Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-07-07

Oyster Bay July 1.-The president
today sent to Rear Admiral Sperry
commanding the battleship fleet at
San Francisco, q telegram expressing
his good wishes to the officers and
men on the eve Of their departure for
trip around the world.
San Francisco. July IA splendid
picture of Americas fighting strength
on the sea was presented today when
the sixteen battleships Of the Atlantic
fleet, led by the magnificent Connecti-
cut with Rear Admiral Charles s. Per-
ry on the bridge, headed out of the
Golden Gate and bathed their bows in
the blue Pacific. In imposing array they
passed beyond the headlands out of the
view of the thousands OF cheering
watchers on shore and started fairly
on the long voyage thru Ave seas from
San Francisco to Hampton Roads,
striking demonstration Of the power
and efficiency of the United States
navy.
Sixteen battleships were in the line,
divided into four divisions. and two
squadrons. In the first division of the
first squadron were the flagship of
Rear Admiral Sperry the Connecticut,
and her sister ships. the Kansas. Min
| Varrony,t 0,l,tc Afvyio a
well as the entire feet is under the i'm
mediate command of Rear Admiral
Sperry. The second division of the first
squadron is commanded by Acting
Rear Admiral Richard wainwright, and
consists Of the flagship Georgia and her
sister ships, the Nebraska New Jersey
and Rhode Island. Rear Admiral Will
lam Fl. Emory commands the second
squadron of the third division, and is
aboard of the flagship Louisiana. The
Virginia, Ohio and Missouri also are
in this division. The fourth division,
under the command of Acting Rear
Admiral Seaton Schroeder, is made up
of the flagship Wisconsin and the Illi-
nois, kearsarge, and Kentucky The
Nebraska and Wisconsin formerly Of
the Pacific fleet, have taken the places
of the Maine and Alabama OF the At
lantic fleet which are en- route to
Hampton Roads as a special service
squadron.
Auxiliaries Near Honolulu.
The fleet auxiliaries preceded the
battleships by week, and are now
nearing Honolulu, where they will un-
load supplies and sail away for New
Zealand before the arrival Of the fleet
at Honolulu. These auxiltaries are the
Panther, repair ship; Glacier. refriger-
ator- supply ship; Culgea, supply ship:
Ajax, collier; Relief, hospital ship and
Yankton, tender and dispatch boat.
The battleships which sailed today
on the longest voyage ever undertaken
by such a powerful fleet during which
they will completely encircle the world,
from Hampton Roads to Hampton
Roads, have a total tonnage OF 1S6,100
tons. The fleet is capable Of steaming
on an average Of ten knots an hour
under any sea conditions. and is fol-
lowing an itinerary which will bring
the ships to Manila on Oct. 1, 1908. The
complete route from Manila to Hamp-
ton Roads has not yet been definitely
announced, but 1t Is expected that the
fleet will arrive at it's ultimate destin-
alton during the latter part of Febru-
ary, 1909, when 1t will be Joined at
Hampton Roads by most of the other
ships of the American navy then on
the Atlantic coast and this great fleet
of war vessels-greater even than that
which gathered in San Francisco bay
on the morning Of May 9Th, and greater
than the one that assembled at Hamp-
ton Roads December 16, when the pres
ent record -lbreaking voyage began and
where 1t will again be reviewed by
President Roosevelt just prior to his
going out Of office.
Duo in Honolulu July 16.
The fleet Is scheduled to arrive at
Honolulu July 16. Residents Of that
remote possession OF the United States
have prepared a magnificent and fitting
reception to the officers and men.
which will be Of the nature Of re-
ception and a belated Fourth OF July
celebration combined. 1t will be the
first special entertainment Of the fight
ing men since Puget Sound cities de-
lighted to do them honor, and prepar-
ations have been making for months
at Honolulu that no pleasing feature
shall be lacking.
After a stay of one week in Homo
lulu, the fleet will proceed to Attak-
land, New Zealand. 1t Is by special In
yftation of the New Zealand govern
ment that the American ships go there.
and at this port the Yankee sailors
will receive their first greetings from
a foreign people since leaving South
America This greeting will be par
.tfo,l,rlv cordial and the enter4 ain meat