Los Angeles herald., 1909-02-23

passed the Mayflower the Connecticut
was steaming by Old Point pier more
than seven miles away and the great
crowds gathered there were cheering
a perfect ecstasy Of welcome enthu-
| SiaSm.
! Each ship as it passed the pier and
| turned to anchor in the two lines of
| squadrons running in a crescent in the
direction of Norfolk received welcome
! as demonStratiVe and as joyous as that
extended to the flagship.
After the ships had anchored it
seemed but a moment before the rain
bow lines of huttering signal flags and
bits of Vari-colored bunting sprang as
| If by magic to the maStheads. In the
line left by the warships the Mayf1ower
gayly dressed herself in honor of the
! fleets return and the birthday OF
| Washington, soon was seen making her
way. The cheering swept in a great
wave up and down the crowded water
| front.
Crowds Look for President
The Mayfiower passed close in shore
and there was tremendous craning of
| necks to catch a glimpse of the presi-
dent and the other distinguished guests
| aboard. Passing Fortress Monroe the
/ presidents flag received the army's S
tribute of twenty-one guns.
The Mayf1ower came to anchor in
the center of the fleet. Swift little
steam launches had already been low
cred and were darting to the warships
! to gather up the commanding officers
for a call on the president. Lastly the
four admirals of the fleet entered the
launches in which their captains al
ready were seated and the start for
the Mayflower was made.
| Admiral Sperry's launch was the first
to reach the starboard gangway of the
presidents yacht and he was ushered
aboard with a flare of trumpets and
few strains of a lively march. Presi-
dent Roosevelt advanced from his sta
tion on the quarter deck to cordially
| grasp Admiral Sperry's hand.
| Then came the captains of the first
division and the succeeding admirals
and captains of all the divisions and
| ships of the returning fleet.
| The commanding officers of the aux
| iliaries, the Yankton, Culgoa and Pan
/ ther, also came aboard and their greet
/ ing was as sincere and cordial as that
| extended to the flag officers.
| President Roosevelt warmly congrat-
| ulated each of the officers personally
and then collectively he formally
| thanked them and all the officers 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 Mayf1ower less than half
an hour. Then the president, accom-
panied by Admiral Sperry and his aids,
began his visits to the divisional flag
ships.
He went first to the Connecticut
Again the sides of the flagship were
manned. The president was received
aboard with the most elaborate cere-
| monies provided by the naval regula-
tions. Coming over the side the presi-
dent was saluted.
Again as he left the ship. having
spoken briefly to the officers and men,
the salute of twenty-one guns was
fired. From the Connecticut the presi-
dent went in turn to the Louisiana, the
Georgia and the Wisconsin. Aboard
each ship full honors were paid
When the president returned to the
Mayfiower late in the afternoon the
notable reception and review Of the
fleet was at an end. presidential
flag was hoisted on each Of the flag
ships during the presidents visit and
was hauled down soon as he disap-
peared over the side in leaving.