The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-04-24


opening-day ceremonies. The board of
governors is toiling day and night, stand
ing right behind the chiefs of depart
ments, who in turn are constantly watch
ing the Workmen 10 see that not a minute
is lost in work. a great deal of which
must be done by Friday morning. Me
ehanics and labOrers from every available
quarter are being put 10 work. and the
mechanics TO work overtime are being
given double pay.
The greatest feet of American war
vessels ever assembled in the historic
waters Of Hampton Roads-S00 coo tons of
floating steel-was made ready to-day TO
receive the first Of the visiting foreign
battle ships and cruisers which are from
time to time 10 take part in the celebra-
lions which viii mark the progress Of the
exposition.
For the opening of the exposition on
Friday the war vessels Of Great Britain,
OF Germany. and of Austria are expected.
One of the visiting Germans-the dark
hulled cruiser Bremen, commanded by
Lieut. Commander Alberts-is already in
the roadstead awaiting the arrival of the
Room, d big armored cruiser. typical Of
the modern fighting craft in Emperor
Williams navy.
There are probably twenty-five bat
tie ships and cruisers in the far-hung line,
which is headed by the Connecticut. just
of the government pier at Fort Monroe,
and which trails away almost TO the
vanishing point up the broad channel way
leading 10 Norfolk
Form Marine Panorama.
The fleet has been arranged so as 10
give the visitors 10 the exposition the
best possible opportunity for viewing the
fighting strength on the American navy.
The glistening white huIls. spotless in
their new coats of paint. and the bun SUI
perstructure OF the two and three piped
line of battle ships and armored and pro-
tected cruisers, form marine panorama
as viewed from the water front esplanade
of the exposition grounds such as has sell
dom if ever before been presented TO the
American public.
The vessels are anchored several thou
sand yards of the exposition shore, and,
being arranged in a huge semi-circle. are
fA3-Nf-N A+at.l NNEle tH-lL tt AAir EAUALA4e
Practically every type of fighting craft in
the American navy is represented in the
present rendezvous. The battle ships
range from the 16,030-ton monsters Of the
Connecticut and Louisiana class-the fore
runners of the DreadnOughts about 10 be
added 10 The uavy-down TO the all but
abandoned Texas. the oldest American
battle ship, and sister of the Maine. which
was wrecked IN Havana Harbor The
Texas was built at the Norfolk navy yard
many years ago, and. being a local prod
uct, is 10 remain at the exposition as a
permanent feature of the naval exhibit
With her eight guns and paltry 6,3l5 tons
OF weight, the Texas. when ranged along
side the mammoth Connecticut. which
mounts tWenty-fOur guns and displaces
10. coo tons of water, offers a striking eX-
ample of the progress CT the American
navy since the days of 1856 when the
Texas and the first Maine were authorized
by Congress.
Cruisers Formidable Craft.
The cruisers Of the fleet are an modern
craft though the variance in size between
the largest and the smallest Is as great
as that which marks the heavier vessels
of the battle class, The armored cruisers
Tennessee and Washington. each Of 1850
tons, and mounting 20 guns apiece. are the
heaviest Of the cruisers. They can hurl a
weight of metal almost equal TO the first
class battle ships, while at the same time
they possess the heetness Of the ocean
greyhOund-the massive. throbbing en-
giEcs in their holds being capable Of the
development Of 1000 horsepower. The
Cleveland-3,100 tons each-the third class
OF the protected vessels of the navy
In the cruiser class the most interest
ing vessel is perhaps the Brooklyn. the
flagship of Rear Admiral SChley in the
battle with Cervera's squadron of San
tiagO, Cuba The Brooklyn bearing on
her after-turret the memorable plate sim
ply and eloquently inscribed, July 8.
1S9S. will also remain a permanent naval
exhibit during the seven months of the
life of the exposition.
English Squadron Expected.
The English squadron, under command
of Rear Admiral Neville, is expected in
Hampton Roads either tomorrow or
Thursday There will be four armored
cruisers in the squadron, a homogeneous
set of gray-coated fighters built along the
feet lines of all the modern English YES
sells. The flagship will be the Good Hope,
and the companion ships will be the
Argyle. Hampshire. and Roxburgh.
The Austrian vessels, the armored
cruiser Sankt George, and the protected
cruiser Aspern, win arrive either late
Thursday evening or early Friday morn
ing. Il is hoped they viii be here in time
for the opening ceremonies. The vessels
of the other navies OF the world will ar
rive on dates yet TO be fixed. The Japa-
nese squadron is expected May S.
President Roosevelt will review the
gathered American feet and the visiting
foreigners from the bridge of the May
flower on Friday morning before he lands
on the exposition grounds. The foreign
vessels will be given positions Of honor
inside the long, sweeping circle Of Ameri-
can ships during their stay in the Roads.
Fifteen hundred blue jackets will be
landed from the American vessels to take
part in the military and naval parade on
Friday afternoon. which viii be reviewed
by the President from the grandstand
erected on the exposition plaza known as
Lees Parade. The foreign vessels In port
at that time will be invited to land
parties. and if they consent 10 do so, their
forces viii be given the right Of line
Getting Grounds in Shape.
The grounds about many Of the exposi-
ton buildings are now being put into
presentable shape by planting shrabbery,
and the warm weather is bringing out
the buds on the natural shrubbery and
trees to a marked extent
Every incoming train is bringing
strangers to Norfolk by the score. The
city is rapidly filling up. though there
are many places yet open, and the city
viii be well able TO care for the thousands
Of strangers who are expected at the
opening. The hotels have many reserva-