The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-02-16
Thousands of People Have AS
sembIed at Old Point Com
fort to Greet Return>of the
Atlantic Fleet.
i1AnBoR WAS SWEPT
By STORM YESTERDAY
Effort Is Being Made to Have
President Attend Dinner
Given in Honor of Officers
OF the Fleet.

FOTtIcSS MONROE, w., reU- 10.
The advance guard of visitors en-
route here to view the notable naval
demonstration of Monday next and to
participate in the welcome home of
the battle ships under command OF
Rear Admiral Sperry has begun to ar
rive. Hotel accommodations at Old
Point already are at a premium and
quarters are now being sought at,Nor-
folk, Hampton and other cities bor-
dering Hampton Roads
The interest excited by tho sailing
Of the fleet fourteen months ago nat
urally has been accentuated many fold
during the remarkable cruise, and ex-
cursions are to be run from most of
the Eastern cities.
The fair way Of the roads, where the
fleet will anchor next Monday, was
swept today by singing southwest
er that set whitecaps on the tossing
waves. Small crafts did not venture
out and the great stretch of water
appeared gaunt and empty. There was
nothing to indicate the near approach
of the homecoming ships. =.
The program of entertainment here
is still indefinite. as it is not known
as yet just how many of the ships
will be detached following the presi-
dents review and sent to the navy
yards Some 5000 of the bluejackets
from the fleet are to be sent to Wash
ington to participate in the inaugural
parade OF. March, and the Iessela
from which they are to be drfNvn nn.
doubtedly will remain here. for the
men are to be taken to the capital on
naval transports.
Roosevelt May Attend Dinner.
Efforts are to be made to have Pres
ident Roosevelt and his guests on the
Mayflower come ashore the evening
of the review to attend the dinner in
honor of the flag and commanding
officers of the fleet by the Navy lea
que. of which Gen. Horace Porter is
president. This dinner will be follow
ed by a ball and during the stay oi
the ships in the roads there will be q
round Of gayeties. Officers of the
army at Ft. Monroe are preparing te
have a share in the welcome of the
fleet.
The ships are to anchor in practi
cally the same positions from which
they started on their voyIse of the
world December 16, 1907. They were
anchored before sailing in two Ions
lines, but fell into single column te
follow the Mayflower to the reviewing
water off Thimble Shoal light.
Anchoring Maneuvers Feature.
AS understood here, it is Admira
Sperry's intention to bring the ships
| in the capes and past the president.
yacht in two lines of eight ships each
The anchoring maneuvers after th'
ships pass the government pier prob
ably will be the prettiest part OF th'
fine spectacle.
Just what formation is to be takel
by the escorting ships OF the thfr'
squadron under Admiral Arnold is no
yet known. These ships have beel
on detached duty and have had littl
opportunity to drill. They may how
ever. be disposed Of in double lin
formation to conform to the fleet
sailing order.
! In this way the line of ships, whicl
in a single column would stretch owe
five miles of water, will be shortene'
to just one-half that distance. A nun
Der of the navy widows" or officers
| wives, who witnessed the departure O
the fleet from here, and since tina
time have followed or preceded tn
ships all the way around the world
have arrived to see the close of tn
history-making voyage.