The Washington herald., 1907-12-17

Fort Monroe, Va, Dec. I6.-Thc
great feet sailed to-day-the battle
fleet" as the President of the
United States has styled It. It
made no fuss and feathers of the
business Of getting away.
There were ceremonials rendered
necessary by the presence Of the
President TO see its departure, but
these were completed in short or
der, and then the grim battle ships,
sixteen Of them, all Of modern type
and suggestive Of strength and
power, steamed their way out to
sea, and were started on the long
voyage to the Pacific.
No such aggregation Of fighting
craft ever left an American port
before. Thirteen thousand officers
and men are aboard the sixteen
vessels, whose tonnage makes a
startling total, and whose guns
number more than 800.
The circumstances under which
( the voyage was determined, the
mystery surrounding the ultimate
purpose Of the feet, the widespread
comment aroused at home and
abroad over this notable expedition,
and the picturesque features con-
nected with It's departure, all served
TO make to-day's events a historical
| occasion.
Sailing Was Impressive.
The sailing was not spectacular. howe
ever. or. rather. its spectacular features
were lost sight OF in The simple impress
siveness OF the closing scene. To sea
those gigantic vessels moving away from
shore, slowly and majestically, preserving
an alignment that made the land folk
marvel, was something never 70 forget.
Four miles Of beautiful ships. their hulls
Of purest white. gIided Seaward as IF it
were just part OF the days work and not
worth bothering about II was this calm.
business-like way of doing things thae
made it impressive
/ the MayAower that the sight OF the feet
caused him TO be prouder than ever of
our navy. Other people were saying the
same thing. There was a patriotic spirit
in the air that caught its inspiration from
( those sixteen giants Of the sea as they
sailed of in calm majesty.
weather Was Impressive.
/ But the weather itself was an inspira-
ton. Il was one Of those rare days
which sets the blood tingling through the
veins such a day as makes any normal
man want to quit his allotted task and
get out in the country or on the water.
and give thanks that he lives in pretty
fine old world. II was a day to forget
ones troubles and wonder how it was
that everybody down here felt depressed
and gloomy last night in the constant
suggestion TO the morrows parting.
Why. even the women. those mothers.
wives. and sweethearts. who Wet their
pillows with salt tears after the good-bys
were said. couldn't resist smiling when
they felt the crisp breeze blow against
their cheeks and looked up at the cloud
less sky
OF course. il was different after the
feet actually had gone. There were no
more gay scenes in the lobby OF the
Chamberlin. no launches footing their
shriu whistles at the wharf. no pushing.
chattering crowd, no ships in the broad
roadste- where the pride OF Uncle
Sa-i s navy was lying this morning. no
excitement. nothing but a few hundred
women busily making inquiries about de-
/ parting steamers and trains and trying
to hide their emotions under cover OF in
tense activity
The Early Morning.
/ When the sun came up this morning.
/ and people who Intended 20 see the feet
depart rubbed Jheir sleepy eyes. il was
apparent that the weather was going 10
behave itself. Il was chilly. and the
north breeze blew with calm determine
ton. but the sun was bright and warm.
and nowhere in the SKY was there 50
much as the neeciest little cloud
/ Out on the water things were choppy:
not rough enough, however. to make the
smallest OF the battle ships toss at her
moorings. It was to be a glorious day,
and everybody knew il.
/ The last Of the departing officers who
! had spent the night ashore were taken
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