New-York tribune., 1907-12-17
BIG FLEET OFF FOR PACIFIC.
President Roosevelt Leads the First Stage of the Voyage
to the West Coast
Sixteen Baeps Pass Outside the Virginia Cape About Noon
Fourteen Thousand Mile Cruise.

Old Point Comfort. Va, Dec. 16-Sixteen
hard hitting, steel belted American battleships,
gun bristling and burly of girth. but sparkling
white in their immaculate dressings Of peace,
sailed away to-day under the dazzling sun OF
a cloudless winter sky on their famous twin sea
expedition of 14,OOO miles along foreign shores
and changing climes the west coast of the
United States. President Roosevelt, on the
bridge of the Mayfower, his cruiser yacht. per-
sonaly led the magnificent four-mile line of
fighting vessels during the first stage of the
voyage. From the anchorage ground. in Hamp-
ton Roads, to the horseshoe bend of Chesapeake
Bay his eagle crested flag of blue pointed the
way to the fleets new home at the Golden Gate
Then, when the wide reaches of the sea were
visible through the wide swung capes of Vlr-
ginia. he turned aside and. coming to anchor
age reviewed the passing pageant.
The blue of the sky, the stretch of blue sea.
the glistening of spotless hulls the curl of foam
crested waves, the cheering of sailors afoat and
friends ashore. the breeze blown strains of
"Auld Lang Syne" floating across the waters.
the blare of trumpets. the ruffe of drums. the
flash of signals and the boom of saluting cam
non marked the departure of the fleet, which
presented to the people who watched spec
tacle they will never forget. and to the world at
large the reality of the trimmest, snuggest. most
homogeneous, most thoroughly equipped. most
mobile and most self reliant assemblage Of first
class battleships ever gathered in command
There was not q ship In the line old enough
to have smelled powder or taken the shot of
Manila or Santiago-stories written scarcely ten
years ago in the history OF nations All were
modern of design and armament-examples of
the aggressive seagoing navy which the Presl-
dent has declared to be so essential to the peace
of the country.
Attaches of foreign legations and embassies
at Washington and many correspondents who
have seen war service on foreign journals freely
declared that to-day's naval display was the
most impressive they had ever seen- The IA
ciIity with which the big vessels were handled.
the manner In which they were manceuvred into
single column formation and the perfect align
uent which was maintained to the southwark
turn from the cape called out the warmest ad-
miration The thrill of the beautiful marine
picture was felt until the last wind blown spiral
of smoke was lost on the horizon.
PRESIDENT GREETS OFFICERS
The sailing of the fleet was preceded by
ception on the quarterback of the Mayfiower.
which shortly after O'Clock this morning
steamed into the centre of the anchored fleet
President Roosevelt warmly greeted the four
rear admirals and the sixteen commanding off,
GERS of the fleet as they climbed from dancing
launches up the starboard gangway of the yacht
He had word of confidence and well wishing
for all. but made no formal address. The PresI-
dent felt that the occasion did not call for any
such remarks. as the cruise just undertaken IS
officially regarded only detail of naval
training.
The inspiring sight of the gayly dressed vessels
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 rap
idly up and down the deck. anxious to obtain a
view Of the great double squadron from every
possible vantage point. To the Secretary of the
Navy Mr. Metcalf. and the others of his guests
on board he was constantly exclaiming about
the beauty and grandeur of the surrounding
scenes.
Did you ever see such fleet? And such a
day. Isn't it magnificent? Oughtn't we all to
feel proud?" And then the President had some-
thing to say OF the enlisted men. In the midst
for the coxswain of the Louisiana's launch. and
through him dispatched a special message Of
greeting to that ships crew 1t was on the
Louisiana that the President made his recent
trip to the Isthmus of Panama. and ever since
that time he has felt a personal interest in all
the ship has done. When the surprised and en-
barrassed coxswan Seaman William Chandler.
had been presented to Mrs. Roosevelt as we'll as
IN the President and had again clambered into
,,s launch. the President said to those about
him:
81 tell you our enlisted men are everything
They are perfectly bully, and they are up to
everything required of them. This is indeed a
great fleet and great day.''
ADMIRAL. EVANS FIRST ABOARD.
Admiral Evans commander in chief of the de-
parting fleet was the first of the flag officers
to be piped over the side of the Mayiower. He
hurried to where the President stood waiting, |
and. bringing his right hand to saluting posi-
ton paid his formal respects and gave his per- !
sonal assurance that the ships of his command |
were ready for their trip to the other side or |
the continent. President Roosevelt acknowi-
,dged the salute with lifted hat and accepted |