The Washington herald., 1911-10-25
BIG FLEET ENTERS
NEW YORK HARBOR
Thirteen Battle Ships Cast
Anchor in the Hudson.

New York Oct. 24-From rooftop, win
dow, and pierhead New York watched
thirteen battle ships and one cruiser,
vanguard of a powerful fleet of 1o2 war
vessels which will assemble here next
week, steam into port this afternoon and
take positions in the Hudson. The Con-
necticut, flying the fiag of Rear Admiral
Hugo Osterhaus, commander-in-chief of
the Atlantic fleet. led the vessels. which
entered the NarrOws shortly before l
o clock, and passed the Battery half an
hour later, making a splendid picture as
they moved slowly, in perfect alignment,
up the river.
Every man who could be spared on deck
was lined along the rail Of each ship. In
the brilliant sunlight brass work and
gun muzzle flashed heliograph signals
uninteIlIgible, to be sure-across the bay,
while wireless and semaphore actually
carried orders along the line. In true
naval fashion the ships held their course
without deviating in the slightest. They
dill no. slow UP, either. Any craft in
their way was supposed to give them sea
room, and they did so without hesita-
ton.
Come in Close Order.
With the Connecticut were the battle
ships Michigan, North Dakota, Louisiana,
Vermont, and South Carolina, in the
order named. They passed Quarantine
at 1890 o'clock. Twenty-Five minutes
later the battle ships Minnesota, Mis-
souri, Ohio, Mississippi, Virginia, Georgia
and Nebraska, and the cruiser New Or
leans appeared.
All had anchored last night ten miles
southeast of the Ambrose Channel light
ship. there to remain until noon. as the
admiral did not want TO cause incon-
venience to merchantmen that were
obliged to use the channel at an early
hour Promptly at noon the fleet
weighed anchor and moved into the
channel. and before o'clock the Con-
necticut had taken the place assigned
to her in the Hudson.
The big fleet will be concentrated on
Monday. and for three days New York
will entertain 5000 bluejackets. It Is
the most ambitious mobilization OF
fighting craft ever undertaken in this
country There will be two nights OF
illumination. and Jack ashore will be
treated royalty. Early last week the
only three battle ships in the Brooklyn
Navy Yard-the Dreadnoughts Utah,
Delaware and FIorida-were groomed
for the display and wired for the illum-
nations.
The MayfiOwer There.
The Presidential yacht Mayfiower,
also at the navy yard, has been pre-
pared for the review, although President
Taft will not return from the West in
time to visit the ships.
Arrangements call for five, and per-
haps seven miles of ships, great and
small. forming four line in the Hudson
River from West Fifty-seventh street to
Fort Washington or above. The battle
ships will be 400 yards apart, destroyers
300, smaller torpedo boats and other
craft 200. In order that they may be
displayed to the best advantage the sub
marines will be anchored nearest the
New York shore. Next in line come the
battle ships. and in the third and fourth
columns. nearest New Jersey, the de-
stroyers and torpedo boats.
This line Of 1O2 vessels. twenty-four Of
them battle ships, comprising the At
lantic fleet. will have an aggregate ton
mage of 57,2S5.