The Colorado statesman., 1908-01-25
OUR BATTLEcHIP FLEET.
Grand Scene When 1t Leaves Brazil
for the Pacific.


Rio Janeiro.-To the booming of
guns and the cheers of thousands on
the accompanying pleasure craft, the
American warships sailed from Rio
Janeiro Wednesday afternoon bound
for Punta Arenas, on Magellan Straits.
Ten days will bring the fleet almost
midway on its 14,O00-mile cruise to
San Francisco, and the ships and the
men carried with them the Godspeed
and good wishes of the whole Brazilian
nation.
Not an untoward incident had
marked the visit of the Americans
here. They were feasted and feted,
both officers and men, during their So
journ in Rio, and half the population
turned out from early in the morning
to give them a fitting farewell. As
upon the arrival of the fleet, so upon
its departure, the quays and the hills
were crowded with thousands watching
the warships until they had disap-
peared through the mouth of the bay
into the open sea.
The president of the republic, DIR.
Penna, came to Rio Janeiro from Pc
tropolis about IL o'clock and went on
the yacnt Silva down to where the war
ships were lying. He went aboard the
cruiser Benjamin Constant, which was
in readiness to accompany the Ameri-
can fleet, and made a tour OF all the
American ships. Accompanied by Ad-
miral Alencar minister of the marine,
Dr. l.. Muller, minister of public works.
and other high officials, he visited the
divisional flagship Minnesota, remain
ing there about an hour
Admiral Thomas, commander of the
flagship, Captain Hubbard, and the
American ambassador, Irving B. Dud,
ley, received him with all honors and
the band played the Brazilian ma
tional anthem. In the saloon of the
Minnesota there was a mutual eX
change Of greetings. Admiral Thomas
made little speech in which he pre-
sentcd his best wishes for the pros
perity of Brazil and her president, con.
Guiding with, Brazil, God bless you
forevermore." The president respond,
ed with thousand wishes for a good
voyage for the splendid fleet, prosper,
ity for the United States and the health
of President Roosevelt.
While the president was aboard the
Minnesota and during his trip among
the vessels salutes were exchanged,
and on his departure from the flagship
twenty-oHe guns were fired. DR.. Penna
then returned to his yacht, which went
to point off Fort Villageon to watch
the departure of the ships.
About 8 o'clock the American fleet
began to move, passing out in single
column and in inverse order, accord.
ing to divisions, the Alabama leading.
The three divisions of the Brazilian
navy followed, composed of three bat,
tleships, seven cruisers and six de.
stroyers. In the vicinity of Fort Vii,
lagoon steamers circled about, having
on board thousands of spectators from
shore. Hundreds of launches and
small craft from the sporting clubs,
all gaily decorated, forming a stirring
spectacle.
The great warships moved slowly at
first, but as they disappeared from
view they We're steaming at a ten-knot
pace. One by one as they passed the
presidents yacht they saluted with
twenty-one guns and the forts replied
in kind. There was much waving of
small flags and handkerchiefs, and the
cheering seemed incessant The blow
ing of hundred whistles in the steam
craft added to the noise.