The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1908-01-13
EVANS FLEET IS
At BRAZILIAN
CAPITAL
Rio Opens Wide Its Gates to
BattIeships
MET BY FATHER neptune
Cruisers and Flotilla of Small Craft
Welcome Our Tars at Sea or
South Americas Great Port.

RIO JANEIRO. Jan. 13.-The Amer.
lean feet of sixteen battleships entered
the port Of Rio Janeiro at 3 o'clock
yesterday afternoon, after a passage
frem Port Of Spain, Trinidad, more
than 5000 miles, unmarried by serious
accident, with all well on board and
ending with royal welcome from the
thousands of Brazilians that had gath
cred to greet the visitors.
The feet weighed anchor on Dec. 20
at Port Of Spain, and after fifteen
days stsaming the huge war vessels
are swinging at their anchor in this
beautiful harDor. All of the battleships
came in together, making a beautiful
marine picture. But the supply ships
Culgoa and Glacier are still at sea, not
having been able to keep up. The
feet has now covered about 1900
miles, about third Of the distance of
the voyage to San Francisco.
At midnight on the 9th of January
the feet crossed the equator. and Fa-
ther Neptune visited the ships. On
the flagship Connecticut, Neptune, sur
rounded by his various assistants and
satellites, addressed a warm welcome
to the admiral in command Never be-
fore had SO many recruits crossed the
line at one time, numbering fully 30
per cent of the crews. This great
number Of green hands gave Father
Neptune and his followers an unusual
opportunity to put them through the
initiation with inimitable spirit. Nep-
tunes Gag hung at the yardarms dur
ing the ceremonies.
All the newspaper correspondents on
the vessels paid the footing with the
older officers and number of mid
shipmen who took the initiation
There was the usual lathering and
shaving by the BARRIERS and the duck.
ing In the tanks which was admins
tered by Neptune's followers, the Ted.
dy bears
Early In the morning the crowds be,
gan to gather in the streets of Rio
Janeire, and long before the signal
flags were hoisted announcing the APP.
proach of the American ships of wal
thousands of curious spectators had
taken up the points Of vantage on pub
lie buildings and the elevated quays
When the fleet steamed into the harboI
under the splendid mountains that
framed the bay, beautiful in the trop
ical sun, it was spectacle incompara
BILE to the eye. The roadstead lay like
glittering mirror beneath.
When word that the fleet had passed
Cape Frio, about ferty-fve miles out
was received, Immediately scores OF
tugs and other small craft, crowded
with spectators, set out to meet the
visitors and accompanied them to the
anchorage.
Outlined against the horizon, the
great battleships, stretched out in one
long line, came slowly through the
passage into the bay. The Connecticut
Rear Admiral Evans flagship, was IL
the lead, with the Brazilian cruisers
dressed In gala attire, en- either side
Passing the fortresses, the Connection
1red salute Of twenty lone guns
which was responded to by the Bra
silian warships, the German cruiser
Bremen and the shore batteries. TIL,
yards and fighting tops were manned
and cheers upon cheers were given fol
the splendid flagship and her siste
ships, their commanders and crews.
A. soon as the anchorage was made
Ne Brazilian minister Of marine, Ad
nfral Alencar, the captain of the port
the American consul, G. e. Anderson
the commandments Of naval divisions
and the civic authorities went oil
board the Connecticut and extended
hearty welcome to Rear Admiral Ev
ans, his officers and men. Hundred
Of launches, tugs and small boats cir
eled about the battleships until lon,
after the sun had gone down. Not les
than $4,000 to 10000 persons wer
aboard these boats, and more than 80
900 others were gathered on shore t
celebrate the coming Of the feet. Las
night the city was beautifully illuml
mated, and today is gala celebration
IN homer Of the visitors.
The battieship feet will remain her
for the Asxt ten days, where officer
anc men will be deliberately entertain
ID beth By the government and tn
municipality and by organizations .
citizens. From today until the lot
every day will bring some function 4
homer of the visitors.
DISPATCHES from Pernambuco tell Q