Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-12-13
WORD "READY' FLASHED
FROM BA1TlESH|Ps
Big Fleet n Hampton Roads HuW
h Shape 10 leave al az
|nstant'se Notice.
WILL skIt 10 A. n. on MONDAY
President ard Party VIM Arrive al,
Ola Poln. About g a. m.-oHleera
Not Looking Forward to Cruise
with Pieasure-oistributio of High
Explosives.

tDy Associated Press,

OLD POINT COMFORT, VA. De.
le-PianH Tor tho review OF the Hoe,
and lis subsequent departure on
Monday morning have boen complct-
ed. The Maynowcr Will arrive soon
after n IN. and after being salutod
with q guns will anchor near the
center OF the fleet. Flag and cam
handing officers vii, repair on board
and he received by the President.
The fleet viii sail at about 10 q,
M, being preceded TO tho Horseshoe
IN Chesapeake Bay by the Mayilow-
or which will then anchor. The fleet
then viii pass In review Ut tcu knots
an hour and In single column, saiutine
again as they paes. the shipa will
proceed 10 sea. A scarchllght drill
tonight By MI the vessels was a br.l-
limit spectacle.
Final word OF ready" was flashed
fro mevery vcsscei in tho batticship
Deet today. In its last analysis this
signal nssspt that, the. i6 most pow
crful armor clada OF the American
navy were ready not only 10 start
next Monday morning on their pro-
jected cruise to the western seas,
but are Just as ready to go anywhere
In the twin hemispheres OF the world
aud do any work.
1t meant that huls arc sweet aud
clean. that giant compound engines
arc restless TO be at their task that
officers and men are trained 10 the
hour. that ,bunkers ARC overfow!ng
with the beat steam coal the mines
OF the country can produce, that lard
ers arc choked with shins' provisions
and that magazine doors are closed
upon the greatest stores OF ammunie
ton ever placed on board Aniericen
vessels OF war VS.
Tho care with which the .16 ships.
have been .groomed for their forth
coming voyage and the completeness
with which they have been stored
with all the Necessities OF a battle
chips usefulness IN peace.-- or war,
leaves no doubt Of the mobility ana
self reliance OF the great armed force.
Even Officers Surprised,
Even tho officers themselves are
Just little bit surprised at the
amount or work that has been nc.
complished and the quiet confidence
that has marked every step OF the
preparation.
If the ships were destined for i'm
mcdinte conflict little moro could be
done TO max them ready for the fray.
The distinctive white and buff paint
which has brought so much admira.
ton 10 the American ships. when
pitted Oh parade against the grlmy
hul'cd nayies OF other nations, would
OF course have 10 give way In favor
OF the safer ton OF ieaden gray. but
that Ia a matter OF only afew hours,
work
Gray paint 10 always carried by the
American ships and many of the of,
hcers believe IL would not DO a bad
Idea TO uae mis- color on such a long
and hard practice cruise as that upon
which they are about to set ont.
Now that all Is ready, officers and
ncn alike are anxious 10 get away.
The tour Is anything but a junkss.
and II means long hours and hara
work for everybody on toe ieet.
A"St - an tNtlfc absence OF en-
thraiasni. but manifest atmosphere
OF serious devotion TO duty surround
Ing tho departure OF the feet
The orders and the published i.in-
cry oher lItIo prospect OF entertain
inent or amusement enfnute. sea
duty. drills and target are the stand
4 ifg features OF the trip Though Ma
4 gollan straits TO the sand dunes anu
Indian huts OF Magdalena hay.
Have Many Charts Aboard.
One OF the points OF complete read :
iness marking the present status or
The foot Is 10 be found In the chart
houses OF the navigating officers
When the fleet wns first ordered 10
prepare for tho. raciflc voyage, The
payIgators OF each ship wore ,suppiled
With specially prepared cs,ar'a lead
Ing down the South Atlantic coaat
through the treacherous waters dR