Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-16
PASSING IN REVIEW
IMPRESSIVE FAREWELL TO
" THE FLEET.

/oLD POINT COMFORT. Va. December
1.-THE M4yhower swung around the
water battery of Fort Monroe and into
Hampton roads shortly after o'clock.
The ssdting guns of the army posts were
ltthe first to signal the arrival of the Presi-
dent and his party. Twenty-one times the
cannon overlooking the picturesque moat
Cd this famous old army stronghold
voiced their notes of welcome. The white
naval yacht kept silently on her way, ac-
oeptins the salute as her due and as re-
aauiring no outward form of recognition.
Aboard the sixteen warships. at anchor
mile further up the roads, bugl>j had
already begun TO summon officers and
crews to quarters. Most of the men
aboard the vessels had been called sew
eral times in the past to welcome the
President, but there was special signifi-
canoe to today's ceremony. 1t was not a
time simply to look pretty on parade. but
coupled with it was note of goodbye
and good luck" which they felt had a
world OF meaning to it.
Squadron on Parade.
II was not until the Mayflower had
nearly reached the Old Point pier that
the President had his first view of the
splendid feet. On either side of veri-
table marine boulevard the ships were dis
posed in two long lines. the fagships Con-
necticut and Minnesota standing respec-
lively at the head of he shore and out
board columns. Like players at some
giant game of London bridge" the twin
hattheships stood with fgurative arms
cverclaSped waiting for the ,Mayfower to
pass beneath and down the lane to meet
the other ships. which were paired on OPP
posite sides and reached full two miles
away
Each ship was Saily dressed from Jack
staff Ia signal yard. the long lines of vari-
coiored bits of signal bunting fluttering
in the carly morning breeze, first in an
almost perpendicular rise from the stem
To the signal yards surrounding the fore
hghting top. then reaching straight back
TO the after top and down again TO the
stern rail of the quarterback Black
smoke pouring from every funnel indi-
Gated that the engineers forces were
building up steam for the first step in
tho memorable voyage.
The Connecticut. flying the flag of
Rear Admiral Evans, COMMANDMENTS
chief of the expedition. was the first to
speak the President Her starboard and
port saluting guns began alternately to
proclaim their respect and duty to the
nations chief Following the motions of
the flagship. II is expressed in the
navy. the other ships took up the firing.
and in less than two minutes time 3:sG
guns had doomed. A play at mimic war
fare by the finest fleet the American navy
has ever boasted could not have produced
more spectacular effect. The smoke OF
battle for time enveloped the fleet and
the smell OF gunpowder filled the air.
Evans Formal Call.
Again without formal recognition OF
the honors bestowed, the Mayf1ower en-
tered the warship lane and. proceeding
slowly 10 point about midway of the
assembled feet. let go her anchors and
swung around partly TO face the flow OF
tho ebbing tide.
No sooner had she done so than the
torpedo launch of the Connecticut. with
Admiral Evans and his staff on board,
WAS darting swiftly to her side.
Making the after gangway the officers, In
all the regalia of special fun dress uni.
form, repaired on board the yacht to pay