Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1909-02-25
FLEET IN 4 Storm
WIND AND RAIN MAKE ~ Uh.
pLEAsANT FoR CREWS OF
sATrLEsHiPs.
ENLISTED men DEPARTING


Fort Monroe. Va, Feb. 24.-The bad
weather which greeted the battleship
aoot ct the Virginia Capes Monday,
tho worst the 16 ships have expert
enced in any port visited on their
way around the world, continued
Tuesday. Storm signals were hoisted
on the beach and during the after
noon o stift southeaster set In, driving
. singing rain before 1t. The ships
safely At anchor paid little heed to
he blow, but the little white and gray
steam launches running between ship
and shore wero bufieted by winds and
waves.
That part Of the roadsted running
west from the Old Point Pier seemed
tairly choked with fighting craft Tues
day. The two long lines Of the COM
bined sQuadrons Of Admirals Sperry
and Arnold stretched away from the
dock almost as far as the eye could
reach, the gray ships Of the stay-at-
home feet fading away in the rain
and mist which overspread the har
boz. The ships were made snug and
tight for the storm and only a small
American ensign at the after Flagstaff
and the commanding officers flags at
the peaks were to be seen Tuesday in
place Of the rainbow streamers which
Monday clothed the vessels Of the
neet in gala attire,
Nearly one-half of the ships began
coaling Tuesday in spite Of the wealth
or. All Of the vessels came in with
bunkers nearly empty after the long
and stormy run from Gibraltar. 1t is
hoped that the last Of the ships will
have been coaled by Saturday in or
der that the men may parade in Nor
folk on that day.
One Of the most interesting sights
Tuesday was the departure Of large
number Of enlisted men, whose terms
ofBerVice had expired. AS they left
the side of the vessel on which they
had served, the departing men were
given lusty cheers by the sailors. Still
attired in their sailor toys the men
reached the government dock loaded
down with all manner Of luggage.
Negro boys and porters lettering
about the dock reaped q harvest from
the home-going sailors. who disdain-
ing to carry their own satchels, and
bundles, handed them over to the boys
to be taken to the railroad station or
trolley cars. The blueiackets brought
home all manner Of souvenirs from
every country visited.
Richmond, Va, Feb. 24.-The south
land Tuesday paid homage to the
globe-girdling feet in this old capital
of the Confederacy.
Eve welcome you to the hearts of a
people who yield to no one in devotion
to the American navy nor in loyalty |
to our flag" was the sentiment ex-
pressed at a luncheon In the Jefferson
hotel Tuesday afternoon by Mayor
Richardson in welcoming Rear Ad-
miral Sperry, Rear Admiral Vain
wright and 81 officers.
The luncheon. at which men Of all
walks of civil life, all ages and OF
unyielding loyalty to the cause Of Lee
and Jefferson, fraternized in staunch
fellowship with the fighting men Of
navy was given by the Richmond |
chamber Of commerce. Admiral
Sperry received an ovation. He re-
ferred to This first separate welcome
since we have returned to our Shore
said he had not read his official mail
since arriving on tie American side,
and smilingly added Il don't know
where TIE secretary Of the navy Is
and what is more, don't care" |