New-York tribune., 1909-02-28
NORFOLK GREETS FLEET
FIRST ~WELCOME HOME. :
TzUo thousand BEUejackets Parade
and Are Feted By To50nspeopte.

n-o-torN Va Feb T-Norfolk enjoyed the dig
tinetion to-day of being the first American CITY u
entertain the bluejackets Of the AInerlesh p3'
ship feet after their long cruise arosnd the "oi41
Two thousand OF the sturdy, tr.nl-looking young
men who make. up the greater part OF me enIistu
personnel of the feet parsded through Che pr
cipaI streets Of the city during the forenoon ana
aftervard were seasted and feted at the splenoid
-. rez-al 7o,n, Mems Christian Association build
Ing comnletea since the feet set sail on its won
derful voyage.
Nearly two hundred officers from the fleet also
were entertained at an elaborate luncheon at the
Monticello Hotel by the citizens conInlltse- 10
night although the sailors are once Inore sa1e.y
slowed away in their harnmocks aboard the VaIl-
Gus ships Norfolk is continuing the celeorauoh o.
the Homecoming The downtown section OF the Cfly
Is brilliantly illuminated with endless festoons OF
incsndescent lights and there was an ihurnlnateo
parade during the evening. which was replete Win
curiously designed floats and equipages'
Instead of the Welcome 10 Our city signs
which have greeted the men Of the feet wherever
they have gone during the last fourteen months the
banners stretched across NorfoIks streets and
along the fronts OF gayy decorated pulIa4hSs
held out the more significant words OF "elcohls
Home"
The SPLENDID appearance and the soldierly bear
tnr of the tidy bluejackets as they marched
through the streets to-day could not fail TO elicit
the warn1est admiration The residents OF NoFloIA
to whom naval displays are old, old stories ana
who are characteristieaily undernonstrarVe' were
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nairation ana pride which had a deeper meaning
than the cheers which broke now and then from
the thousands who thropged the streets and slde-
walks along the line Of march.
AL of Norfolk seemed to have turned out TO wei
come the review of the bIuejackets, and there was
a spontaneous cheer when the sailors first came
into view behind escort Of coast artillery from
Fort Monroe. There were more cheers Tor tIls
men of the battleshp Virginia, for the Vermont
companies, proudly exhibiting then red battle tro-
,,y,ST aae- ar fha Manila
ships bands that played Dixie and for many
other features in the notable procession
The Presidents yacht Mayfower. having aboard
Secretary Newberry OF the Navy Department ar
rived at Old Point Comfort to-day. Mr.. NewberTy
received the usual ea4,.te from both the ships
lying in the roadstead. and the land batteries at
Fort Monroe. At the Norfolk Navy Yard he
observed the operation Of the recently adopted re-
organization plan He probably will leave here to-
night the Mayfowef. reaching washington to-
morrow morning
officers and men viewed with feelings Of keen
regret the further breaking up OF the American
battleship feet to-day. Three Of the ships that
helped TO win for the United States navy the at
nniration OF the nations Of the two hemispheres
sailed away 10 navy yards, making five gaps in
all in the two long lines OF anchored equadroas
Other ships are to go Tomorrow. and by Mon
day it IS thought that only the eight ships which
are 70 furnish brigade OF marching blUejackets
for the inaugural parads at Washington viii he
left IN the roadstead-
The going away Of the ships ar this time means
more than nlere temporary distribution OF the
four divisions II means the last OF the Great
White Fleet" When the ships OF the recrgantzed
feet rendezvous May IT they viii all appear
In new dressing of service gray, and the homo
geneous vessels which even now puzzle the ordi-
nary observer trying 10 distinguish between tho
classes will look more alike than ever.
The Rhode Island the New Jersey and the Kan
sas were The ships sail to-day. They departed
at wide intervals IN The order named. The Rhode
Island IS bound for the New York Navy Yard
Anxious 10 make a good impression as they steam
into New York Harbcr. the men Of the Rhode
Island worked far into the night after coalng yes
terday painting hull and sEperstructure afresh-
The New Jersey IS bound for Boston. but Will
stop at New York fer q day route to land
ammunition at Tompkinsville- The Kansas sailed
for Philadelphia The ohio IS under orders 10
sail tomorrow morning for New York Officers
on all the ships get thirty days leave while
their ships are at the navy yards.