The semi-weekly messenger., 1907-12-20

viewed lt-SaiIing of Eleen Preced-
ed by Reception of Quarter Deck of
MayfioWer-Presiden Had Word of
Confidence for all B3t Made No
formal Address.
Old Point Comfort, Va, December
I6.-SiXteen hard-hitting steel-belted
american battleships, gun bristlins
and burly of girtb, but sparkling white
IN their immaculate dressings of peace
sailed away today under the dazzling
sun OF clOudiess winter sky On their
famous tWin-sea expedition Of 14,OO0
miles along foreign shores and chang
ing climes to the west coast of the
United States. PRESIDENT Roosevelt on
the bridge of his cruiser-yacht, the
Mayf1ower, personally led the magnifi-
cent fOur-mile line of fighting, vessels
during the first stage of their Journey.
From the anchorage ground in Hamp-
ton Roads to the horse shoe. bend of
Chesapeake Bay his eagle-creSted flag
Of blue pointed the way to the navys
new home at the Golden Gate. Then,
when the wide reaches of the sea were
visible through the wide swung capes
of Virginia he turned aside and COM
ing to anchorage reviewed the pass
ing pageant. The boom OF saluting
cannon marked the departure of the
f1eet-presenting to the people who
watched a spectacle they will never
forget and to the WOrld-at-large the
reality of the trinmest, most thor
oughly equipped assemDlage of first
class battleships ever gathered in one
command.
There was not a ship in line old
enough to- have smelled the powder Of
Manila Or Santiago-stories written
scarce ten years ago in the history Of
nations. All were modern Of design
and armament.
The thrill of the beautifully made
picture was felt until the last wind
blown spiral of smoke was lost on the
horizon.
The sailing of the fleet was pre-
Ceded by a reception on the quarter
deck of the Mayfower which shortly
after 8 o'clock this morning steamed
into the centre of the anchored fleet.
1(SOSCNC-C " al my SISCICt1
the four rear-admirals and the sixteen
commanding officers Of the fleet as
they climbed up the starbOard gang
way of the yacht. He had 4 word of
confidence and we'll wishing for all,
but made no formal address.
! The inspiring sight of the vessels
gaily dressed at anchor and waiting
hn to 20 1lrpSi6pT+ in
rare good spirits. While the May
flower was coming into position and
waiting for the reception to begin the
president paced rapidly uD and down
the decks. anxious to obtain view Of
the great dOuble-squadrOn from everv
possible vantage point
! Did you ever see such a fleet? and
such a day? Isn't it magnificent?
Oughtn't we all to feel proud? Cox
claimed the president In the midst
of the reception to the higher officers
he sent for the coxswain of the Louis
oan's launch and through him dis
patched a special message Of greeting
to that ships crew. When the SUI
prised and embarrassed coxswair
Seaman William Chandler, had been
presented to Mrs. Roosevelt as well as
to the president and had again c1amb-
cred into his launch, the president said
to those about him: "T tell you our
enlisted men are everything. They
are perfectly bully and they are up to
everything required of them This is.
indeed, a great feet and a great day"
Admiral Evans, commander-in-chiet
of the departing fleet, was the first Of
| the flag officers to be piped over the