Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-10-02
MAGNIFICENT Spectacle.

A>e>~e>>>e~eeseo>->
It is estimated that between $1,000
and 10000 people viewed the depar-
ture Of the Fleet at South Head. II
was the sight Of q lifetime. and those
who did rise earlier than usual will
never forget the scene AZ the long
line passed through the Heads and
Strengthened up on a course to the
southwark.
The morning broke rather hazy. and
the sun struggled through the thick
atmosphere. A. half-past Z the rays
had pierced the mist, and q glorious
blaze OF light shone over the cliffs,
making the entrance to the harbor
more beautiful than ever. The trans
formation from haze to bright sun
shine came at the right moment. and
the early arrivals at South Head. even
forge ting about the Fleet, had their
moneys worth.
A cold breeze came fresh from the
westward, and with an edge as keen
as a razor, invigorateG the spectators.
and people walked to and fro Just to
keep up the circulation.
Citywards there was a dense bank
Of fog and smoke. and now and then
only could the hulls of the Fleet-now
all animation on the decks-Ibe PICK.
ed out. The white ships presented
fine picture. the rays OF the sun
playing through the mist. adding 10
the splendor Of the scene.
At q quarter to the fog lifted,
opening up the whole harbor. but on
" for a few minutes. Everything was
enveloped again. owing to the heavy
smoke which had been belching forth
from the stacks Of the battleships
two auxilliaries, and the big collier
Ajax.
Meanwhile the crowd had grown at
South Head; every elevation being Sc
cured.
The trains arrived at the terminus
loaded. dealers carts were plentiful
cabs, buggies, sulkies. bikes. and
motor cars were all there. and dis
/, charged living freight in record time
Many hundreds also took advantage
OF the crisp air, and preferred to
walk. and reached the cliffs with
cheeks aglow. Indeed. there were mo
theirs and babies IN the throng. az
well as a strong force Of policemen
under Superintendent Mitchell.
As the hour approached for taking
in mornings, the crowd on the cliffs
eager with expectancy. turned thetl
faces to the breeze. and all eyes were
centred on Bradley's Head. and thai
portion of the harbor visible towards
Garden Island. The Louisiana wal
in full view, but only with the aid Of
powerful telescope could the mast
head Of the Connecticut be picked uI
Off Kirribilli. g.
Slowly had the sun conquered the
fog. and the onlookers we're delighted
with the prospect of . good view
But murmurs OF disappointment CANE
from the crowd as the clouds OF Goa
smoke once more shot skyward from
the tunnels, the westerly wind blow
ing It towards the Heads.
There were q number Of steamers
outside the Heads waiting for the
Fleet, and the Westralia from Hobart
came along just In time. She emerged
from the haze to the southwark abou'
| 8 O'Clock, ard her engines were stop
ped when she was about a mile OF
There was also a threc-masted schoon
er. and the captain made an effort u
enter the port before the Fleet CANE
in view. She was intercepted. ant
went about between the Heads. 4
fair wind took her we'll clear. ant
the crew were enabled to view tn
battIeship procession at sea.
II was Sis before the Connection
was observed under the weigh. ant
the crowd was Oh the tip-toe OF ez
citement. There were no pilots Oh
board, so that no time would be los
lin discharging these officials after tn
Heads had been cleared.
The Connecticut came into view .
S:2O. steering . course well clear o
tBradley's Head. She was Eatherin
way clear all the time, and It % est
mated that she was travelling at tn
rate of seven knots, even ut that carr
stage.
The sun now shope brighter. 1t ha
achieved an absolute victory over a
the haze. and the flagship made
magnificent showing.
Having cleared Bradley's tn
course was altered q little, and the
| in order came the other ships Of tn
first division. BY the time the ves
sells Of the Arst and second divfsfo
had entered the eastern channel, tn
/ Louisiana was moving ahead to lee
the squadron which had been at ~
Choir on the southern side OF the ma
Dor. This sight was probably NOR
picturesque than the other: ct o
events, Il vas so from South Heat
Those vessels had been In view q
}; the time lying hove short headin
lnorthward. II vas not difficult ma
4 Ter for them 10 fall into position a
the westerly breeze had, as II wer'
been made to order for the occasion
II was Just what was wanted. an