The Washington herald., 1908-03-29

4
and fourth followed in the same way.
Sometimes the fog was so thick that on
the Louisiana. which was on the left
flank Of the FIRST line, we couldn't see our
nearest neighbor, the Vermont The
Connecticut. of 20 the right, would toot
her letter on her whistle. the Kansas
would toot hers at once, and then the
Vermont would sound hers. followed by
the Louisiana. The steering ~as done by
compass almost entirely. Occasionally we
would find the Vermont inching over TO
US, and she would loom up out Of the fog
quite near, but her whistle would say;
Give me 4 little more room, please;
the Kansas is crowding me over. When
she goes back toward the flagship. or the
hagship eases of bit, I'll go back. Just
little room. please!"
First sight of Chilean Coast.
Daybreak on the morning Of the 18th
showed a lowering sky. Just before 9
O'Clock the Chilean coast could be made
out, and then the fleet made cne or two
turns and twists. apparently to Kill a
little time. Admiral Simpson took his
place at The head OF the column which
had been formed and his three torpedo
boats took up positions on our right flank.
the side nearest TO the city in the harbOr.
so as 10 protect the line from any intru-
zion. Just before o'clock we could make
out the people on the high hills south Of
Angeles Point. fttingly named for a great
cemetery sloped up the hillside. The
place was black with spectators. around
the point We could see the puffs Of a sa-
Lutte given probably by one OF the forts
or ships to note the arrival Of President
Montt Then we came close 10 Angeles
Point The beach was thronged There
were tents where jimcra ks were being
sold and double-decker tram cars were
loaded 10 the limit. It seemed as II all
Valparaiso had come out TO that place.
The glasses were turned upon Fort Val
diva, just beyond Point Angeles. It is a
naval station
Novel Sign OF welcome.
Suddenly a midshipman discovered that
there was a sign in English on one Of it's
terraces. It read:
''Welcomet'
That's mighty nice to whitewash a lot
officer on the bridge.
Three minutes later a young ohicer
sang out:
Captain, that sign isn't made Of stones.
It'= made OF men,"
A dozen glasses were focused upon the
sign at once. Sure enough. stretched
upon the terrace there lay a human sign
made up Of sailors or naval cadets in
white. II took three mems length 10
make the height OF a single letter. Two
men were required for the top and the
bottom Of the letter o. One man was
sufficient each for the curved upper and
lower parts OF the letter. These men
must not have been entirely comfortable
for they lay there fully an hour, but the
sign was as immobile as II il were made
OF stone. That compliment touched the
kindly feeling Of every one on the ships
II made a sensation No one had ever
seen anything Ike that. There was no
way Of answering il in kind. as you can
in saluting; you could only look at il IN
dumb aInazement and feel grateful
All ships Salute Together.
Around Point Angeles the Connecticut
swept slowly and majestically. She got
we'll inside the harbor and was almost
abeam of Duprat Point when a set Of
flags fiuttered 10 the signal yards. They
said:
Prepare 10 saIutel'
The flags hung there until all the an
swering pennants We're shown. and then
they wavered an instant as they began TO
fall and at once the sixteen battle ships
roared out a salvO such as no one in
Chile had ever heard before. The effect
OF the thunder was electric The wind.
fortunately. blew the smoke away from
the ships.N People on the shore We're seen
% jump and run. All along the shore
line below Fort Naldivia they began 10
race back toward the city and harbor by
the thousands. II was literally a stam-
pede. Great clouds OF dust ingulfed them
and partly hid them from view II made
those on the ships laugh.
The town has gone out too far and
now has 10 run back" they said
In less than two minutes after the feet
had fired its salute Fort Valdivia re-
sponded with twenty-one guns. Then
three or four miles across the harbor. at
the other entrance. puffs OF smoke could
be seen. showing that an army fort was
giving its greeting and saying:
Glad 10 see you.'