The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-12-17
President, Reviewing the.
Ships, Says People
Should Feel Proud.
RECEIVE OFFICERS
ON M4AYFLO DIVER
Admiral Evans and Others Given
Cordial Greetings Scene of
Beauty as the Big Wa1
Dogs Move Gracefully
Out of Hampton
Roads. J,
ny n. w. SIMPSON, JR.
staff Writer. a

ny II. w. SIMPSON, JR.
Staff Writer.
FORT MONROE. VA. December is.-
President Roosevelt sent the battle
fleet on Its long voyage to the Pacific
Coast to-day. Led by the flagship
Connecticut. which followed the path
Tightly churned by the Mayaower,
speeding rapidly ahead, the fifteen dogs
of war trailed In behind single filc,
their bands playing patriotic airs, but
without bringing an answering cheer
from the shore. Dropping into line
Ike well.drilied soldiers. the slips
steered straight to Thimble Light,
turned gracefully toward Cape Henry
70 receive the farewell greeting OF the
ffesident, and wandered out to sea 1t
was the most imposing naval spectacle
| that ever thrilled the hearts of thoss
who watched ssas 55.t ~ 49,
On the bridge of hissyacht, anchored
at the all OF the Horseshoe, President
Roosevelts face beaned as he saw the
column approach. Coming fun abreast.
the Connecticut fired salute OF twen-
ty-one tuns. Hands. handkerchiefs and
mats waved godspeed from the deck
nearby. sef>-s-
And then with the echo of:s,h. a.
ships guns stiIl ringing In the az
ti tne Kansas fred as she took the posi-
tion vacated by the leader, the strains
OF The Star Spangled Banner, drfft.
ing. out to score of excursion craft
.nat surged and swung around. Until
| .he Kentucky. bringing up the rear.
had reached and passed the yacht tn
ceremony was the same. A moment
later the Mayflower turned about. 81.
steamed toward the bay, receiving
parting salute from gunboat that
had escorted iler In. 1T was up to
Evans now.
Mighty Roar From the Gnns.
i ! At see o'clock this morning tie
I9Connecticut Agnailed. From six
teen battleshtps there came at once a
roar. for sixteen times twenty-one
shots We're fired as fast as caps could
strike. It shook the waters and frpn
foundations q handful of rods away.
Moving rapidly down by Fortress Mon
roe the guns there doomed another
| greeting, answered by the NIayflowar
s7she dipped her flag. Then she curved
into toward the centre OF tho fleet
and anchored. The sunlight gltstened
on the waters of the Roads, over which
whitecaps and chilled the waiting
throng. There was another signal. aud
the admiral, the flag and line ofiicers
entered launches and hurried to the
Presidents boat.
Flagship Showed the Way.
No other move was made until they
returned to their respective ships, From
the mast of every member OF the fleet
holiday colors hoated proudly. but at
a given moment they all came down.
Through the maze OF rigging the May
flower could be seen as she headed to-
ward the capes. Just as a parting shot
came from the fort the Connecticut
swung on her anchor at the bow, great
volumes of smoke Issuing from her
tunnels. The flag at her stern was
lowered, but another was hauled
quickly to her mast. She moved slow
lily at first. Then she set the pace anG
showed the way. Within thirty min.
utes the fleet was under steam. Be-
heats and tugs hurried out to plant
themselves for the review. Few saw
1.-THE auxiliary squadron, as il did not
follow the same course.
Long before the President arrived the
shore leave officers Went aboard. Every
steamboat and car helped to swell the
crowd that came here to-day. and those
on the lower wharf saw two Japanese
sent away from the Connecticut, and
ono weeping sailor who was late ana
couldn't go. But nobody worried. The
morning was bitter cold Men and
women filled every foot of space on
the wharf. crowded hotel promenadcs
land windows. and stood fifteen deep
to the other side of the fort. In ALL
Hampton, Old Point and every beach
and the cape. Tho finest point of want
age, however, was the fort itself, for
the scene from there was grander thar \
far out In the roads.
Greeted by the President.
The whole ceremony from the time
the Maytower hove into sight until
the Kentucky was lost to view from
here. lasted exactly four hours.
The sailing OF the fleet was "a pre-
steamed into the centre Of the ap-
ohored fleet. President Roosevelt
warmly greeted the four rear admirais
and the sixteen commanding o Ulcers OF A
the fleet as they climbed up the star
board gangway OF the yacht. He had
a word OF confidence and weli-wishing
for all. but made no formal address.
dressed at ancho ~ and waiting the
word to go put the President In rave
good spirits. While the Alayflowar
was coming into position and waltlns
for the reception to begin. the Presi-
dent paced rapidly up and down ths
decks. anxious to obtain a view Of the
great double squa dron from every poz-
sible vantage point. Did you ever
see such a fleet? And such day.
Isn't 1t magnit,cent? goughtn't we all
feel prouds' exclaimed the President.
In the midst OF the reception to tho
higher officers he sent for the coxswair
| OF the Loulsianas launch, ana through,
him dispatched a special message OF 4
greeting TO that ships crew. Wher
the surprised and embarrassed cox
swain, Seaman William Chandler. had
been presented to Mrs, Roosevelt. as
we'll as to the President, and had
|again clambeped into his laupch, the
!. esidept said to those abapts him;
Itch SOU our enlisted men are syeEy-
\ 4hi Il - & nshav ara r1erfectlySY bully and "