Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-27
YANkTON STARTS SOUTH
LEAVES BATTLESHIP SQUADRON
AT PORT OF SPAIN.
Virginia Beats the Vermont in a
Coaling Race-Many Liberty
Men Ashore.

PORT OF SPAIN, December 27.-Five
of the battleships of the squadron weigh
ed anchor this morning and steamed out
into the Gulf of Paria to Swing ship
for the adjustment of compasses. They
returned to the anchorage at midday. 1t
is probable that other vessels of the fleet
will do the same thing tomorrow.
The fleet will leave Port of Spain for
Rio de Janeiro, its next stopping place.
next Sunday morning. The coaling Will
be finished by this evening.
A fresh batch of about 1000 liberty men
came ashore shortly after noon today and
are driving or walking about the town,
or have gone to the races. A large num-
Der of officers also came ashore for the
race NEE ting, of which this is the second
day. Dances were given by several
private citizens last night in honor of
the visiting officers.
Coaling Record.
The collier Hannibal left here today for
Pensacola, whence she will tow the gum
boat Machias to New York. The collier
Leonidas left here today for Hampton
roads. Both vessels carry mail. The
Virginia and Vermont We'd today in
friendly rivalry to see which could get
the most coal on board in the shortest
time. The Virginia won and retains the
record gained previously. Two sailors
from the Ohio while returning on board
today fell overheard from the wharf.
Tney were rescued by the captain of an
intercolonial trader. and were none the
worse for ne accident.
Crowds at the Race Track.
The captains of the American battle
ships and their STATS were entertained
at luncheon yesterday by Sir Henry
Moore Jackson, the Governor of Trinidad,
and later were the guests of the governor
at the horse races. The weather was
ideal and the race course was thronged
with officers and men of the feet together
with a holiday crowd from the city.
The American horses carried off the
the races. and the visitors gave them
selves over to applauding these victories
in an appropriate manner.
Owing to the fact that the ships will
have finished coaling by noon today.
thousands of the pluejackets will be given
shore leave. Most of them undoubtedly
will find their way to the race track,
where the contests have been more than
ordinarily exciting.
The tender Yankton of the auxiliary
division, having taken on supplies, will
leave for Rio Janeiro today in advance Of
the fleet. The collier Marcellus, which
arrived here December IS from League
Island navy yard, will start on her re-
turn trip tomorrow.
Plans for the Fleet.
RIO JANEIRO, December 27.-The
American fleet of battleships is expected
here January II, and the first day or two
of the sojourn will be given over to Off
cial visits. 1t is probable that Admiral
Evans and the higher fleet officers will
visit the town of Petropolis, where the
diplomatic corps resides. on january Ii,
in order to pay visit to the American
ambassador. Irving B. Dudley. Rear
Sperry will probably accept the hospital
ity of the American ambassador during
part of their stay here, and he will give
banquet in their honor, at which the
feet captains also will be present The
officials Of the National Naval Club have
arranged for an excursion to Mount Cor
covado.
Big Torpedo Fleet.
NEWPORT. r. l.. December 27-The
mobilization Of the largest fleet of torpedo
boats. torpedo boat destroyers and sub
marine torpedo boats in the history of
the American navy will take place in
Narragansett bay in the spring and sum-
mer of 1908, according to information
gained here today.
The fleet will be in command of Com.
mander Charles G. Marsh. who will have
under his direction about fifty torpedo
boats and torpedo boat destroyers, and
the first and second flotillas of subma-
rines. The little vessels will go through