The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-02-23

was bearing down upon the reviewing
boat. The scene, like that at the de
parture of the fleet, was one which the
president probably never will forget
1t set all nerves tingling with patriotic
pride, for there is no more inspiring
sight than a long column of we'll
drilled fighting machines.
On the other side of the incoming
armada were gathered scores of ex-
cursion steamers which grew thicker
and thicker as the warships ploughed
their way to a home anchorage.
The excursion steamers, the tugs
and the launches were keeping up a
continuous roar of salutes from the
vari- toned whistles and the thousands
aboard, as well as the throng on shore,
were cheering in a chorus, which car
ried it's welcome home far across the
waters to ears that had not heard so
sweet sound in all their $4,000 miles
of cruising through the seven seas of
the world.
The Connecticut and all the ships
in her furrowed wake were dressed in
cruising fashion for filing in review.
"cIose Aboard"
Majestically the Connecticut steamed
toward the Mayflower, a seven mile
line of fighting vessels at her heels.
In their natty uniforms Of blue the
sailors of the ships We're manning the
rails, "close aboard; shoulder to
shoulder, they stood stiffly at attetion
along the sides of the 10000 ton ship
an almost unbroken human line from
forecastle to quarter deck. Officers
on the bridge and decks stood with
swords drawn and in special full dress
uniform.
AS the Prov of the Connecticut
of the Mayflower, the band on board
the flagship began to play THE Star
Spangled Banner" The president
DOTTED his silk hat and stood at atten-
ton in salute to the flag. AS the last
strains of the national anthem died
away the roar of another salute shook
the air. This time it was the Con-
necticut alone that fired. Formidable,
self-reliant, fairly bristlng with
high -calibred guns, she steamed by
the Mayflower a splendid example of
naval architecture, In the wake of the
Connecticut came the other vessels.
Comes to Anchor.
The MayfloWer came to anchor in
the center Of the fleet Swift little
steam launches had already been low
cred and We're darting to the various
ships to gather up the commanding Of
ficers for call on the president. Last
ly, the four admirals Of the fleet en-
tered the launches, in which their cap
tains already were seated, and the start
for the MayfloWer was made. Admir-
al Sperry's launch was the first to
reach the starboard gangway of the
presidents yacht and he was ushered
aboard with flare of trumpets and
few strains of a lively march.
President Roosevelt advanced from
his station on the quarter deck to cor
daily grasp Admiral Sperry's hand
Then came the captains of the first di-
vision and the succeeding admirals and
captains of all the divisions and ships
of the returning fleet. The command
ing officers of the auxiliaries, the
Yankton, Culgoa and Panther, also
came on board and their greeting was
as sincere and cordial as that extend
ed to the flag officers
Thanks Them All.
President Roosevelt warmly con-
graduated each of the officers per-
sonally and then collectively he for
mally thanked them and all the Off
GERS and men under them for the part
they played in making the cruise such
a brilliant success.
The flag and commanding officers
were on the Mayflower less than half
an hour. The president, accompanied
by Admiral Sperry and his aides, be-
gan a series of visits to divisional flag
ships. He went first to the Connecti-
cut Again the side of the flagship was
manned. The president was received
aboard with the most elaborate cere-
monies provided by the naval regula-
tions. Coming over the side the pres
ident was saluted. Again, as he left
the ship, having spoken briefly to the
officers and men, the salute of 21
guns were fired. From the Connecti-
cut the president went in turn to the
Louisiana, the Georgia and the Wis
consin. Aboard each ship full honors
were paid.
When the president returned to the
Mayflower late in the afternoon the
notable reception and review of the
fleet was at an end. A presidential
flag was hoisted on each of the flag
ships during the presidents visit and
was hauled down as soon as he de-
parted over the side in leaving