The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1903-08-18
NORTH ATLANTIC SQUADRON AS.
SEMBLE9 OFF OYSTER BAY
FOR INSPECTION.
SAILS THROUGH LINES OF sARSHiPS
PRESIDENT CIRCLES FILE AMID
ROAR OF GUNS AND Ch .ERS
OF THE SAILORS.

Oyster Bay, L. l., Aug. 18.-Twenty.
one warships drawn up In four parallel
columns a mile long and including
some OF the best fighting ships Of the
United States navy, resting upon the
CLASSY surface of Long Island sound,
composed the picture which lay spread
out before President Roosevelt when
he stepped out upon the veranda of his
home at Sycamore Hill early in the day
Their brasswork shining under the
slanting rays of the morning sun gave
evidence that every ship was spick
and span for this. the first naval re-
view at the nations summer capital
and probably the first ever held for the
exclusive purpose of presidential hon
OrS.
Commanded by Rear Admiral Barker
and three other officers of similar rank
the fleet. comprising two squadrons
each OF two divisions, besides hotilla
OF torpedo boat destroyers, included a
representative of nearly every type Of
fighting craft from the ponderous ILL
nois to the lean destroyers. Two
parallel columns of battleships and
cruisers. headed by the Kearsarge,
Rear Admiral Barker's flagship, flank
ed by files Of destroyers composing the
North Atlantic squadron, covered the
placid sound for two miles off shore,
from picturesque Lloyds Neck and
blockading the mouth of Oyster bay
presented splendid marine spectacle.
abundantly suggestive of Americas
sea power.
Clustered In the mouth of the bay
rested the presidents yacht May
flower, Secretary Moody's official craft,
the Dolphin, and Sir Thomas Lipton's
beautiful steam yacht Erin, surround
ed by q graceful fleet OF steam and
sailing yachts gathered to witness the
imposing ceremony when the president
and the feet officially exchanged
greetings.
President Boards the Mayfower.
Fairer weather for the review could
dent boarded the Mayfiowers launch
the big white shapes of the war YES
sells, between the double lines of gray
destroyers. loomed out OF a thin haze
that hung over the sound Hardly a
ripple wrinkled the surface of the
water
The Maydower lay in the mouth of
Oyster Bay. Near by was the Dolphin,
with Secretary Moody. Admiral Dewey
and the rear admirals on board AS
the president stepped on the deck OF
the Mayfiower her guns spoke the first
salute of the morning. Leaving her
anchorage the Dolphin passed the May
flower, saluting as she went by. Then
the MayfOwGr steamed down the bay,
followed by the presidents yacht
Sylph, having guests OF the president
on board. Slowly the presidents flag |
ship moved out into the sound where |
the battleships and cruisers lay In |
two parallel lines, lengthwise of the |
sound, with a column of destroyers |
fanking each line of larger ships.
Surrounding them was flotilla of |
steam craft Of all descriptions. num- |
bering 100 vessels, and including great |
steam yachts. string of signals fut
tered in the rigging of the Dolphin, an |
answering string hung Imply from the
kearsarge's yard and many flags wig |
wagged from ship to ship OF the big |
feet.
With the presidents flag flying from
her main mast the Mayfiower steamed |
slowly off to the east end of the right
column, made a sweeping curve and
moved down through the lane between |
the first column of battleships anu
cruisers and the first column Of de-
strOyers.
Sailors Cheer the President.
A twelve-pound gun in the Kear-
sarge's second battery spurted
q little fash OF fame and smoke and
the succession of presidential salutes
began. While the smoke was drifting
from the Kearsarge's guns her band
struck up Columbia" and her sailors
gave the president ringing cheer as
the Mayfower moved by. AT a speed
Of three miles an hour the presidents
flagship proceeded down the lane and,
rs she approached. the guns OF each OF
the ships in turn spoke In salute, their
bands and the cheers of the sailors
Joining in the tribute. The guns OF
the destr0yers were silent.
From the bridge of the Mayfowel
President Roosevelt, surrounded by q
group OF admirals and guests, acknowl-
edged the salutes. At the end OF the
lane the Mayfiower turned and passed
down the line between the second col
umn OF cruisers and second line OF de-
stroyers One after another the guns
pE the Delrh!c. Paather. prairie, Yam
kee, Topeka and Olympia saluted until,
having encircled the feet and COM
pleted the FIRST part of the review, the
stopped at the head OF the
two columns between the Kearsarge
and the Olympia Launches put on
from the warships and scurried over
to the Mayfiower. conveying the com
manders and flag officers to pay their
TO the president
This formality completed the presi-
dent boarded the Mayfiower's launch
md was conveyed to the Kearsarge to
return the official call Twenty-one
guns from her secondary battery
spoke an official welcome and an equal
number ct parting. In turn he visited
zach OF the battleshiSs and cruisers.