Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-02-28
COAST ARTILLERY ALSO N LINE
Officers entertained at Luncheon by
Citizens committee--city Brilliant
. iy Illuminated at hisht-some Paid
Tribute Of Silent Admiration-6lue-
Jackets Made Superb Showing.
OBv Associated Prcss.D


Ing the first American city to enter
tain the blue Jackets OF tn" American
battleship fleet after their long cruise
around the world.
Two thousand of the sturdy. trim
hooking young men who make mp the
greater part of the enlisted personnel
OF the fleet paradcd through the
principal streets Of the city during
the forenoon and afterwards were
feasted and feted at tn" splendid ne"
Naval Y. NJ G. A. building. completed
since the fleet set sail on its won
derful voyage
Celebration Goes On.
Nearly 200 officers from the fleet
also were entertained at on elaborate
luncheon al the Monticello Hotel by
the citizens committee.
Tonight. although the sailor men
are once more fairly slowed away IN
their hammOcks. aboard the various
ships Of the fleet. Norfolk Is cOnttn-
uii,r the celebration of the homecom'
ing.
The downtown section OF the city
In brilliantly illuminated with seem
ingly endless festoons of incandescent
lishts and there was an illuminated
parade during the evening. which was
replete with uniquely designed floats
and eQuippages. .,
Instead Of the welcome to our city
signs which have greeted the men
wherever they have gone during the
mast fourteen months. the banners
which stretched on Norfolk's streets,
and on the fronts of many gaily deco
rated buildings. held out the more
significant words "welcomc home
Marches were Admired.
The splendid appearance OF and the
soldlerly bearing OF the tidy bluejack'
eta as they marched through the
streets could not fail to elicit the
warmest admiration.
The people OF Norfolk. to whom ma.
val displays are old, old stories. and
who are Enthusiastically undcmon-
sstratiye, were vastly impressed. and
paid q tribute of silent admiration
and pride which had deeper mean
ing than the cheers which broke no"
and then from the thousands who
thronged the streets and sidewalks
along the line Of march.
All OF Norfolk seemed to have
turned ont to witness the review OF
Z the bluejackets. and there was spon'
taneous cheer when the sailors first
came into view behind an escort OF
coast artiller:; from Fortress Monroe
Cheers for Individual Features.
There were more cheers for the
men of the battleship Virginia. the
Vermont companies proudly exhibiting
their red battle trophy flag won al
the targets Of Manila Ray: for the
ships bands that played Dixie and
for the many other notable features
. In the notable procession.
Thirty-two companies In all were
landed from the fleet this morning
q, the Old Point Comfort dock ant
transported to this city on steamers
chartered BY the local entertainment
committee.
They were accompanied by eich
companies Of coast artillery from For
Monroe and were met by several com
panies Of marines and blucjack"t:
from the Norfolk navy yard.
Swinging oIt Of Brooks avenue int
CRANKY and thence into Main, the mel
Of the fleet passed through almirin'
throngs. who in their cagcrncss Il
! observe the liue jackets who had sucl
a great share In the successful Ccnis
or the sixteen American hattlCship
around the world. forgot all but n
first spontaneous cheer Of weirom
until one OF the ships bands cam
along playing Dixie.
Tumuituous Welcome.
Then the crowds broke into IL
multuous tribute which was caught u
all the way down the line.
The men from the Virginia receive
q 1veritable ovation.
The blucjackcts from tho nom" sta
fiou also received a lions shar" 9
the applause along the entire lin"
March.
Detachments ot the Virginia y;
tfoual Guard wore also in the paTad
which was on" of the most piCtu'
csque and interesting martial p
geauts ever seen here.
In traycr<iag Main street the sai
ors aud their escort passed Cortp
Of honor IN front Of III" r'vi"~in
stand composed 81 hundreds OF vet"
ans of both the Confedcrat" and u
len armies.
Admiral y. n Taussig. commander
az the Norfolk navy ward. revtev'
the parade. and vas saiuted by /"
nf the men in passing.
The biucjackcts made spiend'
showing IN spite Of their long sta
% board ship. u vas tho firs' tim
they had appeared in compani'
ASHORE IN some months. hi; the
SEARCHING was compared most 'svo
ah,y With that Of tho army represent
Hives
The you'hful appearance ~ the sa'
= ers elected much comment and inc
bsagtng shroushort was IN rscn
sraes1d .rsbufc 10 the enlisted pc
ounneI o. tho navy Of To-Day
Fosrseea Of the sixteen SHIPS IN