Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-26
FLEET AT TRINIDAD
CHRISTMAS DAY CELEBRATED.
TORPEDO FLoTILLA SAILS.

S.-The holiday spirit pervaded the Amer.
lean fleet yesterday. but 1t was more like
the celebration of the Fourth of July
than that Of the Christmas the men had
known in colder chimes. Decorations
there were In plenty and wreaths of holly
and evergreens swinging that had been
brought along to keep alive the remem-
brsnces Of the day: and there were special
dinners in the mess rooms for the officers
and turkey and other good things were
served for the men,
1t was not given to the men Of the tor
pedo boat fotilla to spend Christina s
ashore, for in the early morning with
Admiral Evans flag floating on the main
truck of the battleship Connecticut they
steamed away to Para. a Ave days Jour
ney. Had no accident happened to two
of the little vessels they would have
reached Para Friday. but though the acct
dents were of a minor nature 1t was
deemed better to make the repairs at this
port.
Big Crowds Ashore.
Today not less than six or seven thou
sand of the bluejackets were allowed on
shore, and they entered into the spirit OF
merrymaking with the townspeople.
""OSS SohAohtS HoSpitdilly nave
known no bounds. This beautiful Span
ish town is at present looking its best.
and Christmas with its warm sunshine.
vas greatly enlvened by the thousands
of uniformed visitors who at one time
of the day or other paraded its handsome
thoroughfares.
The feature of the festivities was re-
gatta In which many of the battleships
had crews. There were plenty of exciting
finishes and enthusiasm ran high. Ad-
mirai Evans with his staff watched the
struggles of the competitors from his
launch and big crowds occupied points
of vantage along the course.
AS yet the battleships have not finished
coaling, for work was suspended yester-
day, but today 1t was resumed with en-
ersy. and it is expected that all the bunk
ers will be well supplied long before the
date of sailing has arrived.
Yesterday was as Happy Christmas for
the thousands of officers and men on the
American battleship fleet as 1t could pos
sfbly be away from home. The holiday
spirit pervaded the entire fleet. The men
on the torpedo boat fiotilla. however
could not join their fellow tackles of the
battleships on shore because they were
under orders to sail.
At O'Clock In the morning the torpedo
boats, after a delay of twent v four hours
incident to the repair of damages done
Tuesday when one OF the propelers of
the collier Fortuna. sailed for Para. Bra
zil. On the way to the Pacific.
On their way out of the harbor the
torpedo boats fired a salute to Admiral
Evans flag floating from the main truck
of the battleship Connecticut.
The battleship fleet at anchor In the
harbor here presented a beautiful sight
yesterday. Each of the ships in celebra :
tfon of the day was decorated with flags
and Christmas green from masthead to
r-ufn 1t,4
did not consist of the frs. hemlocks and
spruces, the evergreens of the north. but
of the tropical palms and bamboos. which
added a touch of strangeness to the sight
as viewed from some of the warships.
Trees in the Wardroorns.
The day was one of Qualification among
officers and men. There were Christmas
trees in the wardrooins of all the ships
bearing gifts for the officers from wives,
children. other relatives, sweethearts and
friends to show that. though many miles
from home, they were not forgotten. Most
of the gifts were presented while the
ships were in Hampton roads with the
understanding that the packages were
not to be opened until Christmas day.
Considerable sport was furnished by
races of boat crews from the various bat
tleships. The race for dinghies was won
by a crew from the Louisiana. while rep
resentatiyes OF the Kansas proved vic
torious In the race for officers. In adj
dition to the regatta comic athletic con-
tests were held on all the ships. and there
were numerous boxing contests.
Yesterday afternoon the officers OF the
Minnesota entertained all the other Off
GERS of the fleet at very pleasant recep-
ton.
Yesterday evening many dinner par
ties were given and there was great jol-
lily.
5000 Bluejackets Ashore.
A large number of officers spent the day
ashore sightseeing and snapshooting the
interesting scenes of tropical life to be
found here. Great squads of liberty men
landed from the fleet yesterday afternoon,
and it was estimated that at one time
there were between 6,OO0 and 1850 Ameri-
can bluejackets on shore.
The behavior of the sailors has been ex-
cellent, and they seem to be thoroughly
enjoying their stay here.
The ships, continued to take on coal
from golfers all of Tuesday afternoon
and until late that night, but no coalins
was done yesterday. .
The weather yesterday was fine and the
waters in the gulf had the placid appear
ance OF midsummer.
Secretary Of the Navy Metcalfs Merry
Christmas" message was read to the men
on all the ships yesterday. 1t said:
Evans, Port of Spain. Trinidad:
The department extends to you. Off
GERS and men under your command, the
best wishes for a Merry Christmas.
(Signed) METCALF.
The greeting was received with cheers
This beautiful Spanish town is at pres
ent looking it's best, and Christmas, with
its warm sunshine. was greatly enlivened
by the thousands of uniformed visitors