Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1909-02-23
CANN0NS ROAR
WELCOME TO
FLEET
F0RTY-FWE THOUSAND
MILE JOURNEY COMPLETE
President Personally Thanks
Officers and Men for SpIen-
did Work on GIobe-Circling
Cruise of BattleShipS,


Fort Monroe va. Feb es-"Not
victorious from a great sea battle will
there be another such homecoming.
another such sight as this, | drink to
the American navy"
This was the toast Of President
Roosevelt today as he stood, radiant
~ happy. in the cabin of the graceful
little cruiser yacht, Mayflower. at
the conclusion Of the review and the
ceremonies attending the welcome
home OF the American battleship
fleet. He was surrounded by the adj
mirals and captains Of the sixteen
world -encirclne sossels, brilliantly
attired in all the gold lace and para
phernalia of special full dress uni
form. and every glass was raised in
response to the presidents sugges-
ton.
I'VE stay-at-omes also drink to
the health of the men who have
made us prouder than ever added
the president. and again the toast
was pledged.
when the fleet sailed from Hamp-
ton, Mr. President, Replied Rear Ad-
miral Charles 5. Sperry, You sent us
a message saying that ours was a
heavy responsibility and a great hon
or. That we have today fulfilled the
responsibility makes this the proud
est moment of our lives | say We
advisedly In speaking Of the fleet. for
no one man could have done what
has been done Wit aut the Loyal and
willing cooperation of every man in
the fleet"
Thus briefly the oommander-in-
chief of the returning ships made his
official report to the commander-in-
chief of the army and navy.
The president was in the same JOY
Gus mood as he was when the ships
set sail fourteen months ago and to
those who had also Witnessed that no
table departure Of the first real battle
squadron ever gathered under the
American flag he constantly express
ed his enthusiasm over tho safe ana
triumphant return of the ileet Whlch
was despatched nnder his orders on
long cruise which it was said was
too hazardous for any such body OF
ships to undertake.
DO you remember the prophesies
of Disaster" asked the president
"Wen here they are. he added, point
ing to the ships returning after
fourteen months without "A scratch /
say il is magnificent"
To the men and junior officers the
president expressed his appreciation
and the thanks of the country for
the prestige which the fleet had Civ
en- the American navy. by visiting the
four divisional flagships, the Connec-
I-ticut the louisiana the Georgia ana
the Wisconsin,.
on the Connecticut were gathered
detachments of buejackots from all
of the other ships of that division
and the same was true Of the COM
panics of the other flagships. Com
ing aboard the Connecticut with the
crew manning the rails or drawn up
at attention on the quarterback and
after bridge with the band playing
The Spangled Banner and the
forward guns firing salute of
| twenty-one guns in his honor, the
president passed first down the long
/ line of Officers along the starboard
rail and had "a word of cordial greet
ing for each and every one Pre-
viousiy on the Mayflowcr, he had said
| a personal word OF congratulation TO
all the flag and commanding officers.
Constantly during the reception on
the Mayflower. the president would
take Admiral Sperry by the arm, lead
| him off to one side for a confidential
chat on the Connecticut the presi-
dent climbed upon the barbette or
steel foundation of the after turret
with its protruding 12-inch rifles. and
in the shadow of those great guns
he briefly addressed the crew As
he finally made the gun platform. the
crow cheered Justify The president
intorspcrced his remarks freely with
asides. and he particularly caught the
fancy OF the men when he told them
he was immensely satisfied with the
gunnery work thus far accomplished
You have done Al In smooth wa
ter" said the president. but what
7 want to see next year is a target
practice under the conditions Of rough
wate~"
The bluciackcts on tho afterbrii@c'
started TO cheer. which was csug
up by the white -gloved officers.
For n You over have 10 fight
continued the president. you cannot
choose your water
Again the men burst into chee;
Target work is tho subject nearest
thn sailors heart today The men
are enthusiasts on anything appe--
tairing to Il. and the rivalry between
the different ships is intense. Tn
men cheered again when the prcsi-
dent declared that this was the fret
battle fleet ever to circumnaviga.,
the globe and That any other natio1l