The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1909-02-24
BIG FLEET HOME AGAIN
BattIeships Welcomed by Pres
ident at Hampton Roads.

He Reviews Homecoming Vessels on
the MayfIower-crowds on Excursion
Boats Greet sperry and His Men.
Much Powder Burned In Saluting,
Festivities Planned For officers and
Bluejackets.
Our big world-circling feet is at
home again. Riding safely at an
chor in the waters of Hampton Roads
after welcome such as never before
warmed the hearts Of returning sail.
ormen are the sixteen bully" vessels
that have sailed around the world. 1t
10 impossible to resist the temptation
to say that they look as "fit for fight
or frolic" as they did when they
sailed away from here more than four
teen months ago under the command
Of Admiral Evans.
When the Mayflower, bearing Presi-
dent Roosevelt and guests, Secretary
Newberry, Assistant Secretary Satter-
lee and others, sailed down the har-
Dor the guns of Fort Monroe told the
thousands OF visitors to these shores
that the welcome to the fleet would
begin soon.
Saluting the President.
When the Mayilower reached the DO
sition selected for her off Thimble
shoal light her anchor was cast and
the party aboard prepared to await the
coming of Admiral Sperry and his
ships. Word was sent to the admiral
that his commander-in-chief was wait
ing for him, and the Connecticut hoist
ed the sigral for the fleet to follow
the flagship in. Steaming at fair
rate, the Connecticut moved past the
Mayflower, her guns booming out the
presidential salute The Mayflower
responded, and the great naval review
was on.
While the fourteen vessels Of Sper-
ry's feet that have made the circuit or
the world, covering more than $4,000
miles since they left here in Decem-
Der, 1907. received the greatest amount
of applause the two battleships which
Joined the fleet on the Pacific coast
and the vessels OF Admiral Arnold's
conveying squadron received their due
share of attention. Probably the great
est amount Of applause greeted the ap-
pearance of the Connecticut, which
was the flagship of the fleet through
out the cruise. and the Nebraska, which
made its first appearance on the At
lantic seaboard.
Twenty-Five Warships In Line.
In reviewing the feet the Mayflower
occupied almost exactly the same po-
sition she did when the president bade
godspeed to the sixteen battleships at
the beginning of the cruise. The fleet
which saluted him Monday, however,
presented more imposing appearance
than the outbound armada. Then six
teen warships sailed south; Monday
twenty-five war vessels, including
twenty battleships, passed in review
before the commander-in-chief.
When the last ship had passed the
Mayflower the presidential yacht
weighed anchor and turned to take up
her position between the Connecticut
and the Louisiana. Hardly had she
cast anchor again when boats were
cleared from the sides of the vessels Of
the fleet and Admira! Sperry and the
commanders and executive officers Of
the ships were rowed to the Mayflower
to pay their respects to the president.
After these official calls were paid and
the naval men had returned to their
own vessels the president visited in
turn the flagship of each division and
met and greeted the assembled officers
and the representative enlisted men
sent to pay the respects Of the jackies
to him.