Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-10
BIG FLEET AT ANCHOR
ANIMATED SCENE IN HAMP-
TON ROADS.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NORFOLK, Va. December 1O.-The
roll of the Pacific fleet under Rear Ad-
miral Robley D. Evans will be completed
today with the arrival of the Kentucky
and the Minnesota, making sixteen battle
ships in the two long lines anchored In
Hampton roads. Admiral Evans who ar
rived yesterday and boarded his flagship,
the Connecticut, has taken personal COM
mand in the direction of the work of get
ting the fleet ready to sail December IL.
The area where the fleet swings at an
Choir is an animated one this morning.
Red flags on several of the ships show
that the work of filling the magazines Is
still going on, while dozens of black
barges loaded with coal are discharging
their burden into the bunkers. The
launches of all the ships are busy carry
ing the officers and their friends back
and forth between Fortress Monroe and
the fleet. The hotel here is crowded with
relatives and personal friends of the Off
GERS who will remain until the fleet
weighs anchor next Monday.
Many electricians are engaged in the
work of installing the new wireless tele-
phones, with which all the vessels, includ-
ing the torpedo boats and destroyers, will
be equipped. DR.. Deforest is personally
experimenting the work, and it is said
that the telephones will make communica-
ton easy between the vessels for dis
lance Of twelve miles or more.
Test Of Coal Briquettes.
On the flagship Connecticut test of the
steaming qualities of the new coal bril-
quotes has just been made with salts
factory results, and several of the battle
ships will carry supply of this fuel, for
further tests will be made under various
conditions. The fuel is composed of 90
per cent coal and Z per cent tar and
was made at the government plant at the
jamestown exposition. It is said that the
use of ton of briduette fuel develops
about 10 per cent more power than the
same quantity Of coal.
The battleships as disposed form a deep
crescent. which extends from the Old
Point pier and stretches its curve along
the shore line toward Norfolk. The Con-
necticut lies within easy speaking dis
lance Of the pier, and Is nearest shore.
The Louisiana, champion of the targets, is
Vermont. These four battleships, the best
which the United States Navy has to
xhow, constitute the first division of the
first squadron Of the fleet, and are re-
garded as the bodyguard of the admiral.
The second division Of the first squad
ron. including the Georgia, Virginia. New
Jersey and Rhode Island, is in command
Of Rear Admiral William H. Emory.
whose two-star red flag floats from the
truck of the Georgia
The second squadron lies in a parallel
line half mile out to sea, with a place
reserved for the Minnesota at the head,
the same position occupied by the Con-
necticut Of the first squadron. The Ken
tucky's berth Is just behind the Alabama,
flagship of Rear Admiral Sperry.
Social Events Of Week.
The week here will be crowded with So
cial events of varied character, includ-
ing a reception and exhibition of the
marines on Wednesday, and a naval and
military ball on Friday.
The weather on the coast today is not
favorable. but the Minnesota and Ken
lucky are expected to pass in the Vir-
ginia capes for the Hampton roads rem
devious by o'clock this afternoon. At
Cape Henry today a heavy rain fell for
several hours. and a thick fog cut off the
view of those who are watching for the
incoming ships. Should the element pre-
vent the sighting of the Minnesota and
Kentucky when they pass Cape Henry
this afternoon. their arrival will be re-
ported by wireless
The bad weather of today made the
coalng in Hampton roads of the battle
ships Illinois. Virginia and Rhode Island
somewhat difficult, and neither were con-
ditions suspicious for the carrying of
other supplemental navigation, magazine
and provision stores from this navy yard
to the ships, as they lay at anchor of
Old Point Comfort