The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-12-10
EVANS FLAG RAISED ;.
over PACIFIC FLEET

Old Point Comfort. Va. Dec. 1o-The
Pacific neet-the greatest naval concen-
tration in the history of the United
States-became a unit yesterday when the
double-starred blue flag, the emblem of
Rear Admiral Robley, ID. Evans, the
commander-in-chief OF the fleet, was run
up to tho main truck of the battleship
Connecticut.
The admiral arrived from Washington
accompanied by Mrs. Evans, and lost no
time in Joining his ship. He was received
Oh the quarterback by Capt. Osterhaus,
the commander of tho ship, and STAFF. AS
he stepped aboard his flag was sent aloft,
and then, whilo the bands played, the
guns thundered.
This was assembly day for the sea
force which is 10 set sail next Monday,
and of the i6 great fghting machines or
dered TO skirt the southern end of the
Americas and to begin n new naval era
in the Pacific ocean there were but two
laggards.
These were the 160o0-ton Minnesota,
flagship of Rear Admiral G. NJ. Thomas,
commander OF the second squadron of the
fleet, and the Kentucky, whose 1l,525 tons
relegste her to the end OF the column
The Kentucky is also the oldest vessel
her sister warship, the Kearsarge I'm 1898,
at the beginning OF the war with Spain.
Nine years ago is remote in modern bat
tleship construction, so great have been
the strides in American naval architec-
ture
The new Maine, which two short years
ago was the flagship of the commander
in-chief. is now in l1th place in the list.
The ships are disposed in two long lines
leading in a 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 shore. Next to
her is her sister ship, the Louisiana, the
champion fast-frng vessel of her class;
and then i'm turn come the Kansas and
the Vermont. all registering 1900 tons
and beted with steel that is rated well
nigh impregnable.
These four vessels compose the first di-
vision of the first squadron OF the fleet
and are I'm the personal charge of Rear
Admiral Evans.
The second division i'm the first squad
ron is made up Of the Virginia, New Jer-
sey and Rhode Island. The flag OF Rear
Admiral William IL. Emory, In command
of the division. floats from the Georgia's
truck. 1t also bears two stars, but I'm dis
tinetion from that of the commander-in-
chief il has a red field. II is the flag OF
all three rear admirals who have COM
mand of the divisions under Admiral
Evans.
The Georgia, Virginia. New Jersey and
Rhode Island are all of a type, have
displacement OF nearly 1900 tons each
and combined have the tremendous driy
ing force of 1900 horsepower They have
all exceeded l9-knots, speed attained
by few of the heavily armored vessels OF
the world.
Both absentees from the fleet were Ia
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 York navy yard. The
Minnesota was the last OF the big YES
sells TO dock at New York and was given
~ hours grace under the orders To report
In Hampton Roads not later than today.
Awaiting the Minnesota I'm the second
squadron are the Maine, Ohio and the
Missouri OF the third division OF the feet
and I'm the fourth division are the Ala
bama. flagship OF Rear Admiral Spcrry
the Illinois and the Kearsarge. The Ken
lucky Will complete this division and
squadron when she arrives from Boston
Like the Minnesota. the Kentucky was
repaired at the Norfolk navy yard, but
was sent away 10 be docked and painted
below the water line
The two long lines of battleships. flank
ed on either side by vessels OF the auxil-
iary fleet, presented a notable picture
and add one more Impressive naval event
TO the history OF Virginia's far-famed
roadstead. where the battle OF the Moni-
tor and the Merrimac thrilled the world
and set a new standard for future navies
to build by.
Crowds OF sightscers from al parts OF
the country are assembled here TO Wit
ness she final preparations and he de-
parture OF the feet The families OF most
Of the officers are also among the visitors
and the week is 10 be crowded with social