Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-02-07
Batt|eship Fleets Depart
.uteDsIsyed Until Today
To- Allow Return Of Hospitality
al Punta. Arenas.


Punta Arenas, Strait vi Magellan,
Feb. 6.-The social gaieties in connec-
ton with the presence here Of the
American fleet OF battleships under
Rear Admiral Evans continued I'M
abatted. Dinners and dancing. eXcur-
sions ard receptions follow each other
In quick succession, the Americans
trying to repay the hospitality OF their
Chilean hosts and the ChilGans stri'-
ing constantly to put their Flsitors
further in their debt. 1t was original
iy planned to nave the feet leave mere
the evening Of Feb. 5, but this pro-
gram was changed and the departure
was delayed until the 18th in order 10
give the Americans more time i'll which
u return the hospitality extended
them b. the residents and authorities
of Punta Arenas.
The health of Rear admiral Evans.
who at Rio 5aneiro vas aufferirg
severely from rheumatism. is improv-
ing steadily.
The feet will leave Friday night at
IL o'clock. The torpedo boat iiotilla
will accompany the battlcshipS through
the strait as far as Cape Pillar. at
the west cflC from Atii1 l'''ihe 49,
smaller vessels will take an inside pas
sage to the north. AT Valparaiso the
fleet will steam close inshorc and sa-
lutte the town. The Chilean cruiser
Chacabuco will precedc the feet Out
Of tho strait. The vessels expect 10
arrive off Valparaiso Friday, Feb. Ii.
about 2 r. NJ
One of the boats Of the battleship
Rhode Island, in which Midshipman
Herndon u. Kelly and four seamcn
were rowing. was capslzed off tie
SPIT near Punta Arenas yesterday ar
ternoon by 4 sudden heavy gust Of
wind. The five men chung to the bot
tom OF their upturncd boat and sig
nailed for help. The plight was quick
~ observed from shore and Captain
Martin. the maritime governor of the
territory, Immediately went TO their
assistance in a launch. He got all five
men safely transferred to his boat.
They were somewhat exhausted from
their efforts to Keep afi0at in the heavy
their experience.
John Hicks, the American minister
TO Chile, who came down to Puntu
Arenas on the Chacabuco. entertained
the American admirals and captains
at breal>fas; yesterday Oh board this
vessel Commander Hodges OF the
British cruiser Sappho also was a
guest. No toaats were offered by the
officer but Henry l.. james. secretary
Of the American legation at Valparaiso
made n brief address which he brought
to 4 close with the statemen; that he
Cd hn Ia 10 L..
of the British. Chilean and American
navles would claim and attain domin-
lon over the seven seas.
While the American officers were be-
ing entertained in the wariroom of
the ChacabucS. 200 American and 20
Chilean blucjacllcts We're given a
breakfast on the lower deck Grea:
enthusiasm prevailed and til" sailors
drank TO the health OF their respective
nations and their commanding adj
mira!s
Tuesday afternoon there was an af-
ternoon dance on board the Clucabuco
Mt which tho society OF funta Arenas
was we'll represented. Four hundred
guests danced until 6 o'clock in the
evening. Among those present were
Emory and Srcrry. of the American
fleet, and other American officers
members Of several prominent PuntL
Arenas families. as well as several
British and Argentine naval officers
The decks OF the Chacabuco were
draped with flags of all nations and
decorated with cvergrecns. while foun-
tains and kiosks had been arranged
where they would not interfere with
the dancing. Refreshments were sery-
cd at small tables. The orchestra was
Installed in the boats hanging at the
davits. The afternoon was one of ami
nation and the dance came to an end
with the American cake walk and thu,
rendering of tn, famous Chilean dance.
the "Cueca."
tuesday night there was gaia per-
forinance at the theatcr OH shore
which was attended by many of the
american officers. Among those pres
ent were Admiral Thomas Moritz
Braun. the American consul here, AL
fred a Winslow. the American con-
SUI at Valparaiso. Governor Chaigneau
and the officers of the Chacabuco The
evening was most enjoyable.
Yesterday afternoon there was a mic
nic TO Rio Seco. Thirty-four Ameri
can officers drove out to the refrigerat-
ing plant where lunch was served. re-
turning later in the day.
Funta Arenas is having n f.as. ~
music. Every day bands from one or
another OF the American warships play
on the plaza.