The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-24
Was Scheduled to Reach There
on Christmas Day.
WAS BUT ONE MISHAP.
An Accident to the Steering
Gear of the Kentucky,
Man on the Alabama Died and
Was Buried at Sea.


patches from Port of Spain, Trinidad.
lantic fleet on its way to the Pacific
The fleet is said to have passed into
the Gulf of Para and anchored there
in four columns. five miles off the
town. According to the dispatches,
the only mishap on the trip from
Hampton Roads to Port of Spain was
a temporary arrangement of the Ken
tucky's steering gear. They also say
that the entire fleet stopped engines
for nine minutes Sunday and half
masted their flags while Ordinary Sea-
man G. E. Pipes, who died of menin-
gifts aboard the Alabama, was buried
The harbor of Port of Spain, while
we'll protected is shallow for a long
distance out from the beach and YES
sells of great draught like the battle
ships anchor a long way out. The
fleet will remain in the harbor for
several days and will coal there Sup>
plies will also be taken on board from
the supply ship Culgoa and the refrig-
orator ship Glacier.
Admiral Evans Reports.
Washington, Dec 24-Rear Admiral
partment the arrival of the battleship
fleet at Trinidad yesterday. The ad-
miraPs dispatch was very brief, simply
announcing the arrival at that place of
the first and second squadrons of the
fleet and the admiraPs tender, the
Yankton.. In the absence of any word
to the contrary the inference at the
navy department, according to the
naval code, is that all are we'll on board
the vessels of the fleet.
Hospitable Welcome.
Port of Spain. Trinidad. Dec. "a
Port of Spain is preparing to welcome
the American fleet of battleships with
hospitality and good fellowship. Day
light showed the warships anchored in,
four column formations about four
miles from the wharf. The people
crowded the water front to view the
imposing array of white ships of war,
entertainment committees completed
their final arrangements and the town
rapidly took on it's best holiday attire.
Mum berless launches, row boats, small
yachts and harbor craft of all sorts
began putting out at an early hour to
take sightseers over to the American
vessels. They clustered and cruised
about between the anchored warships,
glistening in the sunlight of a warm,
perfect day while the crowd voiced it's
admiration
Arrangements are being made to send
into town a large number of men who
have been given shore leave.
Rear Admiral Evans called on the
governor of Trinidad. Sir Henry Moore
GERS from the fleet are coming ashore
this afternoon. The warships are tax
ing coal from colliers. All on board the
vessels are we'll. The tender Yankton
arrived during the night, several hours
later than the fleet. She was unable
to keep up with the other vesseA
Admiral Evans, accompanied by the
members of his staff, landed at IL
O. o'clock. They we're received by a
guard of honor from the local militia.
by a band, the officers
proceeded to the government house,
the admiral riding in the governors
carriage.
MetcaIf Sends Christmas Greeting.
Washington, Dec. A.-Secretary Met
calf today sent the following to officers
and men of the Atlantic battleship fleet
and the torpedo destroyer f1otilla:
Evans, Port of Spain, Trinidad:
''The department extends to you Of
ficers and men under your command
the best wishes for a Merry Christmas.
''METCALF.''
This message will be read to the men
tomorrow aboard the various ships of
the fleet and fotilla or will be posted
in a conspicuous place where it may
be readily seen by them. Over $4,000
officers and men are now at Port of
Spain so that the secretary's
will be greeting to them all.
The message was sent by wireless tele-
praDh via San Juan.