The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-01-13
Officers and Men of the Six
teen Vessels of Peace Fleet
Taste of BraZlI's Bounteous
Hospitality.
A FORTNIGHT TO HOUR,
FROM PORT OF SPAIN.
One-third of the Cruise to San
Francisco Is Now Over
Many Sailors Cross the Line
For the First Time.

Rio Janeiro, Jan. 13.-The American
fleet of 16 battleships entered the port
of Rio Janeiro at 3 O'Clock yesterday
afternoon after a passage from Port of
Spain, Trinidad more than 5000 miles,
unmarried by serious accident repete
with interesting incidents and ending
with a royal welcome from the thouS-
snds that gathered to greet the Wis
itors.
The fleet weighed anchor at 4
O'Clock on the afternoon of December
20 at Port of Spain, and exactly at +
O'Clock yesterday the vessels were
swimming at their anchor in this beau
tiful harbor.
All of the battle ships are here. but
the supply ships, Culgoa and Glacier
are still at sea, not having been able
10 keep along with the others. The
fleet has now covered approximately
1900 miles, about one third the dis
lance of the voyage to San Francisco
Bay.
Early III the inc tIOWuS DS-
gan to gather in the streets of Rio ia
metro, and long before the signal flags
We're hoisted announcing the approach
of the American ships of war. thous-
Bnds of curious spectators had taken
up the points of vantage on public
buildings and the elevated quavs.
When the fleet steamed into the har-
tajn hot
framed the beautiful bay in the trop-
zeal sun, it was spectacle incompar-
able to the eye. The roadstead lay
like a glittering mirror beneath Word
that the fleet had passed Cape Frio,
about - milesout, was received at $50
O'Clock. and Immediately scores of tugs
and other small craft crowded with
spectators. set out to meet the vessels
and accompany them to the anchor
age.
Steamed Slowly Up the Bay.
Outlined against the horizon the
great battleships stretched out in one
long line, came slowly through the
passage into the bay. The Connecti-
cut, Rear Admiral Evanss flagship
was in the lead, with the Brazilian
cruisers dressed in gala attire. OF
either side. Passing the fortress the
Connecticut fired a salute of II guns
which was responded to by the Brazil
ian warships, the German cruiser Bre
men and the shore guns. The yards
and fighting tops were manned, anC
cheers upon cheers were given for the
splendid passage of the flagship anC
her sister ships.
AS soon as the anchorage was made
the Brazilian minister of marine, AID
miral Alencor, the captain of the port
the American Consul. G.. L. Anderson
the commandments of naval divisions
and the civic authorities went on boart
the Connecticut and gave a hearty wei
come to Admiral Evans
Hundreds OF launches, tugs ant
small boats circled about the battl
ships until long after the sun had gon
down. Not less than 10000 to 20.0Ot
persons were aboard these boats. an,
more than 10000 others were sathere
on shore to celebrate the coming O
the fleet.
At midnight on the 9TH the flee
crossed the equator, and Father Ner
tune visited the ships. On the flagship
Connecticut, Neptune. surrounded b
his various assistants and satellites
addressed warm welcome to the AC
miral in command.
Many at Neptune's Shrine.
Never before had so many recruit
no I'M of hn,
ing fully 80 percent of the crews. TIL
great number of green hands CAV
Father Neptune and his followers a
unusual opportunity to put ther
through the initiation with inimitabl
spirit. Neptune's flag hung at tn
yard arm during the ceremonies.
All the newspaper correspondent
on the vessels paid the footing wit
the older officers and a number of mit
shipmen who took he initiation. Thel
was the usual lathering and Shawn
by the BARRIERS and the ducking in III
tanks. which was administered by til
bears, Early on Friday morning
false alarm OF man overheard was sci
out from the Missouri which hrougi
the fleet TO quick stop and boats wei
lowered. 1t was an excellent drill an
we'll performed.
During the night of the same day
brig. showing no lights, entered II
column and caused break in the 70
nation. A serious accident W;
avoided only by a skillful handling
the warships.
The newspapers here publish Speci
editions describing the splendid We
come extended to the Americans. Sc
eral of the papers Will issue daily &c
lions IN English during the stay of II
fleet and have made arrangements
secure extensive special dispatch
from the United States. so the m,
may have the news of their own cou
try.
Have you noticed the improved ser
ice to Chicago via the c.. c. & ]