The Topeka state journal., 1909-02-22

today made their first appearance in
an Atlantic port.
The battleship fleet and it's escorting
squadron of four battleships and five
cruisers arrived at the southern ocean
drill grounds 80 miles off the Virginia
capes, yesterday, and while there made
ready for today's review and inspec-
ton. The news that the fleet was al
intense excitement in all the cities bor-
dering Hampton Roads and at the first
streaks of the coming day residents of
Norfolk, Newport News and other near
some previously selected point of van
tage along the borders of the ocean or
bay.
| Virginia Beach, offering one of the
first opportunities for a glimpse of the
incoming squadrons was sought by
thousands. The ramparts of Fortress
Monroe were black with spectators and
wherever a place could be found along
the waterfront the eager onlookers were
gathered.
The battleships picked up their reg
ular cruising speed Of ten knots an
hour early this morning. Brasswork
brilliancy and wherever paint work had
been marred on the journey home,
fresh coats of white and buff applied
yesterday made the ships as immacu-
late in appearance as they were on that
beautiful day in December, 1907, when
they sailed away on a world cruise.
Coming of the MayfIower.
When the battleships pointed their prows
at daylight for the gateway of the roads,
the Mayflower, with the president and his
party on board, was steaming down Ches-
apeake bay to the anchorage ground at the
tail of the horseshoe, channel way lead
ing around Thimble shoals-where four
teen months ago the president had stood
on the bridge of the same trim little yes
sci to review the outgoing fleet and bid
it GOdSpeed en- its epoch-making journey.
On that occasion the president said the
S9i Of ppf Tf Cil11T1l he d.
ing of homogeneous body of warships on
an extended practice cruise. 1t was a
while he was present to witness the sailing
in his capacity as commander-in-chief of
the event one of sufficient Importance to
require speech or other special cere-
mony.
Today with their splendid record of
achievements and victories of peace be-
hind them, the sixteen battleships came
home to welcome and to a ceTemonious
been more jubilant and sincere
torious se from from some some famous famous bat at
tie ground The president addressed not
only the officers of the fleet gathered
upon the quarterback of the Mayflower,
but he visited the four divisional flagShipS
and there he addressed the crews in terms
impossible for Mr.. Roosevelt to visit each
of the sixteen returning vessels, represen-
four divisions were gathered upon the
flagships and they in turn took the presi-
uSul greetings 10 lnelr SnlpnaUeS.
The MayfIower had not long lain at
anchor when the tracings of smoke on
the horizon told of the approach of the
fleet, and soon the mastheads of the Con-
necticut could be picked up with glasses
through the wide swung capes. Then the
white null of the famous flagship flashed
into view. Out of the distance the fleet
grew rapidly until at last the end of the
white column in front could be dis
tinguished. The gray clad vessels of the
escort grew far more slowly above the
horizon and served a splendid dernon-
strat1on of the value of neutral color
for the naval vessels in time of war