New-York tribune., 1907-12-16
THE PRESIDENT SAILS.
OFF FOR HAMPTON ROADS.
Distinguished Company LeaUes Cap
staI to See Fleet Sail.

Washington Dec 15-President Roosevelt. ac-
companled by Mrs Roosevelt and a distin-
guished company of guests. sailed on the naval
yacht Mayfower from the Washington Navy
Yard at 3:O7 o'clock to-day for Hampton Roads.
The President in his capacity as commander-in-
chief of the United States Navy. will tomorrow
give the word of command which will send the
Atlantic battIeshp fleet it's cruise to the Pa
cific AS the ships pass out to sea, their ,ast
farewell will he from the President. On the
deck of the Mayfower he will lead the ships
through the Virginia Capes. then give way to
the flagship Connecticut the double line of six
teen ironcldds sets its course to the southwark.
Thus will begin what the President has planned
as the supreme test of the American navy. The
announced destination of the feet is San Fran
cisco Bay. but when and where the cruise will
ultimately end seems as yet an unmatured plan
for the future.
The departing scene from the Washington
Navy Yard was typical of the punctiliousness
of naval etiquette. The Mayfower was spick
and span and spotless in white; the jackies. in
their winter garb of blue. lined the rail. and the
cherries day seemed to lend itself to an ex-
preston of their feelings at being left out Of the
big trip. Marines patrolled the clean swept pier
and kept far back from the gangplank the hum
dred and more persons who had come to see the
President depart.
were helped over the ships side half an hour be
fore the arrival of the President. who two
minutes late A few minutes following the ar
rival of the Secretary the bOatswains whistle
sounded the honcrS to the Assistant Secretary
OF the Navy and Mrs Newberry, who are guests
| of the President on the trip. Then followed
Rear Admiral and Mrs. BrOwnson and Com
mander and Mrs. Sims. In a White House car
riace preceding the President came Miss Ethel
4 POhtOsop and
| Miss Hagner Rear Admiral and Mrs. Cowles
rode with the President and Mrs. Roosevelt AS
the President stepped aboard the flag OF the
| commander in chief was broken out at the main
| yard the hawsers were slipped and the May
! flower was under way in just five minutes me
President as he drove on the wharf acknoWi-
edged the greetings of the crowd, and as tne
, yacht began to move he stood aft on the main
deck and raised his hat While three cheerS Wefe
| given from the wharf.
The Mayhower is expected to clear the bad
nIaces in the Potomac before dark. when more
sneed will be made, and Hampton Roads
reached by O'Clock in the morning. AT that
| hour a salute by the entire fleet VIII be given
| and the ceremonies of the departure begun
| These include a reception by the President on
| the Mayfower of the commanding officers OF
ships OF the fleet. and the departing review The
President will not leave the Maynower during
n,
on his return early on Tuesday morning
Another and somewhat nvelier party de-
parted from the navy yard earlier in the day.
being composed of members of the Naval COM
mittees of the Senate and House of Representa-
| tives. who through the courtesy of Assistant
| Secretary Newberry were provided with the
United States ship Dolphin for the trip TO the
scene of the fleets departure The Dolphin got
under way shortly after IL o'clock Among
those on board Chairman Foss of the
House Naval Committee. Senator McEnery. of
louisiana: Representatives Cousin. of Iowa;
Loud of Michigan: Dawson. of Iowa; Thomas,
of Ohio: Roberts, of Massachusetts,: Bates, OF
PENNSYLVANIA; Butler. of Pennsylvania: Padgett.
of Tennessee W. W. Kitchin, of North Carolina.
and Gregg. of Texas.
The Dolphin will reach her anchorage at
Hampton Roads shortly in advance of the May
flower.