Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-12-14
Day Put in Making the
Final Preparations
for Inspection.
START 10 A. M. MONDAY
President Will Pass Among
the Battlsships in Yacht
and See Start.

Norfolk, Va, Dec. 14.-With the
coaling and loading of stores of every
description complete, and everything
in readiness for next Monday mornings
start on their voyage to the Pacific
coast, the severe snow storm which
struck the coast lasting throughout
the night and continuing with greater
intensity during the day, had little eff
feet upon the great battleships of the
Pacific-bound Atlantic fleet as they
rode safely at anchor through the gale
in Hampton Roads.
Wind 4S Miles an Hour.
The wind reached a velocity of IS
miles an hour at Cape Henry at 4 this
morning, and the seas. rolling almost
mountain high, made it dangerous for
craft of all kinds caught in the teeth
OF the gale. The storm was followed
by hard wind along the coast, and
dense fog at the Virginia capes, max
ing it well nigh impossible to distin-
guish passing vessels.
Find Work to DO.
there was COHSlu6IdDlG dCIlN-
ity aboard ship getting everything i'll
the best possible trim looking to abso-
lutte perfection for Mondays start and
for the inspection at long range of the
armada by President Roosevelt from
the deck of his yacht, the Mayflower
The heavy seas and today's storm made
the massive big steel ships roll con-
aoisl h,,k
unusual consequence except of its in
reference with small launches.
Day of Farewclls.
Sunday will be day of farewell
greetings at Old Point Comfort. Fami-
lies of many officers who go out in the
fleet are there and the last visit ashore
of the officers will be made Sunday
night. The signal to get under way
will be flown from the towering yards
of the flagship Connecticut shortly be-
fore 10 Monday morning, and under
the eye of the president the ships will
pass outside the capes and turn their
prows to the south.
Will Show Biggest Fleet.
Trinidad is the first scheduled stop
ping place on the way. I'VE will show
the people of the Pacific coast the fin
est double squadron of war vessels
ever in the western seas. No fleet of
such size has ever made the voyage -
wrote the president in his message
to congress, statement which gives
official expression to the magnitude of
the undertaking, whose chief purpose,
it is stated, is ito train the battleships
in squadron maneuvers under severe
conditions" and it is officially added
Teach by Actual Practice.
"The only way by which to teach
officers and men how to handle them
so as to meet every possible strain
and emergency in war time is to have
them practice under similar conditions
in time of peace" ,
1t will be the object of Rear Ad-
miral Robley D. Evans and the officers
and men cruising in the wake of the
double starred flag to bring out on the
14,00Omile journey all the information
the navy department and the president
desire in sending them and to show
what the needs of the navy are to en-
able the authorities to provide for
them.
Have Naval Ball.
Old Point Comfort, Va, Dec. IA
naval and military ball was given at
the Hotel Chamberlain last night in
honor of Admiral Evans and the other
officers of the 1G battleships which
sail Monday to the Pacific ocean.
The reception and dance closed a
day given over to social functions, fol
there is little or no work to do. En-
listed men came ashore in large mum
bers, while on board ship the gunners
and wardroom officers kept oper
house. Afternoon tea was served or
every vessel and impromptu musicals
were given. Launches filed with ga,
parties from shore made frequent trips
during visiting hours.
Ballroom Bright with Color.
The ball. the most formal event o.
the week, called for dress uniform:
and naval officers were a-glitter will
gold lace. Army officers from Fort
ress Monroe added touch of artiller,
red and flags of all nations draped th'
ballroom. The social sets of Norfolk
Richmond. Baltimore, Washington ant
other eastern cities were represented
d. in the gathering.
Several naval attaches from foreigl
embassies and legations at Washing