Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1908-06-20
Saw THE FLEET
FIRED RUPERTs WRITES OF THE
u FAMOUS BATTLESHIP FLEET
E AT SEATTLE AND FORMER BIS.
NIARCKERS NOW LIVING AT
SALEM, ORE.

SALEM, ORE.
The following letter from Fred
Rupert, who formerly lived here, but
is now a resident Of Salem, Ore, was
over two weeks reaching here be-
cause of the railroad tie-up in Mon
tana. 1t is interesting nevertheless.
1t follows:
Salem, Ore, May 20, 1905.
Il have just returned from Seattle.
Washington, where among many.
thousands of others went to see the
Atlantic battleship fleet. It certain
" was a grand sight, and one
which made lasting impression on
all Of those who were so fortunate
as to be able to witness the specta-
Gle of such a powerful armada on
our Pacific coast. Arriving in Se-
attic on Friday. May 20, / found the
city fairly swarming with strangers,
many not being able to find accom-
modations. The weather was truly
ideal for the occasion, the weather
man having been very kind to the
multitude gathered together to well
come the vessels.
H boarded a steamer at 11:00 a..
M, Saturday along with 1900 9TH
ers, and we sailed out on the bay
about, 80 miles from Seattle, and
met the fleet about 100 p. M. COM
ing in in long line, each ship be-
| ing an equal distance apart, the line
being headed by the grand flagship,
Connecticut, and the Illinois bring
| ing up the rear. In all there were
thirteen vessels, the remainder be-
ing at San Francisco and at Brem-
erton navy yards for repairs. We re-
turned to shore alongside the battle
| ships, being only about 400 feet. dis
/ tant from the line all the way in,
] The bay swarmed with craft OF all
! kinds, and there was a continual
cheering and noisy welcome to Uncle
Sans boys.
1 All the larger vessels carrying
sight seers were gaily decked with
flags and on board our vessel was a
fine band which discoursed music as
the fleet passed by. The battleships
came to anchor In the fine harbor in
front Of the city in the form OF q
crescent, and the nearest vessels tc
shore were hardly more than q
stones throw from the piers lining
4 the water, front. The hills above
j the city, were black with humanity
/ seeking to catch a view of the yes
sells, but / think we on board the
boats had the advantage Of better
Il In the evening boarded the same
vessel and we passed out into thu
I harbor among the ships, which were
i Illuminated with electric lights which
we're strung over them, showing thu
outline Of each one, also the mast!
and cross arms were hung with Ions
strings Of incandescent lights, which
when lit presented sight never t.
4 be forgotten. The name of each
vessel was also shown in lights OF
the bridge in front. Shortly aftel
s the lights were turned on each shil
( played its searchlights over the wat
er, and this was a spectacle ever
| or,so Il &1n Inn ,ofi nv,
\ each powerful beam of light castin,
!, a light over the water for miles, ant
} they were moved upwards and down
wards, back and forth, for abou
!, half an hour.
7 Sunday morning / sought out tn
sergeant Of the patrol at pier 10, tn
landing Of the Vermont's men, AM
upon stating to that officer that
desired to visit a friend, Midship
man Cochrane, on the Vermont, h
very kindly sent me to the vessel o.
board one Of the steam launches at
I tached to that ship. was warml
greeted by Will, who I was exceed
ingly glad TO see. he was just abou
to go on watch. being in comman,
! of the upper gun deck, and he kind
lily detailed member Of the ship
crew to show me about the vessel
i was taken all over the grand shi
, with the exception Of the engin,
q room, where visitors were not al
lowed togo.
Upon stating to Midshipman Coch
rane that I had an acquaintance o.
! hoard the Connecticut, Machinis
! defender, he requested one of tn
officers from his ship going to shor
!. in the launch to put me off on boar
the Connecticut. met Lieutenan
! wainwright on that ship, who accord
Led me the courtesy of visiting al
parts of the vessel, including the en-
CINE room, and went over the shi
from the fighting top to the very bot
: tom of the hull, 81 feet below tn
! water line. was ushered into tn
I quarters where the grand old sal
Robley D. Evans was Guartered 4