Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-11-04


ing flags, as If attempting. forts gals
occasion to conceal the muzzles of the
death-dealing guns. T"
There were gtwenty.four battleships
in the line, representing every type Of
that class of, lighting vessel In the
navy from the Indiana, Massachusetts
and Iowa of Spanish war fame, down
to the last word in completed super
dreadroughts, the majestic Florida
which today lifted the voice Of her
guns in their first salute. From the
Indiana to the Florida it was fa1
cry, the big super-dreadnought with
her high freeboard and five big turrets
looking as though she could gobble up
the little veterans OF the line in just
one gulp. Armored cruisers, scout
cruisers, destroyers, torpedo boats and
auxiHaries made up the grand total.
First Real View Of Navy.
1t was Tafts first real view of the
American navy. 1t had so happened,
since he entered the white house,
that the fleet, which was So greatly
admired by his predecessor, Col.
Roosevelt, had been on widely scat
tered duty for the greater part of the
time. And, while the president had
reviewed two divisions of the Atlantic
fleet in Provincetown harbor in the
summer of 1910, and little more than
two weeks ago in San Francisco had
stood on the quarterback of the flag
ship California of the Pacific
fleet, he had never until today
come into his own as commander-in-
chief of the fighting forces of the
country. From the bridge Of the presi-
Dental yacht MaytlOwer, Mr.. Taft re-
viewed the gray armada that for near
ly a week had swung at anchor in the
Hudson river awaiting his inspection.
AS the little white Mayfiower picked
her way in and out among the giant
craft of the battleship line, the guns
reared in salute. The yacht, with the
blue crescent flag at the main truck
sailed gracefully along the seven mile
column of fighting ships turned at the
end and headed again down the river.
Late this afternoon the entire fleet,
ninety-nine vessels in all, will get I'M
der way and pass in review of the
president, while the Mayfiower ties at
anchor off the statute of liberty.
President Taft planned to spend the
entire day on the water His train
arrived in Jersey City from Washing
ton shortly after o'clock and In
few minutes he was being transferred
to the Mayflower. AS he went aboard
his flag was broken from the masthead
and the unusual honors were paid to
him, -
Ships Give Presidential Salute.
AS a rule Mr. Taft requests that all
on the Mayfiower be sus-
pended. Today's events being purely
official, however, the ceremon1als pre-
scribed in the navy yards were fol-
lowed to the letter. s
The party aboard the presidential
yacht also was strictly official. Sec
rotary of the Navy Meyer, the presi-
dents aid and Secretary Hilles went
aboard with Mr.. Taft. A large party
Of invited guests, including senators,
and foreign military
and naval attaches from Washington
we're aboard the dispatch boat Dolphin
which followed in the wake of the
& 50
When President Taft had taken his
place on the bridge, the Mayf1ower got
,nder way and headed up the Hudson.
t was quite q sail to the foot OF
street, where the head OF
he battleship Columbia rested. On
BOARD the flagship Connecticut sharp
cokout had been kept in the harbor
md as soon as the presidential flag
vas made out in the distance the flag
;hip let go with her saluting gun.
The white puff frcm the first gun !
lad hardly cleared the muzzle when
he other vessels in the line, follow l
ng the motions of their leader, had
begun the firing of the presidential, sa-
ute of twenty-one guns. II
AdmiraIs Call on President.
The report of the salutes were drift
ne down the river as the Mayfower
crept to anchorage near the Connect
cut. Her engines had scarcely stop
ped turning when score of sturdy
title steam barges were headed for
Ter starboard gangway. ~>,
The admirals Of the fleet were on
heir way personally to pay their res
;pects to the president, Rear Admiral
Hugh Osterhaus, chief |
If the fleet, sailing in the Connecticut,
vas first to board the Mayflower. He |
vas attended by his aides and as he
passed up the gangway there was
flourish Of trumpets, ruffle of drums
md strain or two of lively march |
~ the marine band.
Admiral Osterhaus soon was fol-
owed by the other flag officers of the
1eet, who went aboard in the order
If their divisional rank. The presi-
lent and Secretary Meyer stood on the |
Mr.. Taft had cordial
of greetings for each Of the
officers. When the reception had end
I'd and the admirals had sailed away
n their barges, the president prepar-
I'd to return courtesies with call on
BOARD the Connecticut. The guns tend
cred a salute as he came aboard and
again when he left.
1t was from the Connecticut that the ,
president got his first view of the
anchored fleet H |
Ships in Gay Dress.
With the sounding of colors at 8 a.
n., great transformation had come |
over the dull gray vessels. Their !
yaunt yard arms and shelton masts !
which had stood out bare and un-
graceful against the sky line, subse-
JupntIy hlOOmed with the various col