Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-11-03
TAFT REVIEWS Big FLEET
President Passes Down Long Line of
Warships on Mayflower.
RECEIVES GALS on ApMIRAIs
Ninety-Nine Fighting Machines Fire
Presidential salute of Twenty
One Guns as Yacht Makes
Return Trip.


NEW YORK. Nov. 2.-President TAFT
today had his first real view OF the
American navy. II has so happened,
since he entered the White House. that
the fleet. which was so greatly admired
by his predecessor, Colonel Roosevelt,
had been on widely scattered 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 os ;9lO, and lit-
tie more than two weeks ago in san
Francisco had stood on the quarter deck
Of the flagship California OF the Pacific
fleet, he had never until today come into
his own as commander in chief of the
sea fighting forces of the country.
From the bridge Of the presidential
yacht Mayflower, Mr.. Taft reviewed the
gray amanda that for nearly a week
had swung at anchor In the Hudson
river, awaiting his inspection. As the
little white Mayflower picked its way IN
and out among the giant craft of tho
battleship line the guns roared in salute,
The yacht with the presidents blue
crested 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 under
way and pass in review OF the president,
while the Mayflower lies at anchor Off
the statue Of liberty.
President Taft planned to spend the
entire day on the water. His train ar
rived in Jersey City from Washington
p
utos later he was being transferred to
the Mayflower. AS he went aboard, his
flag was broken from the mast head
and the usual honors were paid to him.
As a rule Mr.. Taft requests all cere-
monies on the Mayflower be suspended.
Today's events being purely official,
however, the ceremonies prescribed in the
navy regulations were Followed to the
letter.
The party aboard the presidential yacht
also was strictly official. Secretary OF
the Navy Meyer. the presidents aid and
Secretary Hilles went board with Mr..
Taft large party Of invited guests,
including senators, representatives and
foreign military ana naval attaches FROM
Washington were aboard the dispatch
boat Dolphin. which followed in the waku
Of the Mayfiower,
When President Taft had taken his
place on the bridge the Mayflower got
under way and headed up the Hudson. II
was quite a sail to the foot of Fifty
ninth street, where the head of the battle
ship column rested. on board the flag
ship Connecticut a sharp lookout had
been kept down the harbor and as soon
as the presidential flag was made out
in the distance the flagship let so with us
salUting guns.
Ghe last reports OF the salute were
drifting down the river from the far end
Of the line as the Mayflower crept 10
an anchorage near the Connecticut. Its
engines had scarcely stopped turning
when a score OF sturdy little steam barges
we're headed for its starboard gangway.
The admirals Of the fleet were on their
way personally to pay their respects 10
the president Rear Admiral Hugo Oster-
h8us, commander-in-chief OF the fleet,
sailing from the Connecticut. was first
to board the Mayfower lie was at
tended by his aides and as he passed up
the gangway there was flourish OF
trumpots. a ruffle OF drums and astrain
or two Of lively march by the Marine
band.
Admiral Osterhaus soon was followed
by the other staff officers OF the fleet.
who went aboard in accord with their
divisional rank The president and Sec
retary Meyer stood on the quarterdeck
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