Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-02-23
With Homeward Bound PEN
nants to Masts and Bands
Playing STARS Spangled
Banner" Arrives Home.
GUNS BOOM SALUTE
AS SHIPS IN REVIEW
PASS BY ROOSEVELT
President Arrives on Yacht Mayflow-
er as Great Fighting Vessels Are
Sighted Off Capes Thick Weather.
Roosevelt Receives Officers.


with homeward bound pennants steam
ing far behind them. twenty-eight bands
playing The Star spangled Banner" and
saluting cannon roaring tribute to the
president OF the United States. the battle
ship fleet OF the American navy ended its
worlds cruise here today after steaming
IN review OF the president. whose eagle
crested nag OF blue was at the main mast
OF the cruiser yacht Mayflower.
Anchor In Hampton Roads
The sixteen white battleships finally
east anchor in the same fairway Of
Hampton Roads. whence they started
fourteen months ago on the notable jour
ney,of 5000 miles. The journey of home
coming was written uDon the face Of
every bluejacket and every officer on
board the sixteen ships. The long cruise,
the visits TO many Of the most famous
ports OF the world. the homage that has
been paid 70 the fleet by every nation IA
vored on the calling list, have been sourc-
IS Of intense interest to everyone aboard
the famous vessels, but unquestionably
there was no scene IN all the world to
compare in beauty with the familiar land
= marks passed by the battle fleet as II
steamed a triumphant and selfreliant
force through the Virginia capes today
and entered the hospitabIe waters Of
Chesapeake bay and Hampton Roads.
There was an atmosphere of final &C
compIishment about today's events that
lent 20 them a new significance.
Cruised Around World
The American navy had set a new cruis-
ing standard for the other navies OF the
world to strive for. She led a beautiful col
umn OF battleshfps out Of Hampton Roads
i moths ago. and she has piloted- the
fleet through all the seas, the flagship
Connecticut steamed again today al the
head OF the returning squadron. In the
wake OF the white ships Of the home
coming fleet. followed a welcoming host
in Rray-four battieships and five power
fuI cruisers being IN this escorting col
umn sent a thousand miles TO sea to
convey a preliminary word OF welcome 70
the famous ships.
The day OF the Homecoming dawned
with prospects Of weather as fair as the
cIoudIess day in December. 1907. on which
the fleet set sail. an Overhanging SHADOW
OF gray clouds, showing clearing streaks
OF red and blue TO the eastward at sun
rise.
lust before a. m. however, fog
hank suddenly set down and set the whis-
ties and bells OF the many craft in the
roadstead screeching and tolling their
notes OF warning. The fog lifted again
within an hour but left a promise OF
a gray day. which was anything but at
tractive.
FOREIGN naval attaches. large parties Of
government officials, high officers OF the
army and navy. were aboard the neet
Of welcome, which steamed out today 10
greet the incoming vessels and 10 wit
ness the review by the president at the
Tafl-of-the-Horseshoe-
The MayHower. which came down from
washington last night with distin-
euished party on board. cast her anchor
IN the same waters today. where she
took up position at the sailing Of the
feet. After the ceremonial greeting OF
the battleships and their escort. the May
novFer steamer herself at the end OF the
long column into Hampton Roads. and
when the homecoming vessels had anch-
cred. she took Up a position in the center
OF the feet
Admiral sperry and the other flag on
GERS. with the captains commanding.
were received on board. and to them
President Roosevelt extended the cordial
thanks which he afterwards expressed
anew TO the officers and crews Of the
four divisional fagships. the Connecticut,
Louisiana. Georgia and Wisconsin, which
he visited late in the afternoon.
A Day of History
The boom OF the sunrise gun echoing
over the moat OF picturesque old Fortress
Monroe marked the beginning OF a day
that added another chapter Of thrilling
beauty and interest to the historic wa
tiers OF Hampton Roads. first made IA
nous by the battle Of the Monitor and
Merimac.
II required q vivid imagination to look
back over a span OF forty-odd years to
picture the fury OF that deadly conflict
between the two first ironclads OF their
day and TO compared their tiny strength
with a modern battleship Of the class Of
the Connecticut
In the battleship and cruiser sQuadrons
tina titled by the Mayfiower today and
salutsd the presidents flag at the main
OF the graceful little cruiser yacht. there
wererepresented Al. 40 tons Of water dis
placement
Miles of Sea Demons
Every battIeship in commission in the
navy had a place in the long line. There
were twenty OF the heavily belted YES
sells. fifteen being among the original sig
teen that sailed away fourteen months
zsO-
The only vessel missing in the line to-
day was the Alabama She came home
with the Maine last October and both of
these ships had the distinction Of going
all around the world. even IL they were
excluded from the feet itself.
The Maine served today as flagship Of
the squadron Of vessels sent to meet the
incoming feet and as the wireless dis
patches have told. she was greeted at
sea with all the enthusiasm Of an old
friend.
The Mayflower at HIS a. m. pulled up
anchor and followed the fleet to it's des-
tination In Hampton Roads. off Old Point
Comfort
ing Fort Monroe.
All the ships completed their anchcring
and 80 p. m. and the flagship was ready
Go receive the president az ? D. m