The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1908-07-07
WESTWARD HO! GOES
BIG ATLANTIC FLEET
Magnificent Armada of Float
ing Fortresses Starts on
Long Voyage.


splendid picture of Americas fighting
strength on the sea was presented to-
day when the sixteen battleships Of
the Atlantic fleet, led by the mag
nifcent Connecticut with Rear Ad.
miral Charles S. Sperry on the bridge,
headed out of the Golden Gate and
bathed their bows in the blue Pacific.
In imposing array they passed beyond
the headlands, out of the view of the
thousands OF cheering watchers on
shore and started fairly on the long
voyage through five seas from San
Francisco to Hampton Roads-aI
striking demonstration of the power
and efficiency of the United States
navy.
Two Squadrons.
Sixteen battleships were in the
line, divided into four divisions, and
two squadrons. In the first division
OF the first squadron were the flag
ship OF Rear Admiral Sperry, the
Connecticut, and her sister ships, the
Kansas, Minnesota and Vermont. This
division. as we'll as the entire fleet is
under the immediate command of
Rear Admiral Sperry. The second
division of the first squadron is COM
manded by Acting Rear Admiral
Richard Wainwright and consists of
the flagship Georgia and her sister
ships, the Nebraska, New Jersey and
Rhode Island. Rear Admiral Will
liam Fl. Emery commands the second
squadron and third division, and Isl
aboard of the flagship Louisiana. The
Virginia, Ohio and Missouri also are
in this division. The fourth division,
under the command of Acting Rear
Admiral Seat6n Schroeder, is made
up of the flagship Wisconsin and the
Illinois, Kersage and Kentucky. The
Nebraska and Wisconsin, formerly of
the Pacific fleet. have taken the
places of the Maine and Alabama Of
the Atlantic fleet which are enroute
to Hampton Roads as special SER
vice squadron.
AuXiIiaries Ahead.
The fleet auxiliaries preceded the
battleships by a week, and are now
nearing Honolulu, where they will
unload supplies and sail away for New
Zealand before the arrival of the
fleet at Honolulu. These auxiliaries
are the Panther, repair ship; Glacier,
refrigerator supply ship; Culgea, sup
ply ship; Ajax, collier; Relief, hos
pital ship, and Yankton, tender and
despatch boat.
The battleships which sailed today
on the longest voyage ever undertak-
en- by such a powerful feet during
which they will completely encircle
the world, from Hampton Roads to
Hampton Roads, have total tonnage
of 1S6,100 tons. The feet Isl
capable of steaming on an aver
age of ten knots an hour under
any sea conditions. and is following
an itinerary which will bring the
ships to Manila on October /. 1908.
The complete route from Manila toI
Hampton Roads has not yet been
definitely announced, but 1t is expect
| GU uIdl Tue meet VIII dlIlNS al us ui-
innate destination during the latter
part of February, 1909, when 1t will
be Joined at Hampton Roads by most
of the other ships Of the American
navy then on the Atlantic Coast, and
this great fleet OF war vessels-great-
er even than that which gathered inI
San Francisco Bay on the morning of
May 6, and greater than the one that
assembled at Hampton Roads Decem-
Der 16, when the present record
breaking voyage began and where IT.
will again be reviewed by President
Roosevelt, just prior to his going out
OF Office.
Reception Arranged.
The fleet is scheduled to arrive at
Honolulu July 16. Residents of
that remote possession of the United
States have prepared magnificent
and fitting reception to the officers
and men, which will be of the nature
of reception and helated Fourth
of July celebration combined. 1t.
will be theifirst special entertainment
of the fighting men since Puget Sound
cities delighted to do them honor, and
preparations have been making for
months at Honolulu that no pleasing
feature shall be lacking.
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