River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1909-01-07
.BATTLESH|PS IN
THE SUEZ CANAL
ATLANTIC FLEET BEGINS THE
PASSAGE THROUGH CHANNEL.
ALL IN GOOD CONDITION
Egyptian Visit Cut Short by Italian
Disaster - Supply Ships Sent
Ahead with Aid for the
Victims.

Suez, Jan. 4.-The United States At.
lantic battleship fleet, completing two
DAYS ahead of its schedule the next to
the longest run of it's world-girdling
cruise, arrived here yesterday morn
ing from Colombo, distance of 3,44O
knots, from which place the fleet
sailed on December 20.
The loss of a seaman from the bat
tleship Illinois, who fell overheard
and was drowned was the only accl-
dent to mar the voyage from Colombo.
The Illinois remained on the scene to
search for the sailor and was a little
behind the fleet.
The stately array of battleships was
an impressive sight. The weather
was splendid and the bay was crowded
with craft, the occupants of which
gave an enthusiastic welcome to the
ships. Despite their long trip, the
warships looked as smart and trim as
though turned out for naval review.
Sorry the Visit Was Brief.
When the ships had come to anchor
the Egyptian and canal authorities
went aboard the flagship Connecticut
and welcomed Rear Admiral Sperry,
who expressed himself as we'll salts
fed with the cruise from Colombo He
regretted that he was compelled TO
curtail his stay in Egypt, but hoped
that at some future time an oppor-
tunity would be given him to visit
Cairo. The admiral spoke OF the Aus
tralasian visit of the fleet as the spe-
cial feature of the trip.
Universal regret was expressed here
that the visit of the battleships was so
brief. 1t had been expected that
representative officer would visit
Cairo and be presented to the khedive
on the anniversary of his accession to
the throne on January 8. A contin-
gent of 500 officers and men left by
special train for Cairo in the after
noon.
Hurrying on to Italy.
The converted cruiser Yankton en-
tered the canal yesterday afternoon
and the supply ship Culgoa passed in
last night. The former has a number
of doctors aboard and the latter a
large supply of provisions and stores.
Both will go to Messina at full speed.
All arrangements were made by wire
less for the ships of the fleet to pass
through the canal as quickly as pos
sible and to coal at Port Said, where
$4,000 tons are stored.
The authorities had made arrange
ments for the battleships to have
right of way for clear run through
the canal.
The Connecticut, Vermont, Kansas
and Minnesota entered the canal at
six o'clock this morning and will ar
rive at Port Said at ten o'clock to-
night The second group, consisting
of the Louisiana, Kentucky, Ohio,
Missouri and Virginia will enter Tues
day, and the third line, composed of
the Wisconsin, Kearsarge, New Jer-
sey, Rhode Island, Georgia and Ne
braska. will start Wednesday. At
Port Said the crews will coal the bat
tleships with all possible speed, so as
to be in position to go quickly to Mes
sina If it is finally determined to send
them there.
Supplies for Quake Victims.
The news of the disaster in south
ern Sicily was received with profound
sorrow by officers and men. In re-
ply to a message from the navy de-
partment, Rear Admiral Sperry said
that he had supplies available for dis
tribution to the Italian earthquake suf-
ferers as follows:
Beverages, $4,000; bread, 100000
pounds; cereals, $4,000 pounds; fruits,
10000 pounds; fresh meat, 10000
pounds; other meat, 100000 pounds;
vegetables canned, $4,000 pounds;
milk, $4,000 pounds, and numerous
other items.
The Culgoa will distribute these pro-
visions. There are six surgeons and
a number of hospital men on board
the Culgoa and Yankton, and they
are taking with them supplies of
cots, blankets, etc. These supply
ships are due to arrive at Messina
January and 9.