Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1906-1908, 1907-12-20
OFF FOR The PACIFIC
GREAT MONSTERS OF WAR LEAVE
HAMPTON ROADS IN FOR
MIDABLE ARRAY.
ROOSEVELT REVIEWS PARADE,
Evans and Aides Say Farewell and Then
Vessels Weigh Anchor and Plow
Waves on 14,0oO-Mile Trip.
ROOSEVELT PROUD SPECTATOR
REVIEWS PARADE,
ROOSEVELT PROUD SPECTATOR

OLD POINT COMFORT, Va, Dec.
1G.-The backbone of the American
navy, sixteen first class battleships, IN
der command of Rear Admiral Robley
ID. Evans. set sail today for the Pacific
ocean-a 14,00O-mile cruise, which has
set all the world to talking Parading in
review before the President of the Unit
cd States aboard the yacht Maytower
and saluting as they went, the stately
white vessels drew anchors from the rem
devious ground on Hampton Roads,
steamed out of the famous old Virginia
capeS and were lost to view on the
southeastern horizon, tilmy, tell-tale col
umns of black coal smoke being the last
visible vestige of the Departing fleet. At
ten knots speed they went, turning their
backs on the coast which 50 long has
been their home and headed for the east
ern end of the West Indies.
Roosevelt Gay in Delight.
The President received all the ad-
miralS and captains on board the May
flower but made no speech. But to the
guests the President expressed his I'M
feigned delight. Pacing the quarter
deck in his enthusiasm and smiling in
characteristic fashion, the President fire.
quently would exclaIm: Did you ever
see such a feety' And such a day"
1t ought to make us all feel proud.
The President sent for Seaman Will
liam Chandler, coXSWain of the LOUIS
iana's launch and told him to convey to
the men Of the Louisiana his special
greetings. The Louisiana is the ship
on which the President and Mrs. RoOs,,-
welt made their return trip from the
| Isthmus of Panama. The sailor was
presented by the President to Mrs.
Roosevelt and then after the embar-
raised cOXsWain had taken his leave the
president said
Il tell you our enlisted men are every
thing, they are perfectly bully and they
are always up to everything required OF
them"
Each departing admiral and captain
, was wished the best of luck, old fellow,
and goodbye"
The fleet sailed from its anchorage
shortly after 10 O'Clock.
President Roosevelt's party included
Mrs. Roosevelt. Miss Ethel Roosevelt,
Secretary Of the Navy and Mrs. Met
calf. the Assistant Secretary of the
Navy and Mrs. Newberry, Rear Admiral
w. ii. Brownson, chief of the bureau of
navigation, and Mrs. Brownson; Rear
Admiral and Mrs. Cowles, and Lieuten-
ant Commander and Mrs. Simms.
The day Of departure was magnificent.
Not al cloud flecked the sky.
Welcome to the President
The Mayfower swung into Hampton
roads shortly after s o'clock. Twenty
one times the cannon of Fortress Mon
roe voiced their notes of welcome to the
President. The naval yacht kept silent
ly on accepting the salute as her due.
1t was not until the Mayfower had
nearly reached the Old Point pier that
the President had his first view of the
splendid fleet. One either side of a
marine boulevard the ships were dis
posed in two long lines, the tiagships
Connecticut and Minnesota, standing re-
spectively at the aead. Like players
at some giant game of London bridge
the twin battelships stood with figura-
tive arms over clasped waiting for the
Mayfiower to pass beneath. Each ship
was gaily dressed and black smoke pour
ing from every funnel
The Connecticut. flying the flag OF
Rear Admiral Evans, COMMANDMENTS
chief of the expedition, was the first to
speak to the President. Her starboard
and port saluting guns began alternate
ly to proclaim their respect. The other
other ships then took up the firing and
Ill less than two minutes time 1876 guns
had doomed.
Last Farewells Are Said
Then the Connecticut's torpedo launch
with Ad mral Evans aboard darted
swiftly to the Maytlower. Following the
lead. the launches from all of the other
ships were soon swarming about the
MayfoWer. From the Minnesota came
the barge of Rear Admiral C. NJ.
Thomas, commander of the second
squadron; from the Georgia there was
the barge of Rear Admiral William H.
Emory, commander of the third divi-
Sion and from the Alabama came Rear
Admiral G. s. Sperry, commanding the
fourth division. Each admiral was ac-
companied by his staff The captains
commanding the ships followed and with
their arrival the reception reached its
climax. The ceremonies were short and
within an hour all of the officers were
once more in their dancing launches, re-
turning to their ships The PRESIDENT
last wishes of good luck had been ut
tered
"Get Under Way" Comes Order.
Suddenly the signal yards of the Con
nectlcut flashed the message: Get I'M
der way immediately following the mo-
tions of the flagship
Orders volleyed from each vessels
bridge. Dressing lines were hauled in
and the ships were robbed of gala at
tire. Everything was in cruising trim
now and the time for play was past.
The Maytower proceeded to take her
place at the head of the column and
Led lee the way to the reviewing waters off
Thlmble Shoal lighthouse, ten miles into
Chesapeake bay. AS the President
boat steamed out each vessel she passed
manned the rail with blue jackets. all of
whom stood at attention
Next came the whirl and hiss of steam
driven windlasSes and the grinding clank
of lifting anchor chains. Sixty fathoms
of chain had been laid out on each ship
Parade Inspiring Picture
The Connecticut and the other ships OF
the first division. the Kansas. the Yer
mont and the Louisiana. We're the first
to get their anchors folded. The sweep
of the ebbing tide had turned every
ships stem to the west and it was neces-
sary TO swing each vessel for the east
ward start
When at last all sixteen ships were in
position, in single column, 400 yards