The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-16
Big Fleet of Battleships Sails
Out of the HarbOr.
It Passes in Review Before
President Roosevelt.
CRUISE OF $4,000 MILES
Many Went From Washington
to See the Start.
Admirals Visit the President
on the MayflOwer.
HAND SHAKE FOR ALL,
The Nations Head Wishes Each
Admiral Good Luck.
Pacific Coast Cities Celebrate
the Great Event.
HAND SHAKE FOR ALL.
The Nations Head Wishes Each
Admiral Good Luck.
Pacific Coast Cities Celebrate
the Great Event.

Old Point Comfort, Va, Dec. 16.-The
backbone of the American navy, 1t
f1rst-class battleships, under command
of Rear Admiral Robley D. Evans, set
sail today for the Pacific ocean-a L, ,00C
mile cruise which has set all the world
to talking. Parading in review before
the president of the United States and
saluting as they went the stately white
vessels drew anchors from the rendez-
vous ground of Hampton Roads, steam
ed out of the famous old Virginia capes
and were lost to view on the southern
horizon, flmy, teI-tale columns of
black smoke being the last visible vest
ige of the departing fleet.
At ten knots speed they went, turn
ing their backs on the coast which SO
long has been their home and headed
for the eastern end of the West Indies
After threading their way among the
reefs of those islands the fleet will
bring up at Trinidad on Christmas ev-
ening-the first stage of its journey at
an end.
were fairly struck today with the press
of heavy stores and ammunition, while
decks resounded with the footballs of
thousand men in quarters. On a mis-
sion as pacific as the name of the wa
ters it soon will be ploughing, the fleet
was sent away prepared in every detail
for any duty.
President Roosevelt accompanied by
a party of guests came down from
Washington on the naval yacht May
flower. His arrival in the roadstead
was signalized by a roar of salutes.s
When the resulting veil of powder had
lifted from the ships the Mayfower
proceeded to anchor in the very center
of the throbbing fleet. There followed
a brief reception on board, the presi-
dent having a farewell message for the
four rear admirals and the 16 command
two fNfSa UxrI,n fol lySr ha cI7i ms
through Magellan to San Francisco.
Led by Roosevelt.
At the conclusion of the meeting on
the Mayfower's. quarterback, President
Roosevelt shook each officer cordially
by the hand and as they went over the
for journey of nearly ten miles, the
president, as commander-in-chief of
the American army and navy, led the
long list of battleships out into Chesa-
peake bay. They followed his flag to
Thimble shoal light. just five miles in
side the capes, where the Mayhower
turned aside and dropped her anchors
for the formal review.
As a naval pageant, the review and
departure of the fleet today was the
most notable in American history.
There have been several presidential
reviews of the Atlantic fleet during the
past Is months, but In those instances
the great ships were lying docile at the
end of spreading anchor chains, while |
the reviewing yacht passed up and
down their lines. Today the fleet was
under way, had cast off from the shore
and was outward bound on a cruise, |
which, as the president himself express |
ed it, mo fleet of such size has ever
before undertaken The guns which |
had voiced a welcome to the president |
upon his arrival in Hampton Roads ut |
tered goodbye tribute as they passed |
the Mayf1ower outward bound. The sa-
lutte of welcome had been paid in uni
son, the farewell tribute was an indi- |
vtdual Offering from each one of the |
16 ships. The fleet passed out in single |
the big government built Con-
necticut, flagship of Admiral Evans,
leading the way.
Line Miles Long.
The vessels were 400 yards a part