New-York tribune., 1907-12-12
PACIFIC FLEET READY
NAVY F1REWELL L " UEEk.
Last VesseI Joins Waiting Udrsh'ps
IN Hampton Roads.

Old Point Comfort. Va. Dec 1.-THE last
vacant berth in the double line of Pacific bound
battleships was filed this afternoon when the
Minnesota flagship of Rear Admiral Thomas.
steamed into Hampton Roads and TOOK he'
place at the head of the outward column li'e
Minnesota is the ranking member OF the secoh"
SQUADRON of the. fleet and Admiral Thomas. who
commands this squadron, has duties ana re-
sponsibilitles second only to those OF Rear A"-
mira Evans, commander in chief Inc size anu
dignity of the feet that is to carry the nag
through the Magellan Strait and add such an
important new chapter to American naval ms
tory are hest emphasized by the fact that no
less than four rear admirals are In cofhmahu'
The battle at Santiago found a commodore anu
a captain temporarily assigned to flag rank as
the commanding officers OF the American Ioi-
Dewey sailed into Manila Bay commodore-
The Minnesota made lesurely voyage down
from the Brooklyn navy yard, during "ii'O
counasses were adjusted, chronometers' regu-
lated and various other matters OF marine III,
portance attended to- II was nearly o cIocN
this afternoon when. looking spick ana sp"A'
she slipped noiselessly by the guns oil OH nui' %
roe and LET go her anchors in the roadsteau' JuS'
opposite the Connecticut. Coal parges liiii'e"
ately were towed alongside. and the iuei pu'
on the trip from Sandy Hook was soon iePi
The last supplies OF food ana ann
were being placed aboard the ships to-da1 ai'
the roadstead was filled with craft OF every
description Each incoming steamer oI Noi''
merce from New York. Baltimore ana was"
ington brings freight for the fleet, ana the IN
rnense government pier is always a scene OF the
greatest activity. Local merchants also nav
their hands full in carrying out contracts Tor
supplies Most of the fresh VegetapleS anu
fruit have been put aboard since the vessels ar
rived here.
One of the most interesting items IN the ae-
cumuIating supplies is an evidence of the sweet
tooth of the sailorman. Great boxes Oh Iah'
and other candies were piled up on the dock to-
dav consigned to the various ships. IheS are
10 be placed in what the sailors now call tile
"denatured canteen." On one OF the supply
vessels 15 600 pounds OF high grade OF choco-
late bonbons have been stored. This Is TO nc
drawn upon in case the canteen candies on SNIP
board are exhausted before the cruise ends
That the ships are ready to set sail and that
all the more serious work of preparation has been
accomplished may be seen by the shore hoerty
piven the sailors each afternoon when footoali
games between teams from the various SHIPS
and sometimes with the artillerymen at the post
are played To-day the Kansas team Waliopeo
the Kentucky eleven, and the Vermont players
heat the Alabama after the liveliest sort Of
struggle Several hundred bluejackets from the
contesting ships were ashore. and, headed oy
their bands, marched from the dock TO the fort
The contests were surrounded by all the feat
ures of college games. The ships crews have
their individual flags and yells. and they go INTO
the sport with all the exuberance of undergrad
yates The sailors play the new game IN d
decidedly clever manner and are frequently
coached and advised by officers who made their
marks on Annapolis elevens.
a ball at the Chamberln tonight was one
of the first of the social features planned for
navy farewell week.