The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1907-12-10
REAR ADMIRAL EVANS TAKES
FORMAL COMMAND OF PA.
clFIc-BouND FLEET.
ONLY TWO MISSING
American War Vessels Which Will
Make Trip to Pacific Ocean Assem-
bled on Famous battle-ground of the
Monitor and Merrimac-kentucky
and Minnesota Are Delayed.

Old Point Comfort, Va, Dec. 9.-The
double starred flag of blue, emblem
| of the commander-in-chief of the Pa
cific-bound fleet, flung to the breeze
from the main truck of the battleshiI
Connecticut today, and Rear Admiral
Robley D. Evans formally assumed his
position as leader of the greatest
naval movement in the history of the
American people.
This was assembly day for the fleet
which is to set sail next Monday, and
of the 16 great fighting machines or.
dered to skirt the southern end of all
America and inaugurate a new naval
era in the Pacific ocean, there were
but two laggards. These were the
16,0O0-ton Minnesota, flagship of Rear
Admiral Mathews, commander of the
second squadron of the fleet, and the
Kentucky, whose paltry 11,525 tons
relegated her to a position at the end
Of the armored column. The Kentucky
also is the Oldest vessel among the
16, having been laid down with her
sister, the Kearsarge, in 1898 at the
beginning of the war with Spain. Nine
years ago is an ancient period in mod
ern batteship construction so great
has been the strides in American
naval architecture.
The Minnesota and the Kentucky
are both expected to drop anchor in
Hampton Roads tomorrow, and then
the historic feet will be completed.
The new Maine, which two short years
ago was the flagship of the conman-
der-in-chief, but is now thrown back to
eleventh place, came in today, making
IA battleships at anchor off here
Arrangement of Vessels.
The ships are disposed in two long
lines leading in crescent, which be-
gins just off the old Point pier and
points toward Norfolk The Connecti-
cut, which lies scarcely more than a
stones throw from the pier, heads the
column nearest shore. Next to her is
the sister ship, the Louisiana, the
champion hard-hitting, fast vessel OF
her class, and then in turn come the
Kansas and the Vermont, all register
ing 10000 tons and belted with steel
that is rated well nigh impregnable.
These four vessels compose the first
division Of the first squadron of the
fleet, and are the personal barges of
Rear Admiral Evans.
The second division in the first
squadron is made up of the Georgia,
Virginia, New Jersey and Rhode
Island.
The flag of Rear Admiral William
H. Emery, in command Of the division,
floats from the Georgia. It also bears
two stars, but, in distinction from that
of the commander-in-chief, the flag has
red field, the same being true of all
of the three rear admirals who have
command of the divisions under Rear
Admiral Evans.
Second Squadron.
Both absentees from the fleet today
were in the second squadron column.
The Minnesota was the last Of the big
vessels to dock at New York, and was
given 4S hours grace under the orders
to report in Hampton Roads not later
than today. Awaiting the Minnesota,
in the second squadron are the Maine,
Ohio and Missouri, forming the third
division Of the fleet, and In the fourth
division are the Alabama, flagship OF
Rear Admiral Sperry, the Illinois and
the Kearsarge. The Kentucky will
complete this division and the squad
ron when she arrives from Boston.
Like the Minnesota, the Kentucky was
repaired at the Norfolk navy yard, but
was sent away to be docked and paint
ed below the water line.
The two long lines of battleships,
fianked on each side by vessels of the
auxiliary feet, present notable pic
ture and add one more impressive
naval event to the history of virginia's
far-famed roadstead, where the battle
Of the Monitor and the Merrimac
thrilled the world and set new
standard for future navies to build by.
Thousands See Ships.
Thousands Of sightseers from all
parts of the country are assembled
here to witness the final preparations
and the departure Of the feet. The
families of most Of the officers are
also among the visitors, and the week
is to be crowded with social events Of
both formal and informal character,
the principal function r. sa q naval