The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1908-01-17
EVANS FLEET AT RIO
Brazil Opens Wide It's Gates
to Battleships.
FATHER NEPTUNE CREETS THEN.
Cruisers and FIotilIa of small Graft
Welcome our Tar- nt Sea on
south America's Great Port.
To stay Ten Days.

RIO JANEIRO. Jan. 1.-THE Amer
lean fleet Of sixteen battleships entered
the port Of Rio Janeiro at 3 o'clock
Yesterday afternoon. after "a passage
from Port Of Spain. Trinidad. more
than 5000 miles. unmarried by serious
accident. with all well on board and
ending with a royal welcome from the
thousands Of Brazilians that had gath
cred to greet the visitors.
At midnight on the 9TH Of January
the fleet crossed the equator. and Fa-
ther Neptune visited the ships. ON
the flagship Connecticut. Neptune. sur
rounded boy his various assistants and
satellites. addressed a warm welcome
10 the admiral in command. Never be-
fore had So many recruits crossed the
line at one time, numbering fully 90
Der cent of the crews. This great
number Of green hands gave Father
Neptune and his followers an unusual
opportunity TO put them through the
initiation with mimitable spirit Nep-
tunes flag hung at the yardauns dur
ing the ceremonies.
All the newspaper correspondents on
the vessels paid the footing with the
older officers and a number OF mid
shlpmen who took the initiation.
There was the usual latherlng and
shaving by the BARRIERS and the duck
ing I'm the tanks which was admins
tered by Neptune's followers, the Ted
dy bears.
Early in the morning the crowds be
can TO gather in the streets Of Rio
Janeiro. and long before the signal
flags were hoistcd announcing the APP
proach OF the American ships Of war
thousands Of curious spectators had
taken Mp the points Of vantage on pub
De- buildings and the elevated quays
When the fleet steamed into the harboI
under the splendid mountains that
framed the bay beautiful in the trop
ical sun. it was spectacle mcompara-
Bile 10 the eye. The roadstead lay like
glittering mirror beneath.
When word that the fleet had passed
Cape Frio. about forty-hve miles out
was received. Immediately scores of
tugs and other small craft. crowded
with spectators. set out 10 meet the
visitors and accompanied them to the
anchorage.
Outlined against the horizon. the
great hattleships. stretched out in one
long line. came slowly through the
passage into the bay. The Connecticut
Rear Admiral Evans flagship, was IN
the lead. with the Brazilian cruisers
dressed I'm gala attire, on either side
Passing the fortresses. the Connection
fred a salute Of twenty-0ne guns
which was responded TO by the Bra
lillian warshlps, the German crulsei
Bremen and the shore batteries. Th'
yards and fighting tops were manned
and cheers upon cheers were given fo'
the splendid flagship and her siste
ships their commanders and crews.
The battleship feet will remain herr
for the next ten days, where officer
and men will be claborately entertain
ed both by the government aud th'
municipality and by organizations o
citizens. From today until the 1911
every day will bring some function II
honor Of the visitors.
It Is reported here that Admiral Ev
ans has rheumatism and Will be rep
resented ashore 10y Rear Admira
Thomas