The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-02-22
FAMOUS BATTLESHIP ARMADA
RETURNS FROM CRUISE
AROUND THE WORLD
Entrance Into Hampton Roads, Where Grand Spectacle Reviewed by
President Roosevelt Witnessed by Thousands Who ubianty
Welcome the. $4,000 Men and 900 Officers to Their Nat
i've ShoreExcursion Steamers, Tugs and Launches
Respond to the Triumphant Salute of
the Fighting Ships

Fortress Monroe, Feb. 22.-Sixteen
batteships from round the world with
an honor guard Of four mighty men.
fighting men, ships OF the line to the
number of a score; sixteen battleships
that crcled the globe with their
shotted tongues all mute with never a
grain of powder spent, except in
friendly salute,
Into Hampton Roads they sailed to-
dav: this feet with history in It's wake.
Just at noon, when the guns of Fort
Monroe were firing the national salute
In honor Of George Washington birth
day, an auspicious moment for home
coming.
AS a spectacle the arrival of the
homeward-bound fleet was marred by
a steady rain which continued through
out the day.
The rain could befog the vision anil
wet the powder. but 1t could not damp
en- the spirits of those who gathered
about the roadstead TO welcome homo
ships and men.
The shore line was black with
path Of umbrellas. l-'s- .'s-..-
jealousy the men and women be-
hind the umbrellas guarded their po-
-sitlons and stood for hours In the rain
TO give cheer when the great fleet
steamed In.
Tho first those ashore knew of the
arrival OF the ships between the capes
was the distant booming of the guns,
dull beating away out in the fog.
The reports OF the saluting guns faded,
fbo0 he or int 10
catch the first glimpse of the fleet.
Just as the Connecticut appeared, the
national salute sounded from the tort
and the ships, were echoed from coast
to coast In single column, they
came In procession into the roads,
until all came 10 safe anchorage and
the homeward-bound pennants were
furled at last Not the slightest hitch
occurred during the review and an
cho-ing OF the fleet
The health officer boarded the Con-
necticut and granted a clean bill Of
health 10 the entire fleet When the
Mayfower came up the harbor, the
feet saluted the President by a din Of
Whistles In a quarter Of IN hour,
flagship launches took the admirals,
their staffs and the captains OF the
fleet aboard the Mayflower. The Pres
dent addressed them and then started
on mis- rounds of the divisional flag
ships.
President Roosevelt. in his address,
said:
Admiral Sperry. officers and men
OF the battleship fleet: Over A year
has oil
this harbor and over the worlds rNn,
and this morning the hearts of all who
say You thrilled with pride as tho
hulls OF the mighty warshlps lifted
above the horizon. You have been In
the Northern and Southern hemis-
pheres, four times you have crossed
the line: you have steamed through all
the great oceans; you have touched
inc coast OF every continent Ever
your general course has been west
ward, and now you come back 10 the
port from which you set sail This is
the FIRST battleship fleet that has ever
circumnayigated the globe. Those who
perform the feat again can but follow
In Your footsteps v,eef
The little torpedo fiotilla went with
you around South America through
the Straits or Magellan, to our own Pa
cihc coast. The armored cruiser
squadron met YOU and left you again,
"hen you were half way around the
world. You have falsifled every pre-
uictlon OF the prophets Of failure. In
all your long cruise not an accident
worthy OF mention has happened TO a
single battleship, nor yet to a cruiser
or torpedo boat
You left this country in a high
state OF battle efficiency and you re-
turn with Your efficiency increased; !;
better prepared than when YOU left
not only In personnel but even In ma
terial.
D"ring Your world cruise, you have
Aken your regular gunnery practice
end, skilled though you were before
"i.n the guns. you have grown more
sNiied still and through practice you
nave improved In battle tactics though
mere there Is more room for improve
nent than in your gunnery. W
incidentally, l suppose / hardly
need say that one measure of YOUR At
ness must be your clear recognition of
he need always steadily to strive to
Iehner yourselves more At; II you ever
gro" 10 think that you are fit enough,
you can make UP your minds that
rom mat moment you will begin to go
backward.
AS a war machine. the fleet comes
PACK In better shape than IL went ont
IN addition. YOU the officers AMI mon
v, his formidable lighting force have
SHOWN yourselves the best of all poB
eipic ambassadors and heralds OF
peace Wherever YOU have landed
you nave borne yourselves so as tc