New-York tribune., 1907-12-02
READY FOR LONG CRUISE.
Cro1cds Fiat Nary Yard to Bid
FdrezCeH to Sailors.

Yesterday was the last Sunday for many long
months that the five battlesIlips in the Brooklyn
navy yard will spend in this part Of the country.
The quintet OF formidable vessels as magnificent
examples OF naval architecture as the worlds
navles boast. the Connecticut. the Louisi-
ane. the Ohio. the Alabama and the Rhode Island
Within week the lighting monsters will be
their first leg OF the voyage eighteen United States
battleshps TO make a practise cruise to
San Francisco
The Louisiana will be the first leave this port
for Hampton Roads where the fleet is to reu-
devious. and whence they will sail on December
16 what is 10 be III every sense OF the word
pacific cruise The Louisiana. with Captain Rich
ard Wainwright commanding. will leave her sister
ships early this morning and slowly make her
stately way TO Virginia waters. There viii be few
10 witness her departure her long voyage from
this port but judging from the number of persons
who visited the batteship yesterday to say goodby
to the nearly ono thousand mon aboard each OF
them Will carry with him tho well wishes Of at
least lulf a dozen friends relatives.
Not in many months have there been many
visitors at the navy yard filed in and out yester
day from carly morning until shortly after eight
bells in tho afternoon. It would necessarily be
rough estimate to hazard ,.s : but all day there
was a never ceasing lii Wit. 1 day the little
ferryboat running to apd from the Cob Dock car
ried her capacity trip for the L siana
tied up at the dock and she rec - the
greatest attention Even the Connecticut flag
ship OF the fleet. lying diagonally opposite, was
comparatively neglected But then it not a
crowd curiosity seekers entirely that went
aboard the Louisiana.
or course there was a large proportion of WON
erl-who doesn't know that favOrite toast of the
navy "Sweethearts and Wives? Both were there
in legion But also there We're many mothers. and
the farewell taking was not altogether OF
frivolous affair. Not man aboard. though. was
neglected. each had his visitor. either friend or
relative. Even the smiling little Japanese ward
room bovs who remain in the American naval sell
vice notwithstanding the penny-terribe stories OF
the fleets true mission. were not forgotten by their
friends.
Another busy place yesterday the naval
branch OF the Young Mems Christian Association,
in Sands street The tars went there In groups OF
five and ten and most OF them spent much OF their
time the writing room
The Louisiana was all ready yesterday for her
start daybreak-or soon after-this InornihS-
Shore leave was suspended on Saturday, and the
mil conpIement was aboard nothing remains to
he done but to get her under way. The Louisl-
ana will be followed by the Connecticut AdIniral
T.vanss flagship. Wednesday. The Ohio the
Alabama and the Rhode Island VIII also sa'l IN the
course of the present week
The activity of the last few weeks IN the navy
ward getting the vessels ready for their ten thou
sand mile cruise has ceased and on SATURDAY seven
hundred and fifty men were taid or Great satls-
faction was expressed. however, with the Work OF
the extra mechanics for IT had been accomplished
IN -ec,rd breaking time. 1t done under the
supervision of Naval Constructor William j. Baxter
r,t,o.a ,.os another cause for sadness among the
men on the Louisiana yesterday. aside from their
denarture from New York. 1t was the order tiat
Snuds the mascot dog. was to get shore leave ana
,,-,,,15 nor make the cruise. There was deep
touch of pathos In tho lamentations OF 'le men
. .t,. ,,ar,inr for Spuds beloved by all. and
as one tar said He knows more than any ma
rire The louisiana however. Will not De without
= mascot. for the Angora goat Not Yet butt soon
In o ,Ionr which 1nollifed. il part at least, the
sailors for the loss of Spuds