The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1907-12-19
Torpedo Boat FlotiIla.
Winnie ,iellt HDtch o.


Old Point Comfort, Va, Dec. iS.-The
backbone of the American navy. six
teen first class battle ships, under the
command of Rear Admiral Robley D.
Evans, set sal! today for the Pacific
ocean IN a $4,000 mile cruise, which
has set all the world talking.
Parading in review before the presi-
dent Of the United States and salutfng
as they went. the stately White vessels
drew anchor from the rendezvous in
Hampton Roads and steaned out of the
famous old Virginia capes at a speed
Of 10 knots per hour, headed for the
eastern end Of the West Indies. After
threading their way among the reefs
Of those islands. the feet will bring
up at Trinidad on Christmas eve. first
stage of It's journey at an enc.
The weather was beautiful and the
conditions for the departure of the
fleet could not nave been much. inn
proved upon.
Salute for President.
President Roosevelt, accompanied
by a party of guests, reached here at
s:l3 O'Clock from Washington on the
naval yacht Maylower. Ills arrival in
the roadstead was signalized by firing
the fleet.
when the resulting Veil Of powder
had lifted from the ships, the Nav
flower proceeded to anchor in the verv
center of the throbbing fleet. There
followed a brief reception on board.
the president having e. farewell mes
sage FOR the -four rear admirals and
l6 commanding officers who are to take
the ships through the strait of Magel-
Ian to San Francisco.
At the conclusion Of the meeting on
the M~ayfower's quarter deck, the pres
1dent shook each officer cordially by the
hand and as they Went over the side
he babe them an official adieu,
Then, for q journey of nearly 10 miles.
the president, as commander In CHIEF
OF the American army and navy. led
the long line of battleships out to
to 'Thi,nble shoal light, just five miles
inside of the capes, where the Nav
flow turned aside and dropped .her
anchor for formal review.
Impressive Naval Pageant.
As q naval pageant. the review and
departure OF the fleet was most impress.
sive. The guns which had voiced I
welcome to the president upon his ar
rival in Hampton Roads. uttered good
by tribute as they passed the Nav
Hover. outward bound. The salute VEL.
come mad been peid in unison: the fare
well tribute was an individual offering
from each one Of the 1S ships. The Heei
passed out in single column. the his
government built Connecticut. the flag.
ship of Admiral Evans. leading thu
WHY.
The vessels We're 200 yards apart
From the Connecticut to the Kentucky
which brought UP tho rear, the lin,
reached a distance of more thar foul
miles. FIVE stages OF American battle
ship construction We're represented il
line and as an object lesson in tn,
growth OF tie American navy. the spec
tacje found n of its most striking
features.
A large number Of yachts and excur
sion oats accompanied the fleet dow
the aoy enc gathered at the reviewing
ground.
Presidents Party.
President Rooscveit's party on tn,
Mayilrwcr included Mrs. Roosevelt
Ethsi Roosevelt. Secretary OF the Nays
n AIRS. Metca1f, Assistant Seeretar,
or The Navy and Mrs. Newberry, Real
ma Mrs. Brewi1scn, Rear Ad.
nliral AID Mrs. Gowlcs. Lieutenant
Commander 3ad Mrs. Sim,ns T,.