New-York tribune., 1907-12-17

for moment or two until other arriving flag and
commanding officers set the reception in full
swing. When Admiral Evans was about to take
his leave and get the fleet under way the Presi-
dent followed him to the gangway and then
called him aside for nearly five minutes OF
earnest consultation The President spoke with
his usual emphasis and the admiral listened in
tently with a constant affirmative nod of his
head.
During the reception the President was pho
tographed with the officers grouped about him.
A marine guard and band were stationed on
the Mayfowers decks and the ceremonies Of
receiving and sending away the visiting officers
gave a martial touch of color to the occasion.
Rear Admiral Berry. commanding the Norfolk
Navy Yard. journeyed to Hampton Roads on
the torpedo boat stringham to pay his respects
to the President, and his dark hulled. rakish
looking craft passing in among the white clad
battIeships added something of the sinister side
to the purpose Of a navy's being Black Of
hull and tunnels. with no touch Of color any,
where in the relief. the Strfngham glided about
like some creepy reptile There was another
acted as convoy to the Mayfower. But the
Tingey was far more pleasing IN her sea green
coloring and bright yellow band about the for
ward stack She remained by the side of the
Mayfower throughout the ceremonies.
In parting with the officers Of the feet Presi-
dent Roosevelt wholly informal. and to each
gave cordial handclasp. a grasp of the uni
formed shoulder and hearty "Goodby. old fell
low, and good luck"
ACTIVITY BEGINS EARLY
The waiting feet prepared early to weIcome
the President and later bid him adieu- Long be-
fore the first gray shadows of the breaking
day sIanted through the open gateway of the
capes the red and white Ardois lanterns on mast
heads were flashing signals from divisional flag
ships. SaiIormen by the hundreds were busy in
polishing decks and bright work for the coming
sun to bring out In sparkling relief against the
buff color of the superstructure- The ever busy
little steam running boats were making their
last trips from the shore with impatient whistles
screeching a warning 10 tardy mail orderiies
laden with last messages of goodby TO the de-
parting fleet when the sun broke above the
eastern horizon
1t was not long after the anchor lights had
disappeared that the slim white hull of the May
flower could be made out in the distance Then
the final preparations were rushed with VIII
orders had been given to dress ship at O'CLOCK
and the last bell of the morning watch had not
been struck when the dressing lines. ahutter
with varicolored signal flags, were lifted 20 the
trucks above the fighting tops The gay dress
ings appeared II by magic on every ship OF
the feet and remained aloft until the President
had taken his place at the head OF the line and
the start for the Pacific cruise was an actuahty.
Then they came tumbling to the deck and tho
shjps had once more assumed the simple garb
of cruising trim.
The Old Point shores and the ramparts Of his
toric old Fortress Monroe were lined with thou
sands of persons as the feet lifted anchor and
got under way other thousands were gathered
aboard excursion craft of all descriptions Tho
government pier projecting far out into the
Roads at Old Point was living mass Of hui
n,anitv In the crowd were gathered wives
sisters and sweethearts of officers and enlisted
men. all feeling the common impulse OF mingled
admiration for the vast marine picture unfolded
before them and the heartburninss Of a long
parting with relatives and friends 1t was
peculiarIy fitting. therefore, that when the
flagship Connecticut swept by the pier ths
hand assembled on the quarterback should play
..The Girl I Left Behind Me-, and then, moro
plaintively came the strains OF Auid Lang
svnep followed in turn by The Star Spansied
R.nnsr" IT was a pretty indication that amid
the regrets of parting the call Of patriotic duty
was at last the one thing to be considered
NO HITCH IN THE PROGRAMME
rbere WAS not hitch in any of the details
of the well planned programme. but there were
a number of amusing incidents. not the least 'f
which we're the antics OF four sailors whoshsd
overstayed their leave shore and were "a
ticaIlv calling from the Old Point pier for u
boat TO pick them up. At last one of the quar-
"a. conceived the idea of wigwagsins their
Might to the commanding officer. Seizing his
own can and another from companion ne
to a pile head and for nearly ten min
utes waved arms and caps according 10 ths
signal code But it too late TO stop for
stragrIers. and the disappointed sailors. their
dittv boxes and clothes bags safe aboard ths
parting ships were left behind.
When the President and the officers were pos
ing for their pictures Admiral Evans called forth
laughter by exclaiming to the group of photos-
raphers:
"shoot fast, you fellows You need some