. 5. Land and Lieut..
+. j. Fletcher. Flag Lieutenant. There
were many city officials, including Dor
ough Presidents Marks. Pounds and
Mathewson.
| when the multitudinous electric lights
strung over the ships blazed into being
| at s o'clock last evening they made he
vessels TO appear as so many cardhoar d
ships. The lights following the OUTLINES
OF the deck rail, water line. military
mast lighting top, funnel and conni1 ne
tower, were -pinholes pricked In these
| ga ri boa I'd ships held In front Of a
strong Ianp I'd, ..
The problem OF what ship to visit dur
! ing the day bothered many, many folk
! Suppose one had selected the Michigan
the oldest dreadnought I'm the navy,
what would have happened? Well--in
,ho A., Ma 20 one knew that the Mich.
| gan had lust arrived here after going
| ,hro,,gh Nth some fine target practice
narbans The hest so the reports go
~,tmrsI,y one would like 10 see this
,,,,n u.ho has brought about such good
sh'.,,ing for AFTER ali firing the guns
h.,,,auhin accurateIv 10 n hattie.