Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-10-23
GREAT ARMADA TO
co THROUGH CANAL
One Hundred Warships of All
Nations May Join in Pan
anna Celebration.

Washington, Oct 20.-Anchored in
Hampton roads early in 1915 will be the
greatest international fleet ever gathered
In American waters, assembled in an
swer to the invitation of the United
States government to celebrate the com
pletion of the Panama canal by making
a voyage to the Pacific through the new
waterway
The precise number of vessels which
will lie in the famous roadstead is not
yet known to the officers of the navy de-
partment in charge of the arrangements
FOR rendezvous, as so far there have been
no formal responses received to the invi-
tations despatched by the state depart
ment to all of the nations of tho world.
Some of the nations with great navies
may be represented by squadrons of four
or more warships; others by only one or
TWO, and some Of the countries prac scally
without navies including vessels of the
first class will be represented only in the
personnel of their legations and commits
sons to the Panama Pacific exposition
ALL NATIONS ARE INVITED.
The formal invitation of the United
States was despatched to all the diplo-
matte officers OF the United States
/
Bryan 1t recited the fact that in the
navy appropriation act of 1911 the
President was authorized and requested
in extending his invitation to 'oreign
nations to participate in the exposition
also to invite their representatives
and their fleets to assemble at Hamp-
ton roads, Va. and from thence come
to the city of Washington, there to be
formally welcomed by the President"
The President also is to go to Hamp-
ton roads to review the assembled
fleets as they start on their voyage
to San Francisco
1t is expected that the American in
vitation will meet with general ac-
ceptance, and the result will be the
gathering of "A fleet of perhaps sew
enty-five or hundred warships of the
best type, for the reason that slow and
antiquated vessels would be unable to
Keep pace with the rest of the fleet
in the cruise from Hampton roads to
the Golden Gate.
WINSTON PROBABLY COMMANDER.
The international fleet will probably be
under command of an American vice.
admiral, in all likelihood Cameron MGR
Winslow, for it is expected that Congress,
which has authorized the assembly, will
make provision for this new grade rather
than have the American commander out
ranked by some foreign naval office.
| The ceremonies at Hampton roads and
| the time required for a visit to Washing
ton by the foreign visitors will consume
about week or 10 days, and then headed
by the American fleet, probably with the
superintendent New York at the right
of the column, the great armada will take
! its way southwark for Colon.
| 1t is estimated that about four days
will be required to pass the fleet through
the locks and the canal and about twice
! that length of time will suffice to replen-
ish the coal bunkers and oil tanks of the
ships before they resume their cruise.
this time steaming northward for San
! Francisco.
VOYAGE IN FORTY-TWO DAYS.
Altogether, 1t is planned to make the
complete voyage from Hampton roads
/ to the Golden Gate in forty-two days,
which will include a stop OF day or
two at some convenient harbor or road
stead on the Pacific coast. probably
Masdaena bay, for additional fuel and
supplies.
At San Francisco there will be elabo-
rate ceremonies conducted under the aus
pieces of the management of the EXPOSE
| ton, and when these have concluded. the
great fleet will break up and the differ
home ports.