The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-10
Greatest Movement In Aneri- can Naval History Takes
 Place Next Monday
FOURTEEN EMPHASIZES
 ASSEMBLED IN FLEET
Rear Admiral Robey D. Evans Is Now In Command and Is Directing the Plans of Preparation for the
 Long Pacific Cruise.

Old Point Comfort, Va, December B. The double star red flag with blue em- blem of the commander In -chief of the Pacific-bound battleship was flung to the breeze on the main truck of the -battleship Connecticut today and Rear Admiral Robley D. Evans, formally as- sumed his position as leader of the greatest naval movement in the his- tory of America. This was assembly day for the fleet which is to set sail next Monday and of the sixteen great lighting machines ordered to skirt the southmost end of all America and in- augurate a new naval era in the Pa cific ocean there were but two lag gards.
 These were the 16,000-ton Minnesota. flagship of Rear Admiral c. M Thomas. commander of the second squadron of the fleet, and the Kentucky, whose pal try 1f,525 tons relegate her to a posi- tion at the end of the armored column. The Kentucky also is the oldest vessel among the sixteen, having been laid down with her sister. the Kearsarge. in 1898, at the beginning of the war with Spain
 Two More To Come. The Minnesota and Kentucky are both expected to drop anchor in Hamp- ton Roads tomorrow and then the his- toric fleet will be complete The new Maine. which two years ago was the flagship of the commander-in- chief, but Is now thrown back to eleventh place fin the list came in today, making II battleshps at anchor off here.
 The ships are disposed in two long lines forming crescent which begins just off the Old Point pier and points toward Norfolk.
 The Connecticut, which lies scarcely more than a stones throw from the pier, heads the column nearest the shore. Next to her is her sister ship, the Louisiana. the champion hard hit ting fast firing vessel of her class. and then in turn come the Kansas and the Vermont all registering 16,0O0 tons. These four vessels compose the first division of the first squadron of the fleet and are the personal charges of Rear Admiral Evans.
 The second division in the four squad- rons is made up of the Georgia, Virginia. New Jersey, and Rhode Island. The flag of Rear Admiral William II. Emery, in command of the division, floats from the Georgla's truck. It also bears two stars, but in distinction from that of the eom- mander-in-chief. the flag has a red field, the same being true of all three rear admirals who have command of the di- visions under Admiral Evans. The Geor- gia Virginia New Jersey. and Rhode lsl- and all type and have dsplace- ment of nearly 150O0 tons each. Their trial trips have all exceeded l9 knots. a speed attained by few of the heavily ar- mored vessels of the world.
 In Second Squadron.
 Both absentees from the fleet today were in the second squadron column. A vacant berth at the head of the line was left for the Minnesota. which is bound down the coast from the New Yorok navy yard. The Minnesota was the last of the big vessels to dock at New York, and was given AS hours grace under the or ders to report in Hampton Roads not later than today. Awaiting the Minnesota in the second squadron are the Maine, Ohio and the Missouri of the third division Of the fleet, and in the fourth division are the Alabama, flagship of Rear Admiral Sperry, the Illinois and tie Kearsarge.
 The Kentucky will complete this division and squadron when she arrives from Bos- ton.
 The two long lines of battleships. fanked on either side by vessels of the auxiliary fleet, present notable picture and add one more impressing naval event to the history of Virginias far-famed roadstead. where the battle of the Moni- tor and the Merrimac thrilled the world, and set q new standard for future navies to build by.
 Crowds of sghtseers from all parts of the country are assembled here to witness the final preparations and the departure of the fleet. The families of most of the officers are also among the visitors, and the week is to be crowded with social events of both formal and informal char acter. the principal function to be naval and military ball the evening of Friday, the 18th.
 Admiral Evans arrived this morning from Washington, accompanied by Cap tain Ingersol, his chief of stan, and Lieutenant Commander Chandler, his flag secretary.