Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1907-12-20
GREATFLEET STARTS
UNOER COMMAND OF REAR
ADMIRAL EVANS.
President Roosevelt Went to Old Point
Comfort to Give Command Starting
Atlantic Fleet for Pacific-Review
Inside the Bay-World's Greatest
Armada in Perfect Condition.

Washington, Dec. 16.-President
Roosevelt, accompanied by Mrs. Roose-
welt and distinguished company of
guests, sailed on the naval yacht May
flower from the Washington navy yard
at 1907 O'Clock Sunday for Hampton
Roads. The president in his capacity
as commander in chief of the United
States navy gave the word of com
mand which sent the Atlantic battle
ship fleet on it's cruise to the Pacific.
AS the ships passed out to sea their
last farewell was from the president
On the deck of the Mayaower he lead
the ships through the Virginia capes,
then gave way to the flagship Con-
necticut as the double line of 16 iron
clads set their course to the south
ward.
Thus began what the president has
planned as the supreme test of the
American navy. The announced des-
tination of the fleet is San Francisco
bay, but when and where the cruise
will ultimately end seems as yet an un-
matured plan for the future.
Sailed at 10 O'Clock.
Old Point Comfort, Va, Dec. 49,
The Pacifc-bound Atlantic fleet left
Monday morning on it's journey
through the straits of Magellan en-
route, as the official order reads, for
the west coast of the United States"
Roar Admiral Elvonc cODouaDdor IN
chief of the fleet, the most notable of
American peace expeditions, boarded
the Maytlower and paid his respects to
the president and was Immediately fol-
lowed by the other flag and command
ing officers of the fleet.
The reception and the journeys of
the admirals and captains to and from
the Mayfiower lasted more than an
hour, and a half hour more was CON
sumed in lifting anchor and getting
the ships in position for the start,
which was made about 10 O'Clock. Two
hours later the first of the long line of
vessels cleared the Virginia capes and
turned her course to the southwark.
The review of the passing fleet by the
president took place near Thimble
shoal lighthouse, 10 miles down the
bay
Saturday night the 16 smoking bat
tleships were bathed in moonlight, the
view down the long twin lines of the
fleet being most impressive.
The enlisted force of each ship, num-
bering nearly a thousand men to the
company, was lined up at quarters to
listen to the reading of the articles of
war.
The men seemed deeply impressed,
as they were also with more personal
words which came in orders from Ad-
miral Evans, the commander in chief
and from the rear admfrals on board
the three divisional flagships. Every
man was told what his duty was to his
country, to his flag and to his superior
officers. They were cautioned to I'D
hold the dignity of their uniform when
going ashore at South American ports
and always conduct themselves in an
OiNCA4J anu oODSI Lduu0f. After the
articles of war had been read the chan
lains Of the several ships read from
the Bible at divine worship.
We could not take on another
pound of provisions" said one officer,
unless we followed the very bad ex-
ample of the Russians, who were
caught by the Japanese with eight
inch gun turrets stored with hams and
powder chambers filled with caviare. -
Several scouting parties were ashore
looking for pines to be used as Christ,
mas trees. Nearly all were successful
an dthe little pines will be carefully
slowed away until after Trinidad is
reached on Christmas eve.
Although bound for an extended tour
of duty in the Pacific ocean the feet
still retains its title of the United
States Atlantic fleet" under which
designation the last sailing orders
have been issued.