Washington State journal. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1907-1911, 1907-12-19
FLEET
STARTS
FROM ATLANTIC TO THE
PACIFIC OCEAN.
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT GAVE
THE WORD OF COMMAND
TO START.

Washington, Dec. 16.-President
Roosevelt, accompanied by Mrs. Roose-
welt and distinguished company of
guests, sailed on the naval yacht May
flower from the Washington navy yard
at 3:O7 o'clock Sunday for Hampton
Roads. The president in his capacity
as commander in chief of the United
States navy gave the word of COM
mand which sent the Atlantic battle
ship fleet on its cruise to the Pacific.
AS the ships passed out to sea their
last farewell was from the president
On the deck of the Mayfower he lead
the ships through the Virginia capes
then gave way to the flagship Con-
necticut as the double line of 16 iron
clads set their course to the south
ward.
Thus began what the president has
planned as the supreme test of the
American navy. The announced des-
unation of the feet Is San Francisco
bay. but when and where the cruise
will ultimately end seems as yet an un-
matured plan for the future.
Sailed at 10 O'Clock.
4 Old Point Comfort, Va, Dec 10
The Pacific-bound Atlantic feet left
Monday morning on its journey
through the straits of Magellan en-
route, as the official order reads. for
the west coast of the United States"
Rear Admiral Evans, commander in
chief Of the fleet, the most notable Of
American peace expeditions, boarded
the Mayflower and paid his respects to
the president and was Immediately fol-
lowed by the other flag and command
ing officers of the fleet.
The reception and the journeys of
the admirals and captains to and from
the Mayfower lasted more than an
hour. and half hour more was con-
sumed in lifting anchor and getting
the ships in position for the start,
which was made about 10 o'clock. Two
hours later the first of the long line of
vessels cleared the Virginia capes and
turned her course to the southwark.
Tho review Of the passing feet by the
president took place near Thimble
shoal lighthouse. 10 miles down the
bay.
Saturday night the Is smoking bat
tleships were bathed In moonlight, the
view down the long twin lines of the
feet being most impressive.
The enlisted force Of each ship, num-
beripg nearly a thousand men to the
company. was lined up at quarters to
listen to the reading OF the articles of
war.
The men seemed deeply impressed.
as they were also with more personal
words which came in orders from Ad-
miral Evans. the commander In chief,
and from the rear admirals on board
the three divisional fiagships. Every
man was told what his duty was to his
country, to his flag and to his superior
officers. They were cautioned to up
hold the dignity of their uniform when
going ashore at South American ports
and always conduct themselves In an
orderly and sober manner. After the
articles of war had been read the chap
lains OF the several ships read from
the Bible at divine worship.
I'VE could not take on another
pound Of provisions" said one officer,
unless We followed the very bad ex-
ample of the Russians. who were
caught by the Japanese with eight.
inch gun turrets stored with hams and
powder chambers filed with caviare."
Several scouting parties we're ashore
looking for pines to be used as Christ
mas trees. Nearly all were successful,
an dthe little pines will be carefully
slowed away until after Trinidad Is
reached on Christmas eve.
Although bound for an extended tour
of duty in the Pacific ocean the fleet
still retains its title of the United
States Atlantic feet" under which
designation the last sailing orders
have been issued
Latet Report.
Old Point Comfort. Va, Dec. 16.--
Sixteen hard-hitting, steel.bolted Amer
lean battleships, bristling and burly of
girth, but sparkling white in the i'm.
maculate dressings Of peace. started
away today under the dazzling sun Of
q cloudless winter sky on their famous
twin-sea expedition Of $4,000 miles,
along foreign shores and changing
climes, to the west coast Of the United
States. aa4e ..r..- e.,.'aea
There was not'a ship in the line old
enough to have smelled the powder or
taken. the shot Of Manila or Santiago
stories written scarcely 10 years ago
in the history Of nations. All were
modern Of design, examples Of the ag-
gressive sea-going navy, which the
president has declared to be 30 essen
tial to the epace Of the country. e..
rs Implement Works start. 81