Omaha daily bee., 1909-02-22
BIG FLEET REACHES HOME
CONTINUED from First Pase.)

AAkAN VI = NnANAuA oAAk w Nh0 AANSNs bN-
ing ready at all times to make any repairs
that might be needed. FITTED with FORCES
and all the equipment Of a modern station
ashore, the presence OF this floating ma
chine shop has lent a feeling OF security
to every commanding officer in the fleet.
The Panther, on a larger and more COM
plete scale. has been TO the world cruising
fleet what the better named Vulcan was
to the American naval forces In Cuban
waters during the Spanish american war.
The collier Ajax also came in today. a
late messenger from the fleet, Golfers
have no home other than the restless ocean
and 30 the black Ajax flew no homebound
pennant today. The Yankton slipped in
last Wednesday with the sentimental
streamer notably absent from the aftermast.
This busy dispatch boat returned from
Washington today, q v~eritable treasure
ship. In its strong room tonight are golden
eagles, double eagles and half eagles to
the amount of $500. 900, to be used in paying
off the officers and men upon their ar
rival. The men have not had q payiay
for some time ana the Jingle OF American
gold In their pockets In a home port will
sound good to the bluejackets.
Vessel for Onacers' wives.
The naval yacht slyph. one Of the vessels
placed at the disposal OF the president. ar
rived today to take out to the reviewing
ground tomorrow the wives Of the admirais
and captains Of the fleet.
Mrs. sperry, Mrs. Schroeder. Mrs. VAIN
wright and Mrs. Potter, wives Of the flag
officers Of the four divisions of the fleet,
all are here, ana more than one-half Of
the wives of the captains also will be on
board the syIph tomorrow. The naval
yacht Oneida, assigned to the militia of
the District of Columbia, is here, with Gen.
eral George II. Harries OF Washington and
a party on board. Vessels of the virginia
and Maryland oyster navies'' arrived this
afternoon and threw out their rainbow
dressing lines Immediately upon anchoring.
Several lighthouse tenders and revenue cut
ters are here to lake out parties of gov
eminent officials. army officers. etc.
The decision of Admiral sperry not to
attempt to receive the hundreds of wire
less messages addressed to officers of the
fleet has occasioned much woe here among
the navy widows and the host of sweet
hearts who have gathered to greet the
homecoming officers.
Cheer up. ducky darling. I'll be waiting
at the dock" reads one OF the messages,
while others are filled with more love and
kisses than the wiresless possibly could
carry.
Rear Admiral Tsussig. commandant of
the Norfolk navy yard and the fifth naval
district, arrived this afternoon to arrange
the last details OF the fleets anchorage.
h naval tugs that will form a patrol
and keep the pathway of the fleet clear
Of trespass began to arrive this afternoon.
The torpedo boat destroyer Worden will be
the flagship of the patrol and is fleet
enough to overtake and warn off any ven
tureesome craft that attempts to cut across
the battleship column or to run through
the forbidden iines.
Plan of Review.
The plan Of tomorrow's review briefly is
as follows:
The Mayflower, with the president and
his party on board. will arrive at the Tail
of the orseshoe in Chesapeake bay about
eight miles east Of the Old Point pier and
about equal distance from the gateway Of
the capes at 0 O'Clock. The Mayflower will
be in approximately the same position it
took up fourteen months ago when the fleet
ventured forth on the cruise that was to
make the American navy familiar and ia
nous in the ports Of the world.
The Connecticut. leading the single coll
umn Of battleships and escorting cruisers,
viii point the way in the capes at 10
o'clock and will pass the Mayflower
promptly at II o'clock, The line Of ships
IT is now timated will be a little more
than seven miles long and will be one hour
in passing. The battieships will proceed
slowly to the anchorage grounds running
west from the OLD Point pier. ana the May
flower. picking up it's anchors, will follow
the last of the war vessels into the roads.
The presidents yacht will take a position
in the center Of the fleet and at Q O'clock
the flag and commanding officers will be
received on board by President Roosevelt.
Later the president. accompanied by the
commander-in-chief OF the fleet, will go
aboard the Connecticut, Louisiana. Georgia
and Wisconsin. the divisional flagships, to
address the men. Returning to the May
flower " the conclusion OF the visits. the
president will return at once to Washing
ton, arriving there early Tuesday morning.
Tomorrow night Admiral speFry and sew
enty-five officers OF the fleet will be the
guests OF the Navy league OF the United
States at It's annual dinner at the Cham
berIain hotel. The league will hold It's an
nuai meeting Tuesday at noon in the Cham
berlain.