The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-02-23
FLEET At HOME
AFTER VOYAGE
AROUND WORLD
Grand Review of the Battle
ships as They Steamed
Into the Harbor.
BOISTER0US WELCOME
OF SHORE BATTERIES
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT IN &c
sTAsIEs OF DELIGHT AND MA
VAL OFFICERS ARE HAPPY.

Fortress Monroe, Va, Feb. 22.-"Not
until some American fleet returns VIC
torious from a great sea battle will
there be another such homecoming,
another such sight as this. / drink t.
tie American navy"
This was the toast of President
Roosevelt today as he stood radiautly
happy in the cabin of the little cruiser
yacht MdyfloweT at Che conclusion of
the review ard the ceremonies attend
ing the welcome home of the American
battle ship fleet. lie vas surrounded by
the admlrals ard captains of the six
teen wOrld-encirclps vessels, brilliantly
attired in al the sold lace and para-
phernalia of special full dress uniform,
and every glass was raised in response
to the presidents suggestion.
We stay-at-hOmes also drink to the
men who have made US prouder than
ever of our country" added the presi-
dent and again the toast was pledged.
Response of Read Admiral Sperry.
when the fleet sailed from San
Francisco. Mr.. President" replied Rear
Admiral Charles 5. Sperry, you sent
US a message saying that ours was d
heavy responsibility and a great honor.
That we have today fulfilled the re-
sponsibility makes this the proudest
moment of our lives. / say we advis-
eddy in speaking of the fleet, for no
one man can do what has been done
without the loyal aid and cooperation
of every man on the fleet"
Thus briefly the commander in chief
of the returning ships made his official
report to the commander in chief of
the army and navy.
Joyous Occasion for Roosevelt.
The president was in the same joyous
mood as he was when the ships set sal
fourteen months ago and to those who
had also witnessed that notable depar-
ture of the first real battle squadron
ever gathered under the American flag,
he constantly expressed his enthusiasm
over the safe and triumphant return Of
the fleet which was dispatched under
his orders on a cruise which It was said
was too hazardous for any such body Of
ships to undertake.
DO you remember the prophecies of
disaster?" asked the president.
well, here they are" he added
pointing to the ships, returning after
fourteen months without a scratch.
say it is magnificent"
To the men and junior officers the
pANSlUCul EADI EGStu iltH dEftEf tctNlJft
and the thanks Of the country for the
prestige which the cruise of the fleet
had given to the American navy by
making visits TO the four divisional
flagships, the Connecticut. the DOuisi-
ana, the Georgia and the Wisconsin.
On Board the Connecticut.
On the Connecticut were gathered de-
tachments of bluejackets from ali 0f
8
the same was true of the companies OF
the other flagships. Coming aboard the
Connecticut with the crew naming the
rails, OF drawn up at attention ON the
quarterback and afterbTidge. with the
band playing The Star Spangled Ban
ner" ard the forward guns firing a
salute of twenty-one guns in his hon
or, the president passed first down tho
long line of officers along the star
board rail and had a word of cordial
greeting for each one. Previously on
the Mayflower he had said a personal
word of cOngratulation to all of the
flag and commanding officers. Among
them were many personal friends Of
the president, and these he fairly en-
braced after the fOrmalities Of their
first salute had ended. Constantly du-
ring the reception on the MdyflOwer
the president would take Admiral Sper-
ry by the arms and lead him off to one
side for a confidential chat. On the
Connecticut the president climbed upon
the barbette or steel foundation of the
aftertuTret, with its prOtruding 12-inch
rifles and in the shadow of those great
guns he briefly addressed the crew.
Narrowly Escaped a FALL
In order to reach the shelf Of the
barbette above the deck the president
had to step first upon water hydrant.
His foot slipped when he made the ini-
tial attempt and he narrowly missed
a fall which might have proved seri-
Gus.
AS he finally made the gun platform
the crew cheered Justify. The president
interspersed his prepared remarks free
" with asides and he plainly caught
the fancy of the men when he told
them he was immensely satisfied with
the gunnery work thus far accom-
pIished.
You have done Al in smooth wa
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