Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-02-13
Will SON TOOLATE
TO SEE LAUNCHING
Reaches Newport News After
Boat Has Taken It's
Maiden Plunge.
HE INSPECTS FORT MONROE
Views With Interest Giant Guns
Which Protect Virginia
Waters.

NEWPORT NEWS. VA. February
lo.-President Wilson this afternoon
personally inspected ono unit OF the
country's dcfenses when he made Il
tour OF Fortress Monroe, whose man.
moth guns guard the entrance TO
Chesape Bay. ten miles away. Cut
ting short his inspection OF the fort
tend the launching VI the largest oil
steamer ever built in America. the
President hurricdly returned to his
launch and headed for the plant OF the
Dock Company, but before his speedy
little craft could cover the twelve
miles the giant hull of the Charles
Pratt. building for the Standard Oil
Company. had taken it's maiden plunge
in the waters of the James and mem
bers OF the presidential party had 20
satisfy themselves with a view OF the
shipbuilding plant and other interest
ing spots along the shores OF the
James and Hampton Roads between
Old Point and Newport News.
NO FORMAL CEREMONIES
TO MARK Ills ARRIVAL
The naval yacht AIayfiower, with the
President and Mrs. Wilson and DIR. Cary
I. Grayson, the Presidents physician
aboard arrived in Hampton Roads
about 1870 p. NJ, after a delightful
trip down the Potomac River and Chesa-
peake Bay. The Mayhower did not ny
the Presidents flag. and there were no
salutes from the fort or other formal
ceremonies to mark the chief exevu-
tive's arrival In Virginia waters. 1t
was stated at Old Point this afternoon
that the presidential party would re-
main in the Hampton Roads district
until $50 o'clock Sunday afternoon.
when the return trip to WASHINGTON
VIII be begun.
Accompanied by Mrs. Wilson, DR.
Grayson and two Secret Service men,
the President came ashore q few
minutes after o'clock. y number of
soldiers from the fort and civilians
who were gathered on the dock greeted
the President with rousing cheers, to
which he responded by lifting his hat
,, and bowling. n broad smile Indicating
his pleasure at the impromptu recep-
ton. The presidential party then
headed for the main entrance to tho
fort. En- route. the President was
stopped by several Sncn who knew him.
and was forced to acknowledge demon
stratfve greetings every few steps
Each time he lifted his hat and bowed
with Il smile.
INSPECTION OF FORT
MADE WITHOUT ESCORT
Reaching the fort. the President
stopped at the guardhouse and asked
the guard on duty 10 request the Of
ticer OF the day to notify the fort au-
thorities that he did not desire that
any formal courtesies he shown him
that. with his wife and DR.. Gravson
he would see the fort without escort
The party then walked through the
main barracks circled the parade
ground. looking the barracks over
from the outside, and then mounted tho
ramparts of Battery Parrot. where th.
President inspected with n show of deem
interest the twclvc-inch guns. which
in time of war will he called upon TO
keep hostile ships out OF the water
ways which lead to Washington. Bal
timorc. Newport News, Richmond and
Norfolk.
II was while OH the ramparts that
the president received the invitation
10 attend the launching, the messenger
explaining that the exercises would
be delayed If the President should ac-
cept the invitation. Mr.. Wilson then
led the way down the barracks and
breakwatcr. making the exit from the
fort through the officers quarters.
Fully zoo persons had gathered on the
pier. and volley OF handclapping and
cheers greeted the nations chief execu-
tive. The greeting again was cordial
ly acknowledged.
During the Presidents absence the
sailors in charge OF the launch from
the Maynowcr had gathered some white
boards. out of which they had con-
siructcd temporary platform ut the
point the party would board The launch
Ihe president seemed greatly pleased
by TINS show of sentiment. and Mrs
Continued on Second Pagc.)