Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-12-17
BIG FLEET BEGINS CRUISE
TO FAR WESTERN COAST


tion and Mrs. Brownson. Rear Ad-
miral and MIR. Cowlcs. and Lieuten-
ant Commander and Mrs. Sims.
The naval despatch boat Dolphin,
with n party OF Congressman on
board. also participated in the review.
The last good bycs had been said,
the last wishes of good luck haa
been uttered, suddenly the signal
yards on the Connecticut flashed the
message. "get under way Immediate
ly. following the motions of the flag
ship"
Orders followed from each bridge.
they were conveyed by warning bells
to engine rooms, through the musical
notes OF half score OF bugles. Dress
Ing lines were hauled in and rs they
tumbled to the deck the ships were
robbed of their gala attire.
With the departure OF the fleet Of
iicers, the Maynower proceeded to
get under way almost Immediately
so rs TO take her place at the head
of the formidable column and lead
the way TO the reviewing waters of
Thimble Shoal lighthouse, ten miles
out in Chesapeake Bay. AS the May
flower retreated down the warshps'
lanes. each vessel rs she passed
manned the rail with bluejackets. all
of whom stood at attention.
The Connecticut, head OF the col
umn. and the other ships of the first
division. the Kansas, the Vermont
and the Louisiana, were the first to
get their anchors up.
One by one each armor clad hoisted
their position pennants to the fore
peak. showing that they were ready
TO get under way, the flagships OF
each division subordinate to the first
did not hoist their pennants until
the last anchor chains of the imme-
date command were slowed When
at last all sixteen ships were in po-
sition. in single column and distance
400 yards apart. the engine room in
dicators far down in the depths of the
steel protected decks. showed half
speed ahead.
Reviewed by the President
The Presidents yacht was we'll
down the bay when the battleship
column began 10 move. Heaving 10
near the tail OF the Horseshoe. the
Mayflower again dropped anchor and
stood by to review the Pacific
bound parade. There was little time
to walt before the wide girthed hull
of the Connecticut. glimmering white,
showed off the quarter rail with Ad-
miral Evans on the afterbridge high
above the main deck. with the union
jack at the stem and spotless new
American flag fluttering from the aft
, truck. the Connecticut presented n
picture that fairly thrilled those who
saw her.
The President lifted his hat and the
spontaneous cheering was quickly
taken up. The Presidents position on
the Mayflower gave him an uninter-
rupted view. Abreast the presidential
yacht the Connecticut began her Sc
ries of salutes. Following in the
wake of the Connecticut ana saluting
in their turn, with bands playing,
drums ruffling and guns booming, the
Vermont, the Kansas and the Louisl-
ana steamed by the Mayflower. The
| four ships are as nearly alike rs the
naval Architects and builders could
make them. They constituted the
first division, squadron of the fleet.
Four hundred yards astern of the
Louisiana came the Georgia, flying
/ the flag of Rear Admiral w. II. Emery
and leading the four ships of the sec
ond division. first squadron. The de-
tails of salute with the passing of the
second division were the same as
those set by the Connecticut and fol-
lowed by all the other ships as they
came. After the Georgia came the
New Jersey. the Rhode Island and
the Virginia.
! The passing of the Virginia COM
pleted the first squadron under the
command of Rear Admiral Evans.
Next came came the flag ship of the
second squadron. divided into the
third and fourth divisions of the feet
of four ships each. The big Mime.
sofa. with Rear Admiral Thomas on
+, the bridge. lei the squadron. Follow
ing her came the Ohio, the Missouri
and the Maine.
/ The fourth class of battleships look
Ing backward in naval history was
found today in the Alabama and the
Illinois, the lsading ships in the fourth
DIVISION second squadron Rear Adj
miral Sperrys flag flew at the main
truck of the Alabama.
The fifth and last class of ships rep
resented in the parade of the Pacific
bound fleet We're the kersarge and
the Kentucky, The latter bringing up
the rear of the line.
| When the report of saluting can
non on the Kentucky had died away
across the raters, the Connecticut, at
the head Of the column four miles
away had almost reached the capes
and the history making journey had
begun In earndst.
Preparations Began Eanly.
The waiting fleet began early to