The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1909-02-18
The Battle Fleet Returning.

The following news comes from Old
Point Comfort, Va. on Feb. Ia Half
way across the Atlantic Ocean on the
last long reach Of their spectacular
cruise around the world, the sixteen
battleships OF the Omitted States At
lantie Fleet" are steaming today IN
leisurely fashion towards the aDchor-
age grounds of Hampton Roads from
which they sailed just fourteen
months ago. During these months OF
record steaming the heavily armed
fighting vessels have travelled APP
proximately 45 600 miles and are re
turning in condition still fit for "a
frolic or a fight.p The cruise has
been workable expedition of the
seven seas and tasks heretofore
deemed impossible for the modern
ironclad have been accomplished with
an ease bordering o II the common
place.
The stories OF the cruise have been
succeeding chapters of receptions,
banquets, balls and merrymaking,
but back of all this relax alton and
entert aiming in the hospitable ports OF
the two hemispheres has been "A test
of men and mate rial which has placed
the American navyin an enviable po-
sition before all the world. The engine
room efficiency In the longer logs Of
the journey developing new and
Unexpectedly wide steaming radius
for a battleship; the facility In fol-
lowing the motions of the flagship in
the feet, squadron and divisional
maneuVeTs which came with constant
experience at sea, and above ali the
marvellous records made at the tar
gets in Magdalena and Manila bays
tell of the real work and the sub
stancial accomp lishmeuts that have
marked tins most notable OF peace
demonstrations among the naYies of
the world.
The previously arranged schedule
of the journeys from port to port has
been adhered to III remarkable man
ner EXCEPT n two instances when
violent storms made full speed too
dangerous and uncomfortable. To
offset these lapses from punctnality
the feet has made some of its largest
runs two whole days ahead of time.
None of the undertakings imposed
upon the ships or the men has been
too difficult. The cruise, however,
was not lnaugurated without serious
misRiyings at home and abroad.
That the experience gained on the
cruise will be of amending benefit to
the Navy il indicated from the fact
that probably one-half of the entire
personal of the naval establishment
participated In the epoch making
trip. Three OF the sixteen captains
who sailed in command of yes
sells are returning home as rear
admirals. Eight other captains are
returning in command OF the same
ship on which they began the journey
of the world. From rear admiral
down to midshipmau the training has
been such IA no other naval cruise
ever afforded. Among the enlisted
men the training has been even more
valuable. Landsmen shipped just be
fore the start and utterly green in the
ways of the deep, are coming home
an integral part of wonderful fleet
efficiency and loyal believers in all
that the American navy stands for
Desertions on the trip have been few.
The men have taken pride in the
cruise and it will be a constant boast
with them that they started to the
west from Hampton Roads and came
home with prows still turned in that
direction. They know the world Is
round, and they know what 1t is to
work and play over $1,000 miles OF the
watered surface of the globe.