The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1908-02-21
FLEET IN REVIEW
All Valparaiso and Thousands From
Every City in Chile Saw
the Battleships.
PASSED THROUGH HARBOR
President Mont and Other Officials
Saluted as Great Ships Passed
in Single File at
Four Knots.

valparaiso, rep. 10 nc SioaI
American fleet of 16 battleshiTs
passed Valparaiso Friday afternoon
and continued on its voyage north
ward for Callao, Peru, the next STOP
ping place. All Valparaiso and thou
sands of persons from every city in
Cnlle witnessed the passing of the
fleet. President Mont and the other
high officials of the republic came out
from shore to greet the battleships
and almost the entire Chilean navy
exchanged salutes with them as they
swung around Curaumilla Point and
into Valparaiso bay in single hle,
headed by the Chilean cruiser Chaca-
buco and five Chilean torpedo boat
destroyers.
Turning sharp around Curaumilla
Point at ten minutes after 2 o'clock
Friday afternoon the Chacabuco and
the five Chilean destroyers led the
Connecticut and her 10 sister ships
into the view of the thousands who
had awaited their appearance since
dawn. The day was perfect and the
spectacle of the fleet stretched in a
great semi-circle as seen from the high
hills around the bay was magnificent
President Montt and other Chilean
officials embarked on the training
ship General Baquedano and took a
position well out in the harbor
Around the Baquedano the fleet swung
at speed of four knots, firing the
presidential salute as they passed in
review 1t was one hour from the
time the head of the fleet entered the
bay until the last vessel had passed
the presidents ship and turned toward
the open sea.
Then the Baquedano lifted anchor
and escorted the fleet well out of the
bay and on it's way to the north. 1t
was a view such as has never before
been seen in Valparaiso bay, and one
that will long be remembered by the
people of Chile who came miles to see
it.
Shipping in the harbor and the prin-
cipal buildings in the city were
dressed for the occasion as the day
was observed as a holiday in honor
of the fleet. From the picturesque
sloping hills dotted with houses,
profusion of bunting and the waving
of flags were discernible from the bay.
Thousands of persons from Santiago
and other places in the republic had
come into Valparaiso for the occasion
and the roofs of the Bolsa CONNER
cial. with it's two huge towers, the
custom house and the large ware
house and other buildings along the
circular road skirting the bay front
were black with spectators. The en-
thusiasm of the Chileans was almost
boundless, and they cheered Justify as
the battleship fleet swung around the
reviewing ship, their sides lined with
tackles in immaculate white and the
bands playing patriotic airs. The
noise of the cheering was lost how
ever, in that of the saluting guns from
the fort and the fleet. Altogether
1900 shots were fired.
After the fleet had passed to the
northward a banquet was served on
hoard of the General Baquedano by
President Mont in honor of the diplo-
matte corps and his other guests.
Toasts were drunk to President
Roosevent and Admiral Evans and his
officers, crews and ships and the uni
yersal wish was expressed that the
Americans may have fair weather and
a safe passage to their destination.
In the city of Valparaiso Friday
night celebrations of every kind were
in progress and everywhere may be
heard words of praise for Admiral
Evans for having honored Valparaiso
with visit.