The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-02-26
BATTLESHIP FLEET
AT END OF VOYAGE
American Armada is Greeted by
President-An Imposing Sight
Great Crowds Attended.

Old Point Comfort, Va, Feb. 22-
With homeward-bound pennantS
steaming far behind them Is bands
playing The Star Splangled Ban
ner," and saluting cannon roaring trl-
butte to the president Of the United
States the battleship fleet Of the
American navy ended its world 5
cruise here today after steaming in
review Of the president, whose eagle
crested flag Of blue was at the main
Of the cruiser yacht, Mayflower.
The sixteen white battleships final
" cast anchor in same fair way OF
Hampton Roads, whence they started
IA months ago on a notable journey Of
$4,000 miles. The JOY Of home-com-
ing was written upon every face OF
the blue-jackets and every officer on
board the sixteen ships, tie long
cruise, the visits to any Of the most
famous ports Of the world, and thu
homage that has been paid to the
fleet by every nation favored on the
calling list have been sources Of IN
tense interest to everyone aboard the
famous vessels, but unquestlonably
there was no scene in all the world
to compare in beauty with the famil-
lar landmarks picked up by the battle
ship fleet as it steamed in triumphant,
self-reliant and efficient force through
the Virginia capes today and entered
the hospitable waters Of Chesapeake
Bay and Hampton Roads.
New Cruising Standard.
The American nay has new
cruising standard for other navies of
the world to strive for. Ase she led
the beautiful column Of battleships
ready for any emergency and bidding
defiance to storms or to the rlotous
channels of strange waters Of two
hemispheres, out of Hampton Roads,
"a months ago, as she piloted the
fleet through all the seas and into all
the ports of the long cruise the flag
ship, Connecticut, steamed again to-
day at the head Of the returning
squadrons.
The day Of homecoming dawned
with prospects of weather as fair as
the day in December, 1907, on which
Ghe fleet set sail. Foreign naval at
taches, immense parties Of govern
ment officials, high officers Of the ar
my and navy were aboard the fleet
of welcome which steamed out to
greet the incoming vessels and to wit
uess the review by the president at
the tail of the horseshoe.
The Mayflower, which came down
from Washington last night with
distinguished party Oh board cast her
anchors in the same waters today
where she took up position at the
sailing Of the fleet.
After the ceremonial greeting Of
the battleships, and their escort, the
Mavflower steamed herself at the end
of the long column into Hampton
Roads and when the homecoming YES
sells had anchored, took up a posi-
ton in the centre of the fleet.
Admiral Sperry and other flag OF
fcers, together with the captains COM
manding, where received on board
and to them President Roosevelt ex-
tended cordial thanks which he after
wards expressed anew to the officers
and crews Of the four divisional flag
ships, which he visited late in the af-
$JernO0n.
At a. m. fog settled down, but
lifted in an hour. \ light rain be-
gan to fall about 8 a. m. with pros
poets that it would continue through
out the day.
Reviewed by President. ..
AT 1888 the flagship Connecticut
reached the Mayflower and the 24 in
coming warships fired simultaeous
salute Of 2l guns in honor Of the pres
ident. The president made his wa! to
the bridge Of the Mayflower while the
salutins was in progress. He had not
long to wait before the imposing line
was bearing right down upon the re-
viewing boat 1t sent the nerves ting
ling with patriotic pride for there is
no more inspiring scene than long
column of we'll drilled fighting ships.
One either side Of the incoming
armada were gathered scores of eS-
,cursion steamers their way to the
home anchorage. AS the prov of the
Connecticut reached the bridge of