The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-12-16
EvANS' GREAT
FLEET is OFF

The cr,rise has involved tho purchase
OF nearly quarter OF million tons OF
coal and the charterlng OF fleet or
colliers that is more numerous than
the fleet of battleships. The cost OF the
fuel alone will reach an enormous figure.
One estimate places the cost of coal de-
lvered to the fleet Mt Callao and Mag
dalena Bay at SIG n ton. the excessive
price being due. OF course, to the long
distance and the time that the chartered
collers will consume in making the
journey.
THE GREAT LIST OF SUPPLIES.
The enormous amount OF provisions
which the fleet will carry is also worthy
of comment No other navy provides
such liberal dations for It's men as does
the American. and no other fleet ever
sailed that was provisioned on the scale
that this one is. Foreign navy officers
have been heard to declare that the
American navy pampers It's men too
much II certainly provides n liberal
allowance and n great variety, ration
vastly different from the salt pork
corned beef. potatoes. onions. coffee and
plum dun which makes up the bill of
fare OF most OF the foreign navies.
But In the storerooms OF Rear Admiral
Evans feet Is a far greater variety. The
supplies include 100000 pounds flour. J.
100000 pounds fresh beef (frozen). 100000
pounds potatoes. 10000 pounds smoked
ham. 100000 pounds OF vegetables. the
list including turnips. cabbages. carrots,
onions and asparagus: 100000 pounds TIM
ned corn. 10000 pounds timed peas, l50.-
00o pounds timed tomatoes. 10000 pounds
salt pork, 10000 pounds oatmeal. 100000
| pounds each OF rice. lard. mutton and
J corned beef 5oo.ooo pounds of canned
4 fruits. including apples. peaches. pears
and other fruits; 10000 pounds of con-
densed milk. 10000 pounds OF coffee. 1900
pounds OF tea. 10000 dozen fresh eggs
| 5000 pounds OF mustard. 5000 pounds of
pepper 5000 pounds OF salt. 10000 pounds
OF salmon. 10000 pounds of cheese, 1000
pounds OF rolled oats. 1900 pounds OF ap-
pie butter. 1900 pounds OF pickles. 10000
| pounds OF bologna sausage. 6oco pounds OF
nuts. and 5000 pounds OF Jam.
In a special order recently issued by
| Rear Admiral Evans from his flagship
the Connecticut, the itinerary OF the fleet
was announced.
PRACTICE CRUISE
The Journey has been officially de-
scribed as practice cruise. one that
has been undertaken for the skill that II
will give TO the personnel OF the fleet. In
the opinion OF President Roosevelt The
| best place for n naval officer to learn his
duties is at sea, by performing them. and
only by actually putting through voy-
age OF this nature, voyage longer than
any ever before undertaken by as large a
feet OF any nation. can we find out just
exactly what is necessary for us TO know
as 90 our naval needs and practice
/ Far and away the most powerful fleet
| that ever rendered obedience 10 the sig
nails OF a flagship. its admirars response
bllities and powers will be still further In
creased when the vast armament reaches
Magdalena bay.
II will there be Joined by tho battleships
| Oregon, Wisconsin and Nebraska: the
| four protected cruisers OF the Denver
class. several vessels OF a smaller type.
! and a division OF torpedo boats.
The combined fleets will have an aggre-
gate OF ~ vessels. the list including 10
batticsbps. eight arniored or,isers. and
nine protected cvrAsers. All OF the battle
ships. except the Oregon, arc new; the
eight armorcd cruisers are the latest
biggest and best that this country has
turned out The armored cruisers could
take their place In line Of battle. as could
the three new projected cruisers. th, ST
Louis. Milwaukee and Charleston.