The semi-weekly messenger., 1907-12-17

Will Take Place Today.
Norfolk, Va, Dec. 14.-Proudly
and safely the great American feet
at anchor in Hampton Roads wealth
cred the fierce northeast gale that
swept over this section early this
morning the wind reaching Il
velocity of fifty miles an hour and
accompanied by binding stinging
rain.
The big dogs of war tugged at
their great anchors and those who
cast an eye down the line this morn
ing quickly detected that a number
of ships had dragged their anchors
and succeeded in changing their po-
sitions, all the way from five to ten
yards.
Throughout the morning the Roads
were beaten by angry seas and the
choppy conditions of the surface
made navigation by smaller craft dan
gerous and activities had to be sus-
pended throughout the forenoon.
Fort Monroe, Va. Dec. IA day
of changing storm. fog and sunshine
found the Pacific bound Atlantic
fleet within SO hours of sailing time
snugly at anchor N roadsteac await
ing the coming of the president on
Monday morning to say his farewell
adieu as ommander-in-chief Of the
American navy.
The treacherous weather interfer-
ed to a great extent with the social
program outlined for the day and
necessitated an abandonment of the
reception and dance which was to
have been held on the canOpied quaf
ter deck of the flagship Connecticut
tonight. This was to have been the
most picturesque and unique enter
tainment of the navy's farewell week
and it's cancellation was a source Of
much disappointment.
Rear Admiral Robley D. Evans,
commander of the fleet, was ashore
much of the day, having recovered
from the slight indisposition he suf-
fered during the early part of the
week He declared that the sixteen
ships were ready to weigh anchor at
any time.
In an interview with the Associat-
ed Press he said:
"You ask me on the eve of the
departure of the fleet to give you
some words to lay before the people
of the United States. l therefore ask
you to convey to the people the sim
cere thanks and hearty appreciation
of the officers and men of the fleet
for the great interest which the
country at large is taking in our
movements. We feel the response
bility which the people have laid
upon us by their interest of past
years of creating and maintaining
this splendid fleet and in the contin-
uation of that interest which now
fits us out complete i'll every particu-
lar and sends us out on this great
practice cruise to visit our friends
and supporters on the Pacific coast
of our country I am sure that ev-
cry officer and man in the fleet will
feel it not only duty but a pleasure
to repay the people for their inter
est by absolute fidelity to the trust
imposed upon him in small things as
we'll as in large.
Il hope that when we arrive at
our destination the people will have
for us welcome as warm as is the
God speed. which they give us on
our departure and that should our
commander-in-chief then decide to
send us to other hemisphere the same
that he fleet might eventually circle
interest will follow there in the fu-
ture as it has always in the past"
1t has been repeatedly rumored
that the fleet might circle the globe.
This afternoon the football team
from Kansas won the championship
of the fleet by defeating the Yer
mont eleven. The score was four
to two, Kansas getting the field goal
and Vermont a safety in the first
half.
The game was played on a rain
soaked turf Commissioned officers,
veterans of Annapolis teams, played
with the enlisted men on both elevens
Others officers led the cheering from
the blue jackets and marines of the
opposing ships. Bands, goat mascots,
1uttering flags, tin horns and cheer
ing, with subsequent parades by vic
tors and vamquished, made the after
noon gay.
Admiral Evans was at the hotel
Chamberlin when the sailors return
ed from the game They stopped
and cheered him and then the YER
mont sailors cheered the champions
of the Kansas and were in turn
cheered by the victors.
They all boarded the ships tonight
happy and ready for all the hard