Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-12-16
FLEET STARTS0N CRUISE;
EYENTOF WORLDINTEREST
Backbone Of American Navy Starts on IA, 900
Mile Trip Under Pleasant and In
posing Conditions
BOOM OF CANNONS SALUTES PRESIDENT

into Hampton Roads shortly after 3.
The saluting guns of the army posi-
were the first to signal the arrival ,of
the president and his party Twen-
ty-one times the cannon voiced their
notes of welcome. The yacht kept 81
lently on her way, accepting the SAL.
ute as her due and as requiring no out
ward form of recognition. Aboard the
sixteen warships at anchor mile fur-
ther up the roads. the bugles had al
ready begun to summon the OFFICERS
and crews to quarters. Most of the
men aboard the vessels had been called
several times in the past to welcome
the president. but there was special
significance in today's ceremony. 1t
was not time simply to look pretty on
parade, but coupled with it was the
note of Good bye and good luck"
which they felt had a world Of mean
ing to it..
President Wishes Fleet Coed Luck.
1t was not until the Mayflower had
nearly reached Old Point pier that the
president had his first view of the
splendid fleet. On either side the YER
liable marine boulevard of ships were
disposed in two long lines, the flag
ship Connecticut and the Minnesota
standing respectively at the head of
the shore and outbound columns. The
other ships paired on opposite sides
reached fully two miles away. Each
ship was gaily dressed from jackstaff
to aagpoint, leaving lines of vari-col-
ored bits of signal bunting fluttering
in the breeze.
The MayfloWer entered the warship
lane, proceeding slowly to a point
about midway of the assembled fleet,
and let go her anchors. No sooner
had she done so than the torpedo
launch of the Connecticut. with Adj
miral Evans and his staff on board,
was swiftly to her side. Making after
the gangway, the officers, in all the
regalia of special full dress uniform,
repaired on board the yacht to pay
their respects to the president. He
received them on the quarter deck
and the exchange of greetings was
more hearty than formal.
Following the Connec cicuts lead
launches from all other ships soon
were swarming about the Mayfower.
Each admiral was accompanied by his
Slctil. IS Ct1plttlIlb tLlO
sixteen ships followed the flag Off
GERS Of the NIayflower. and with their
arrival the reception reached it's cli-'
max. The ceremonies We're few and
within half hour after Admiral
Evans had first stepped abroad the
Mavflower the officers were returning
to their ships.
Get Under Way.
The last good byes had been said
and the presidents last wishes for
good luck had been uttered. Suddenly
the signal yards of the Connecticut
flashed the message:
Get under way immediately follow
ing the motions on the flagship" The
orders were volleyed from each ves-
SETS. bridge. They were conveyed by
warning bells to the engine rooms and
soon the ships were robbed of gala at
tire. Everything was In cruising trim,
now that the time for play was past.
With the departure of the fleet, the
Maytiower proceeded to her place at
the head of the formidable column and
led the way to the reviewing waters
off Thimble Shoal light house, ten
miles out in the Chesapeake bay. The
Mayfiower retreated down the war
ship lane, each vessel as she passed
manned to the rail with blue jackets,
all of whom stood at attention.
The President Cheers Flagship.
The Mayf1ower got under way at 10
a. M, and headed for Horse Shoe to
prepare for the review. The Dolphin
and Yankton followed. The fleet be-
~ ~ al,z,. -
1906. The ships were loudly cheered
by the crowds on shore. The yacht
Mayf1ower the dispatch boat Dolphin
and the torpedo boats Stringham and
Tinsley anchored together off the tail
Of Horse Shoe. The fleet passed in
review of the president, who was
standing on the bridge Of the May
flower, at 11:15. AS the Connecticut
at the head Of the line, with Admiral
Evans on the bridge, and the rails
manned by 500 sailors flags and perl-
nants fluttering In the breeze, and the
band playing a national anthem, swept
grandly past the reviewers, she pre-
sented picture which fairly thrilled
those who saw her, and set the pat
riotic pulses beating in quickening
rhythen1. The president lifted his hat
f
and the spontaneous cheer he voiced
was quickly taken up by others in the
party.
Abreast of the presidential yacht,
the Connecticut began her series of
salutes. The men at the rails, at the
word of command raised their right
hands to their caps and held them
there until the Mayfower was cleared.
On the forward bridge Captain Hugo
Osterhaus and the fleet navigating Of
flcer came to attention with flourish
of swords. Admiral Evans and mem
bers of his staff saluted similarly in
turn from the after bridge, while the
marine guard with polished rifles,
stood nlotionless at present arms
The drums abroad the flagship were
ruffling their tokens of respect when
at last came the strains of Star