The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-01-13
ARRIVES AT RIO.
American Battleship Fleet An
chOrs in the Harb0r
Of the Brazilian Capital 4,6OO
Miles Away.
ROYALTY WELCOMED.
Voyage From Trinidad was
Made Without Accident.
Boarded by Old Neptune on
Crossing the Equator.

HlO Janelros Jan. 1o.-1he AlAAoi4
can fleet of 16 battleships entered the
port of Rio Janeiro at 3 O'Clock SUN
day afternoon after passage from
Port of Spain, Trinidad, more than
5000 miles, unmarried by serious acct
dent, replete with interesting incidents
and ending with a royal welcome from
the thousands that had gathered to
greet the visitors.
The fleet weighed anchor at
o'clock on the afternoon of Decem-
Der 20 at Port of Spain and exactly at
i o'clock Sunday the vessels were
swinging at their anchors in this beau
tiful harbor.
All of the battleships are here. but
the supply ships Culgoa and Glacier
are still at sea, not having been able
to keep along with the others. The
fleet has now covered about 4,600
miles, about a third of the distance
of the voyage to San Francisco. Word
that the feet had passed Cape Fr1o,
about AS miles out, was received at
$50 O'Clock and Immediately scores
of tugs and other small craft crowded
with spectators set out to meet
the visitors and accompany them to the
anchorage. Outlined against the hori-
zon- the great battleships, stretched out
in one long line, came slowly through
the passage into the bay.
As soon as the anchorage was made
the Brazilian minister of marine, Ad-
miral AIencar; the captain of the
port, the American consul, G. E. An
derson; the commandments of naval
divisions and the civic authorities went
on board the Connecticut and ex-
tended a hearty welcome to REAR Al
miraI Evans, his officers and men.
All the way down from Port of
Spain the voyage was an enjoyable
one, and all on board the ships were
well and seemingly happy. To some
extent the progress OF the fleet was
hampered by the strong currents and
the swell, poor coal and minor de-
rangements of the auxiliary ma
chinery of several of the ships. Until
Friday the 10th a uniform speed OF
ten knots was maintained. The speed
was then increased to IL knots and
finally to twelve. All through the voy-
age they encountered pleasant
weather and at no time was the heat
excessive even while crossing the
equator The first land sighted from
the time of leaving port OF Spain was
off Pernambuco on the morning OF the
Sth at a. distance of twenty miles. The
next land to be sighted was Cape FRO
Sunday morning. From abreast OF
Pernambuco there were gentle various
breezes with a smooth sea and long
swell from the southwark. With a
cessfuIIy completed the longest single
passage they have yet made, $500
miles, in which their capacity was well
tested.
At midnight on the oth the feet
crossed the equator and Father Nep-
tune visited the ships. On the flag
ship Connecticut Neptune, surrounded
by his various assistants and satellites
addressed a warm welcome to the
admiral in command. Never before
had so many recruits crossed the line
at one time, numbering fully 80 pei
cent of the crews, this great number
of green hands gave Father Neptune
and his followers an unusual oppor.
tunity to put them through the initia
tion with spirit Neptune's flag hung
at the yard arms during the cere
monies. There was the usual lather
ing and shaving by the BARRIERS, thu
ducking in the tanks, which was ad
ministered by the bears. On Friday {
false alarm of man overheard was sen
out from the Missouri, which brough
the fleet to a quick stop and boat
were lowered. 1t was an excellen
drill and we'll performed.
The newspapers here publish
special editions describing the splen
did welcome extended to the Ameri
cans Several of the papers will issu
daily editions in English during tn
stay of the fleet and have made ar
rangements to secure extensive dis
patches from the United states so tn
men may have the news of their owl
country.
The fleet will sail for Punta Arenas
straits of Magellan January p.