The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-09-04
WARSHIPS
 IN REVIEW Roosevelt Inspects Mag nificent Fleet.
HILARIOUS IN THE HIGH WIND
President Pays no Heed to the
 Stinging Salt Spray.
Forty-ave of the worlds Most spIen- did Fighting Vessels Fire sa- Iute in Honor of the Cons-
 mander-in-Chief.

Oyster Bay. Sept. s.--Under skies thai broke brilliantly blue. before whist ling westerly gale which swept down Long Island Sound and blew out to sea, the sullen clouds and tempestuous rain which this morning threatened to mar immeasureably the spectacle, President Roosevelt today, within mailing dist ance of his summer nome, reviewed the most magnificent naval fleet ever assembled under the American flag. Forty five of the most splendid types of fighting vessels afioat lay at anchor in three long columns as the naval yacht Mayflower. on which just a year ago was written into history as the meeting ground of the peace plenipo- tantiaries Of Russia and Japan, passed up and down the lines the President an applauding spectator on the bridge. The Maynower's journey was made amid continuous boom of cannon and gun after gun spoke the navy's honor to the commander-in-oh chief of all Amer ica's military forces
 President Roosevelt had as his guests on board the Mayflower the Secretary of the Navy. and several other Govern ment officials, members Of the Senate and House Committee on Naval Affairs and the naval attaches of eight of the powers of the world.
 One-third oR the Navy.
 There was something Of an object lesson of this gathering of 6 represent ative array of the American navy, about one-third Of the lighting forces being in the review.
 When the parade of the Mayffower was over and rhe President had looked with critical eye at each of the flag dressed vessels. his yacht came to ara- ehor and he received on board the con- manding officers of the fleet. Then followed gala luncheon at which the officers. the Government officials. tha attaches. Senators and congressmen were guests together with a number of the personal friends of the presi- dent.
 Thanking the war vessels which aiis- tened in purest white under the direct rays Of the sun and against the low lying back ground of the sound and storm black clouds along the norIaon. was the greatest fleet of private yachts, small boats and pleasure craft probably that has ever been drawn to- gether in such a small compass. Each of these was decorated with signal flags from stem and stern and added materially in the painting of a marine spectacle unparalleled in the history of the American people.
 This was the stirring scene which greeted the President as the Mayfiower steamed out from Oyster Bay shortly h- minutes past that hour when the re- viewing yacht came within range of the flagship Maine which stood at the mead Of the centre column of the fleet. There came a flash of flame and a pun of gray smoke from the starboard sa- luting cannon of the flagship. which was the signal for the other vessels to join in a unanimous salute of twenty one guns.
 In and Out the Lanes.
 It required twenty minutes for the Mayhower to run down the first lape. Then she put about on the outer side of the westerly column of the ships. Reaching the head of the column again. the Mayfower turned once more to the west and took a tour outside the tor pedo boat line coming eastward to the Maines position once more and then cast anchor
 After luncheon the President visited several ships of the fleet When he re- turned again to the Mayfower the re- view was practically at an end. al- though MT. Roosevelt and most of his guests remained on board to witness the Illumination of the fleet When tho President paid his visits to the various vessels the wind was bowling down the sound in way to set the riggings of all the vessels in the wonderful as- semblage to singing a warning song of the deep.
 The Mayflower's launch with her dis- tinguished passenger plunged through waves which were as high as any the boatmen of Oyster Bay and Cold Springs Harbor have known for many days The heavy sea that was run ming had sent all small boats hurry Ing peli-me for the shelter of the cove, where they formed an appar- ently unhroken barrier across the har- bor entrance, completely blocking any possible retreat for the larger and stauncher craft which were braving wind and waves to keep in touch with every move and picture of the review
 Salt water from the breaking waves was blown stinelngly into the Presi- dents luunch. but he was hilarious and enjoyed the experience to the fullest Despite the gale and the sea and the close quarters in which the pleasure boats manouvered. not serious aect- dent was reported during the morning. There were many collisions and bump ing matches between the small boats in the harbor. but no serious damage was done.