New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-11-03

Standing bareheaded on the bridge Of
tn Mayfower in a fifty-mile gale and
temperature of 10 degrees, President
TAFT yesterday afternoon reviewed the
greatest war fleet America has ever
gathered together. while i62 guns roared
out their salute 10 him and thirty thou
sand officers and men stood with their
hands to their caps. IL was the climax
of day IN which many cannon belched
flame and smoke in his honor and one
hundred vessels of Americas s naval force
paid him tribute.
an that last review, while he stood alone
at the port rail of the Mayhcwer's bridge
twenty-five first class fighting ships
twenty battleships and two armored
cruisers-led by the flagship Connecticut
and the rear brought up by the Florida,
the most formidable warship in the
world, passed him at fifteen knot gait,
flags flying, crews a t the salute manning
the rails and bands playing THE sta
Spangled Banner" And as they cleared
the Mayflower the roar of the guns
broke forth. and the great war vessels
disappeared in cloud Of smoke carried
by the strong west wind and tinted with
crimson and gold by the last rays Of the
sun setting behind the hills Of Jersey
Down from the upper reaches OF the
North River they came. where the Presi-
dent had left them three hours before.
decked out with rainbow colors stretched
over the mastheads from stem 10 stern
and surrounded by busy mosquito fleet
of tiny steamers that buzzed among
them. carrying men and messages and
gossip and orders. But now they came
swiftly, silently, sternly, i'm single coli
umn, with only the commanders ensign,
the red speed pennant and their coun-
| try's flag; looming from the northern
| shadows into the sunswept foreground
huge and gray, bearing down upon the
Mayflower, dark. retributive and majes-
tic; and only as they passed the trim
white yacht bursting for the moment
| into light and life with the rutlle of ths
| bugles and the bars Of the national -
| them. then once more silence and then
the roaring guns and the clouds of smoke
| and behind the riven Curtain the great
ships speeding out to sea.
Presidents Tribute to Fleet.
The last of the sun was gone and the
black shadows Of night were settling
over the river as the Florida sped by
and challenged with her guns. Behind
her came the destroyers. lcaping out OF
the darkness, green as the sea, racing IN
pairs. lost again in the shadows.
The President replaced his hat on his
head and turned regretfully from the
bridge for the barge that could just
make the landing place in time for MIN
20 catch his train with all streets cleared
for his car. AS he turned away he
qrasped Secretary Meyers hand ana
shook it silently and hard.
"Those who saw the fighting fleet to-
dav could not fail TO be struck with lis
nrenaredness and with its high military
efficiency and must have been proud OF
IT'S personnel" he said before he ieit III"
Ntavhower. This demonstration mas
shown the skill of the officers VINO
turned the whole fleet in the narrow
river and sent IT TO sea at the rate oi
fifteen knots. Unless navy Is mann
tained at the highest possible state Oh
efficiency it is a needless extravaganza
The review. as they put to sea- was
tho last act OF n busy day for the great
eeet II included three simultaneous
santes by the entire fleet Of tweHy-one
eups each and two salutes of twenty-ons
Guns each fired by the ships separately
while each of the five admirals received
. salute OF thirteen guns from the May
eower. The President passed through
tho line of ships twice while they lay AT
anchor. going north from the flagship
connecticut. where she lay off 5'th
street 10 the northernmost vessel OF the
] Sontlnuecren third page.