The sun., 1919-07-20
GREAT FLEET SAILS
FOR PACIFIC COAST
Half Of q. s. Naval Power
Sent to Guard West for
the First Time.
MORE SHIPS TO FOLLOW
Trip to Be Made in Battle For
mation-Daniels Will Join
at San Diego.

OLD POINT COMFORT. Va, July 10
from its anchorage here at $3.50 this
morning bound for the western coast via
the Panama Canal No unusual cere-
monies marked the departure Of the six
superdreadnoughts and thirty destroyers
and tenders which are leading the way
for the naval craft now assigned to
Pacific waters
Tho beginning OF the voyage marks an
epoch in American naval history. For
the first time the feet has been divided
with exactly half OF its power assigned TO
guard the western seaboard. For the
first time also the strategic value Of the
canal Is to be fully tested when Admiral
Hugh Rodman moves his armada
through to Pacific waters. And for the
first time Americans of the Far West
are to see with their own eyes the full
pomp and power of the navy that has
been their pride for years.
Through the night the great feet lay
blinking and winking its countless mes
sages across the silent roadstead. The
big dim battle craft and the slim de-
stroyers, vague shapes with brilliant eyes
OF light under a cloud streaked sky.
seemed to be talking among themselves
in tho dark.
All Ready for the Start.
Daybreak brought a colorful sunrise
poking long crimson fingers of light past
the capes to wake the ships for the event.
full hour. In from the Atlantic also
came the last tide to serve them, swing
them bow on for the start.
Admiral Rodman had set s 80 for the
sailing hour. He would tolerate no de-
lay. wait for no stragglers. his captains
were told with characteristic force. The
first sunbeams saw barges. gigs and
motor sailers hurrying on last minute err
rands. The roadstead was busy with
them. Below decks stokers toiled and
black smoke clouds arose over the feet.
Gradually the stir died away. Boat
after boat was hoisted dripping to its
chocks on deck. Nimble barefooted
tackles FASTENED to their tasks OF flashing
and making all shipshape aboard for the
voyage. The white jackets of officers and
men stood out plainly against the grin,
gray war paint
Ashore little groups Of wet eyed wom-
en- - sailors wives or sweethesrts -
crowded dockhead and verandas to wave
godspeed. At s o'clock the bugles called
softly from the fleet. The -hurrying white
figures on each wide deck were suddenly
still. II was "colors," and as the strains
of the distant bands rose and fell on the
breeze afloat and ashore men in the white
Of the navy or in army khaki stood rig
idly at attention
Not Rodman's whole Command.
Formidable as the feet looked steam
ing out on the voyage that will end for
| some of the ships only after call a,
Honolulu. in mid-Pacific, It represented
only part of Admiral Rodman's forces
The destroyers he took with him were
but quarter of those he commanded
In reserve at Atlantic yards the Others
await crews TO man them.
The main base of the Pacific fleet will
be in Puget Sound. Washington. That
is the destination OF a majority OF the
craft that sailed to-day.
The sailing OF the great feet marks a
complete change In naval policy. a
change growing out OF the defeat OF Ger
| many in the great war. Not while the
German fieet existed nor while German