The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-12-20
BATTLE FLEET OFF.
Roosevelt Bids Farewell to the Mlgn-
ty Dogs Of War-Declares the
men are 'fBully.'

and burlE OIL Slrlu, D'tt
white in their immaculate dressings
of peace. sailed away from thelr an
cborage in Hampton, off the Virgin
ia coast. on Monday, under the daz-
zling sun Of a cloudless winter sky on
taeir famous twin sea expedition OF
$4,000 miles along foreign shores and
chi aneine climes to the west coast OF
the United States. President Roose-
~olt, on the bridge of his cruiser
Cit, the Mayflower personally led
the magnificent four miles Of fight.
inc vessels during the first stage OF
their Journey. From the anchorage
Ground in Hampton Roads to the
Horse Shoe Bend Of Chesapeake Bay
his eas}e crested flag Of blue point
ed the way to the navy's new home
81 the G>!5:n Gate. Ti 1 when the
u:ae .a.h-. Of tha 3v. N<:r' visible
t,:>nsb ..:,e wide swung capes OF
Virginia, hs 'lrned as aad, COM
inc to auchc".,,s, rev;e = me pas
ing pagea. !.
The bo,m Of sa ring eanno1
MAJ Asv the departure Of tn. fleet
prasen:,rg to tic people who watch-
ed a sneciacle they will neve: forget
and to the world at large the reality
Of the trimmsst, most thoroughly
equipped assemblage OF hrst-elass
battle ships ever gathered IN COM
mand.
There was not ship in the line
old enough to have smelled the pow
der Of Manila or Santiago-storles
written scarce ten years ago IN the
history Of nations. All were modern
of design and armament.
The thrill Of the beautiful marine
picture was felt until the last wind
blown spiral Of smoke was lost on
the horizon.
Arrival of the President.
The sailing Of the fleet was pre-
ceded by reception on the deck OF
the Mayflower, which shortly after 8
O'Clock steamed into the centre
Of the anchored fleet. The
president warmly greeted the four
admirals and the sixteen commanding
officers Of the fleet as they climbed
no the starboard gangway OF the
vacht. He had a word Of cont1-
dence and well-wishing for all, but
made no formal address.
The inspiring sight of the vessels
gaily dressed at anchor and waiting
the word to go put the president IN
rare good spirits. While the May
flower was coming into position and
waiting for the reception to begin
the president paced rapidly up and
down the decks, anxious to obtain a
view. of the great double squadron
from every possible vantage point.
"Did you ever see such fleet
. And such a day? Isn't it magnificent?
.Oughtn't we all to fell proud?'' ex-
claimed the president. In the midst
of the reception to the higher.oficers
hef sent for the co1swain OF the
Louisiana's launch and through aim
dispatched a special message OF
greeting to that ships crew. When
the surprised and embarrassed cox
swain, Seaman William Chandler,
had been presented to Mrs. Roose-
welt as we'll as to the president and
had again clambored into his launch
:. the president said TO those about
him:
~ tell you our enlisted men are
everything. They are perfectly bull
1y and they are up to everything re-
ouired of them. This is indeed a
great fleet and great day."
Reception on the Mayflower.
Admiral Evans, commander-ln-
chief OF the departing fl2et,- was the
first Of the flag officers to be piped
over the side Of the Mayflower. He
hurried to where the president stood
waiting and, bringing his right hand
to saluting position, paid his formal
respects AID gave his personal as
surance that the ships Of his COM
mand were ready for their trip to
the other side Of the hemisphere.
President Roosevelt acknowledged
tie salute with lifted hat anl accept
ed the formal words of greeting as
stiffly as they we're uttered. Then
with the brief ceremony ended, hs
grasped Admiral Evans hand and
gave it the heartiest of shakes. The
two coaversed together informally
for a moment or two until other ar