The Republican journal., 1920-07-08
Belfast Celebrates Her 15Oth
Anniversary

ALSO THE STATE CENTENNIAL AND
INDEPENDENCE DAY. U. S. S.
FLORIDA HERE.
For the past week a large committee
with H. c. Buzzell, chairman, had been
making extensive preparations for the
city's celebration Monday, July 5th. Two
companies had been at work several days
decorating the public buildings, business
houses and private residences, FLAGS ga
lore of all sizes and designs were floating
in every direction, giving the city very
gala appearance. The only discord in the
entire arrangement was the series of
showers beginning Saturday afternoon
and continuing until the hour announced
for the parade, 10 a. m. Monday. 1t was
impossible to prepare floral floats or deco
rate autos for the business firms, stores.
etc. Supt. Roderick, Principal Foster
and several of the teachers worked in a
sharp shower Monday morning ON school
common to decorate the floats with bunt-
ing and arrange the school children in
costume for the principal scenes of the
school historical pageant. The result of
their energy was most commendable and
the floats very picturesque.
The U. S. S. Florida, P M. Olmsted,
captain, NJ. X. Metcalf and L. D. Causey,
commanders, arrived at 8. Is p. m. Satur-
day and remained at anchor off The Bat
terry shore until 5 a. m. Tuesday. The
committee consisting of James H. Howes,
B. L. Davis. W. L. West, M. L. Slugg, R.
r. Rogers, Alfred johnson and H. c. Buzz
zell, paid formal visit to the Florida and
welcomed her officers and crew to the
city. Mayor Wescott was absent on bust
ness. Thu officers were given auto rides
about the city and vicinity, were enter
tanned at lobster dinner Monday at the
Windsor Hotel and were guests at the
Fair grounds for the Grafton of the day
the races and the sports. Sunday the
Florida's band under the direction of
Bandmaster Lewis gave an excellent
concert in the Armory, being driven from
the Post Office square by the rain. Crowds
of people visited the ship during Sunday
and Monday.
THE U. S. S. FLORIDA.
The Florida was two and one-half years
building, was placed in commission in
1911 and cost over $4,000, ,000 She is
$40 feet long, % 1-2 feet draft and her
displacement is 21,825 tons, She carries
ten 12-inch turret, twelve 5-inch secon-
dairy and two 3-inch anti-aircraft guns;
with two submerged torpedo tubes. She
has 63 officers and 1921 men. Her bun
kers hold 2560 tons of coal and her speed
rating is 22.08 knots. Her engines devel-
op AZ, 600 horse power. Her crew has all
the advantages offered in any High school
course.
THE PARADE.
The parade formed at 10 a. M Monday
on Court street opposite school common,
the concert on Post Office square being
given up on account of a shower. The
line was led by Belfast police and two
marshals, followed by the Florida's band
and about 400 of her men, including the
marines many of whom wore their over
seas medals. Her officers were in private
autos. The Belfast Band, Murch Drum
Major, preceded Mayor Wescott with
members of the city government, the
school pageant floats, accompanied by
the superintendent, school committee and
teachers, members of Thomas H. Mar
shall Post, G. A. R., and its allied bodies,
Recruiting Army squad from Portland,
under the direction of Private Eugene
Smith with display of German war relics.
private citizens in decorated autoes, the
Fire Department. There were also num-
ber of clowns. The line of march was
out Court to Franklin, down Franklin to
Church, over Church to the junction of
High, down High to junction of Church,
up Church to Memorial Hall, where it
disbanded. The presence of the Florida's s
officers and crew was most impressive,
particularly the marines; as the defend
ers of our country, since the world war,
are held in veneration.
THE SPORTS, ETC.
Immediately after the parade the Fire
Department gave an excellent demon
stration on Church street under the di-
rection of Chief S. S. L. Shute.
The sports were under the direction of
Harry A. Foster and began with a fine
game of base ball on the Congress street