Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-07-20
RODMAN'S ARMADA
GETS WELL ON WAY
FOR PACIFIC COAST
Giant Fleet Leaves Hampton
Roads With No Pomp or
Ceremony.
WILL ENTER GOLDEN GATE
ABOUT MIDDLE OF AUGUST
President Wilson to Be There for
Review of Triumphant Passage
Into Harbor.
ADMIRAL TOLERATES NO DELAY
FIFTY Dcstroycrs Create Triangular
Screen Which Envclops Six Great
SupertIrcadnoughts.
ADMIRAL ToLERATEs NO DELAY
Fifty Dcstroycrs Create Triangular
Screen Which Envclops Six Great
Supcrtlrcadnoughts.
Try Annotated prcs, ,

OLD POINT COMFORT. VA, July 10.
The Paciiis Fleet was we'll on its way
tonight on the first leg Of its long voy-
age to the west coast.
None OF the pomp and ceremony
which marked the departure Of the
world girdling Atlantic Fleet from
Hampton Roads In 1907 attended the
sailing today OF the armada under Ad-
miral Hugh Rodman. That Is being
reserved for the triumphant entrance
OF the ships into the Golden Gate
about the middle of August. where
President Wilson is expected to review
them.
Start mt $3.50 O'clock.
After a week in the Virginia road
stead preparing for their voyage. the
grim superdreadnoughts and swift de-
stFoycrs weighed anchor at $50 A. NJ
and turned their prows seward on a
voyage that is to furnish the iirst real
,es, OF me Ianama Canal: and carry
defense.
swinging out OF the capes tho feet
turned southwark in cruising formation
"ith the SIX OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. which
WIN Two Others are TO form the back
pone Of the Pacific naval defense.
steaming within triangular screen
made by fifty dcstroyers. In tina, for
nation tho ships viii remain until
the end Of the iirst ies OF the voyage
Upon its arrival at San Diego. the
nFst STOP on The Pacific Coast, the feet
signed TO Admiral Rodmans command.
and the combined armada will enter
san Francisco harbor. Secretary Dan
ieis will meet the vessels at San Diego
ana accompany them their travels
from port TO port and finally will go 10
honoiulu with several of the craft.
Work Out AInneuyerx.
Plans for the extensive maneuvers
ana Dattle DraCttCeS. In which
VIII engage after the conclusion OF
It's welcome home" cruise along the
and later VIII come battles" with the
Atlantic Flee, and joint fleet exercises
in both the Pacific. and the Atlantic.
The beginning OF the voyage marks
an epoch In American naval history
For the frs. time the feet has been
divided. In fact. half OF its power has
been assigned TO guard INC Western
Eeaboard.
For The hrs, time also the strategic
value OF the canal is TO be fully tested
when Admiral Hugh Rodman. com
nander OF the Pacific Fleet. moves his
armada through TO Pacific waters: and
for the first time Americans OF the
Far West are TO sec with their own
eyes the full pomp and power OF the
navy that has been their pride for
years.
EventfuI Hour Arrives.
Daybreak brought colorful sunrise
poking long crimson fingers of light
past the ca2es to wake the ships for
the eveniful hour. In from the At
lantic also came the last tide TO serve
them. swinging them bow on for the
Admiral Ro,lman had set $50 for the
s sai.n v. h@n, He would tolerate no
tains were told with characteristic
force. The first sunbeams saw barges
Eiss and motor sailers hurrying on
was busy with them. Below decks
stokers toiled and black smoke clouds
rose over the fleet
Gradually the stir died away about
the feet. Boat after boat was hoisted
dripping to it's checks on deck NimbIe.
barefooted 5ackies FASTENED to their
shape aboard for the voyage The
white Jackets of officers and men stood
out plainly against the grim, gray
war paint
Destroycrs Lead Why.
Promptly at $50 destroyer stole
slowly out from its place in line be-
hind the battleships. double string
OF signal flags on the giant New Mexico.
where Admiral Rodmans four-starred
flag tapped lazily above the hooded top
of tho tall cage mast. showed that
the order had been given to begin tho
voyage. The destroyer swung toward
the sea. slipping smoothly down chan
mel. Another followed. and then an
other. spaced Mt perfect intervals.
They formed lane toward the sea.
First to leave her anchorage. tho
flagship New Mexico circled slowly and
swung into the water lane between
the destroyers. On her heels came
the Mississippi, looking like a sister
ship with long overhanging prov
Then, In order. the Wyoming. Arkansas.
New York and Texas steamed down
the moving lane. the tenders closed
in behind and the whole fleet moved
off across the bay toward Farewell
buoy. beyond the capes at sea. where
southerly course will be set for
Panama.