The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-12-20
BATTLE FLEET OFF.
Roosevelt Bids Farewell to the Nigh
ty Dogs Of War-Declares the
~ men are "Bully.'

of peace, sailed away from their an
chorage in Hampton, off tho Virgin
ia coast, on Monday, under the daZ-
zling sun of Il cloudlcsS winter sky on
their famous twin sea expedition OF
$4,000 miles along foreign shores and
the United States. President Roosc-
welt, on the bridge Of his cruiser
yacht, the Mayflowcr, personally led
the magnificent four miles Of fight
ing vessels during the first stage Of
their journey. From The anchorage
ground in Hampton Roads to the
Horse Shoe Bend Of Chesapeake Bay
his eagle crested fla" or biuc point
ed the way to the navy'; new home
nt the G>l:i.n Gate. L" i when the
N'ds .a.i-. ai Tia ~. n>r.. visible
= rough He wide swung capcs Of
Virginia, IL 'trncd as.;- aal, com.
in. TO aurllc" ,'t, rcv:a = :ic ra.,.
Jug pag"a :.
The bn'm Of sa ,'ir2 ranror
prrorn:,r% to iEc people who watch
cA spectacle tncy will rcvr: forget
and to the world at large The reality
Of The trimmest, most thoroughly
equipped asscmblago Of frst-class
battle ships ever gathered in com
mani.
There was not a ship in the line
old rhou"l to have smcll1d the pow
der OF Manila or iago--sl orics
written scarce ten years ago in The
history of naiionS All we're modern
Of design and armament.
The thrill Of the beautiful marine
picture was felt until the last wind
blown spiral OF smoke was lost ON
tho horizon
Arrival of the President.
The sailing Of Inc fleet was pre-
ccdrA by Il reception on the deck Of
The Mayflowrr. which shortly after s
O'Clock steamed into The centre
of the anchored fleet. The
president warmly greeted The four
admiralS and the sixiren commandin"
officers Of the fleet rs they climbed
up the $larhnard "an%way Of the
yacht. lie had word of conf
slcncc and wcll-wishing For all, but
made no formal address.
The inspiring sight Of the vessels
gaily dressed ut anchor aud waiting
the word /" 90 put the president in
rare good spirits. While The May
Flower was coming into position and
waiting for the reception to begin
the president paced rapidly up and
down the decks. anxious TO obtain Il
view Of the great Iouhlc squadron
from every possible vantage point.
'Did You ever see such Il fleet d?
And such il day? Isn't IT magnificent d?
Ou%sitn' t we all to fell prond?' en-
claimed the president. In the miLst
Of The reception T." ihr higher officers
hrt srni for the r"x>wnin Of the
l!ruiSi;tna : launch anl tlrnuwh nim
dispatched Il special message Of
Grr"tln" I" thai ships crew. When
the surprised aud embarrassed cox
swan Seaman William Chandler,
had been presented in Mrs. RnoS,-
Welt rs we'll rs 10 the president and
had again rlamhurrl in,o Ills launch
thr president said 70 those ahnu.
him:
~ tell Yen "ur enlisted men are
everything. They are perfectly bull
~ and they are up 10 everything re-
quir'd Of them. This is indrr, a
great fleet and Il "rrat day."
Reception on the Mayflowcr.
AdmirAl Evans, command lrr-i,-
CHIEF Of tnr departing fleet. WAS ihc
first "f the flag officers to b. piprd
over thr side Of ,hr Mavtlowrr. tie
hurrI'd |" where the president stood
waiting and. bringing his right hand
to Salntin@ position, paid his Formal
respects aAI cave his personal as
Surancr that thc ships of his com
mand were ready for their trip To
the other side Of The hemisphere.
President Roosevelt acknowledged
H." salute with lifted hat AMI accept t.
ed the formal words Of grcrtinu A.;
slllily rs they were uttered Then,
with the brief ceremony ended, h,
grasprl Admiral EVANS hand and
gave it 'hc hcar!icst Of shakes. Tho
two coAvcrScd together informally
for moment or two until other ar.
irving flag and commanding officers
SET the reception into full swing.
When Admiral Evans was about to