Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-16
GREAT GUNS BOOM
As WARSH|PS LEAVE
0LDP0|NTC COMFORT
Sixteen Monster Fighters in
the Big Squadron.
PRESIDENT REVIEWS THEM
Greatest Naval Display Ever Known
in America.
START OF THE 3.MoNTH CRUISE
officers All Bidden Godspeed on the
Quarter Deck Of the Mayhower-
An Impressive Picture.

With a hearty goodbye and
good luck" from the President of
the United States, the most mag
nihcent armored fleet ever assem-
bled under the American flag, six
teen powerful battleships, set sail
for the Pacific ocean today on a
cruise that has set all the world to
talking. The day was brilliant with
sunshine and the spectacle pre-
sented as the ships moved down
the bay and out of the Virginia
capes was not only inspiring, but
unique in the annals of American
history.
The President received all the
admirals and captains on board the
Mayhower before they sailed, but
made no speech. The occasion he
felt did not require one as the set
ting out of the fleet is regarded
merely as a detail of naval practice
and training. But to the guests on
his yacht the President expressed
his unfeigned delight at the show
ing made by the magnificent feet.
OLD POINT COMFORT. Va. December
16-The backbone of the American navy.
sixteen first-class batt,eships. under COM
mand of Rear Admiral Robley D. Evans.
set sail today for the Pacific ocean, n
14,O00-nile cruise which has set all the
world to talking Paradins in review be-
fore the President Of the United States
and saluting as they went. the stately
white vessels drew anchors from the rem
devious ground of Hampton roads.
steamed out of the famous old Virginia
capes and were lost to view on the
southeastern horizon. flmy. tell-tale COLI
umns Of black smoke being the last vis-
ible reminder of the departing fleet.
At ten knots speed they went. turning
their backs on the coast which so long
has been their home and headed for the
eastern end of the West Indies. After
threading their way among the reefs OF
those islands. the fleet will bring UP at
Trinidad on Christmas Eve-the first stage
Of its journey at an end. The belted
sides of each armorclad were fairly bulg.
ing today with the press of heavy stores
and ammunition. while decks resounded
with the footballs of a thousand men in
quarters. On q mission as pacific as the
name Of the waters it soon will be plow-
ing, the fleet was sent away prepared in
every detail for any duty.
Holiday Weather.
The day of departure broke fair and
cool, with an eight-mle breeze blowing
from Just little to the south of west and
rutling the waters of the roads into
sparkling waves.
At the time of the Presidents arrival
the brilliant sun had set the bright work
and polished decks dancing In its rays.
The immaculate white hulls of the big
fighting machines cleaned resplendentiy.
Not cloud fiecked the sky.
The early. morning scenes about the feet
anchorage were most picturesque. Long
launches were making their last trips
from the shore, some of them blowing
impatient whistles for delayed mail or
derlies, who were the last persons to be
taken aboard.
Man-o'-warsmen arose early. Five
o'clock found every deck of the sixteen
ships we'll filled with them.
They were busy with the last chores OF
scrubbins and polishing.
Changing red and white signal lights
glowed at times from mastheads. snip
commanders having some last instructions
to receive from the divisional fiagships.
AS daylight came the ship lights disap-
peared one by one until all were gone as
the sun rose a great red ball In the east.
1t seemed to hang for time in the gate
way OF the Virginia capes, through which
the feet was soon to pass, then mounted
higher into the skies with the promise
fulfilled of perfect day.
At eight bells. or o'clock in the morn
ing watch, the dressing lines were broken
out on every battleship and the pretty
little triangular signal flags gave gala
touch to the scene.
Received the Captains.
President Roosevelt. accompanied by
party Of guests, came down from WASH
ington on the naval yacht Mayiower.
His arrival in the roadstead was signal.
lied by a roar of salutes. When the re-
sulting veil Of smoke had lifted from the
ships, the Mayflower proceeded to anchor
in the very center of the waiting feet.
There followed brief reception on board,
the President having a farewell message
for the four rear admirals and the sixteen
officers who are taking the
ships through Magellan to San Francisco.
At the conclusion of the meeting on ths
Mayaowers quarterback, Ifesident Rooss.