Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-01-23
American Batl|gshlps Depart From
Brazilian Capital for Punla
AFsnos, The Next Stop.
WILL ARRIVE THERE IN Ten DAYS
People of Rio Gave Fleet Royal Fare.
we'll as 1t Sailed Out into the Open
sea-Presdcnt Penna Makes Last
Call on the Admiral and other OF.
flcers.
(ny Associnted Press.l

(By Associated I'ress.)
RIO JANERO. Jan. 22.-To the
booming of guns and the cheers of
thousands on the accompanying pleas
ure craft. the American warships sail
ed from Rio Janero this afternoon,
bound for Punta Arenas on the Ma
gellnn straits. Ten days will bring
the fleet almost midway on It's $4,000
mile cruise TO San Francisco. and the
ships and the men carried with them
today the God speed and the good
wishes of the whole brazilian nation
Not an untoward incident had mark
ed the visit of the Americans here
They Toasted and feted. both officers
and men, during their sojourn in RIO
and half the population turned out
early in the morning TO give them n
fitting farewell. The quays. the pub
lie buildings and the hills were crowd
ed with thousands watching the war
ships until they had disappeared
through the mouth OF the by into the
open sea.
President Penna Visits Fleet.
President Penna came to Rio janet
70 from Petropolis about II o'clock
and proceeded on the yacht Silva
down to where the warships were
laying. He went aboard the cruiser
Benjamin Constant, which was in
readiness TO accompany the American
fleet, and made n tour of all the AM
erican warships. Accompanied by
Admiral Alencar. the minister of ma
rine and DIR. l.. Muller the minister of
public works and other high officials
he visited the divisional flagship Min
nesota, remaining there about an
hour. Admiral Thomas. commander
of the flagship, Captain Hubbard and
the American ambassador Irving b.
Dudley. received him with all honors.
and the band played the Brazilian ma
tional anthem.
In the saloon of the Minnesota. there
was the usual exchange Of greetings.
Admiral Thomas made little speech
IN which he expressed his best wish
es for the prosperity of Brazil and her
people, concluding with Brazil, God
bless YOU for evermore."
The president responded with a
thousand wishes for good voyage
for the splendid fleet. prosperity for
the United States and the health of
President Roosevelt
While the president was aboard anu
during his trip among the vessels
sautes were exchanged and on his
departure twenty one guns were fired
President Penna then returned to
his yacht which proceeded to point
off Fort Villegagnon to watch ,ne de
parture of the ships. About three
o'clock the American fleet began 10
move, passing out in single file and in
review order according to divisions
the Alabama leading. Three divis-
ions OF the Brazilian navy followed
composed of three battleship, seven
cruisers and six destroyers.
The Final Statutes.
In the vicinity of Fort Villegagnon
many steamers circled about having
on beard thousands of spectators from
shore. Hundreds of launches and
smaller craft from the sporting clubs
and gaily decorated, were there also
forming stirring spectacle AS the
/ warships disappeared from view they
were steaming at 10 knot pace. Ono
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 flag.
and handkerchlefs and the cheering
seemed incessant.
Captain II. r.. Ingersoll chief o
staff to Rear Admiral Evans. on be
Ing interviewed before the departu.,
of the feet said that he had no specia
plans for the passage of the ship.
through Magellan straits. They viii
go through. however. as a solid fleet
With their departure from Rio Jan
| GIRO today the sixteen battieships IN
der the command OF Rear Admira
Evans enter upon the third stage o
their voyage TO the Pacific. In th..
run of 2,230 knots which will termi
nate February /. according to the
scheduled, at Punta Arenas, the mos
Southern point in the world, the Ship
will traverse the hazardous narrow.
at the Eastern enterance to the Strait.
of Magellan.
Since Ferdinand Magellan, the grea
Portuguese navigator, with squadron
of discovery, fitted ont by Charles v
King of Spain. discovered in 1920 an,
passed through the straits named ate
| him, no greater attention hoe hea,