Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-12-17
(By Associated Press,

Wy AoSUClutc0 1TcS9)
OLD POINT COMFORT, VA, Dec.
lG-Sixteen hard hitting. steel belt
ed, American battleships, gun prist-
ling and burly of girth, but sparkling
white in their immaculate dressings
of peace, sailed away today under
the dazzling sun Of cloudless win
ter sky on their famous twin sea ex-
petition OF 1912 miles along for
eign shores and changing clmes to
me west coast of the United States.
President Roosevelt, on the bridge
of his cruiser-yacht, the Mayhower.
personally led the magnificent four
mile line of fighting vessels during
the first stage of their journey.
From the anchorage ground In
Hampton Roads to the Horseshoe
Bend of Chesapeake Bay, his eagle
crested flag of blue pointed the way
to the navy's new home at the Col
den Gate.
Then when the wide reaches of
the sea were visible through the wide
swung capes of Virginia. he turned
aside and coming to an anchorage,
reviewed the passing pageant.
The boom of saluting cannon mark
ed the departure OF the feet-present-
Ing to the people who watched, n
spectacle they will never forget and
do the world at large. the reality OF
the trlmmest, most thoroughly
equipped assemblage of first class
battleships ever gathered in one COM
mand. There was not ship in the
line old enough to have smelled pow
der at Manila or Santiago-storles
written scarcely ten years ago in the
history of nations. All are modern
of design and armament.
The thrill of the beautiful marine
picture was felt until the last wind
blown spiral of smoke was tossed on
the horizon. The sailing of the fleet
was preceded by a reception on the
quarterback of the Mayhower, which
shortly after s o'clock this morning,
steamed into the center of the anchor
ed fleet
President Roosevelt warmly greet
ed the four rear admirals and the
sixteen commanding officers of the
fleet as they climbed up the star
board gangway of the yacht. He
had a word of confidence and well
wishing for all. but made no formal
address.
The inspiring sight OF the vessels
gaily decorated at anchor and wait
ing the word to go, put the President
in rare good spirits. While the May
flower was coming into position and
waiting for the reception 20 begin,
the President paced rapidly up and
down the deck, so as to obtain a
view or the great double line from
every possible vantage point.
did you ever see such a Heet?"
and such a day."
isn't il magnificent? Ought not we
all feel proud?" exclaimed the Pres
ident
In the midst of the reception to
the highest officers he sent for the
coxswain of the Louisiana's launch
and through him despatched a spec
ial message of greeting to that ships
crew. When the surprised and en-
barrassed coxswain, Seaman William
Chandler, had been presented to Mrs.
Roosevelt as well as to the Presi.
dent. and had again c,ambered into
his launch, the President said to
those about him:
Tribute to Enlisted Men.
Your 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, commander in chief
of the departing fleet. was the first
of the flag officers to be piped over
the side of the Mayfiower He hur-
ried to where the President stood
waiting. and bringing his right hand
to salrting position, paid his formal
respects and gave his personal as.