Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1909-02-15
Tasks Heretofore Believed
Impossible for Modern Iron
cIads Performed With Ease
by Admiral Sperry's Ships,
VESSELS RETURN IN FIRST
CLASS FIGHTING SHAPE
Now Half Way Across Allan
tic on Last Lap of Cruise;
Fleet Is Due at Hampton
Roads Next Monday.


Old Point Comfort. Va, Teb. IL
Half way across the Atlantic ocean,
on the last long reach OF their spec
tacular cruise around the world. the
sixteen battleships of the United
States Atlantic fleet are steaming to-
day in leisurly fashion towards the
anchorage grounds Of Hampton
Roads. from whence they sailed lust
fourteen months ago. During these
months of record steaming the hcav-
lly armored fighting vessels have
Travelled approximately $4,000 miles.
and are returning in condition still
tit for "a frolic or fight" The
cruise has been veritable expedition
OF the seven seas, and tasks hereto
fore deemed impossible for the mod
ern ironclad have been accomplished
with an ease bordering on the COM
monplace.
The stories of the cruise have been
succeeding cha nters of receptions,
banquets. balls - norrS.aaking. but
back of all this relaxation and en-
tertaining in the hosptable ports of
the two hemlspheres has been test
of men and material which has placed
the American navy in an enviable po-
sition before all the world The en-
gine room efficiency in the longer legs
OF the journey developing new and
unexpectedly vide steaming radius
for battleship; the facility in fol-
lowing the motions of the flagship in
the fleet squadron and divisional
manouvers which came with con-
stant experience at sea, and above all
the marvellous records made at the
targets in Magdalena and Manila
Bays tell of the real work and the
substantial accomplishments that
have marked this most notable peace
demonstration among the navies of
the world
The previously arranged schedule
of the journeys from port to port had
been adhered to in a remarkable
manner, except in two instances
when violent storms made full speed
too dangerous and uncomfortable To
offset these lapses from punctuality
the fleet has made some of its long
est runs two whole days ahead Of
time. None OF the undertakings i'm
posed upon the ships or the men has
been too difficult. The cruise how
ever. was not Inaugurated without
serious misgivings at home and
abroad Victor NJ. Mctcalf. of CALI
fornia, was secretary of the navy
when the cruise began. After the
ships had set sail from Manila with
homeward- bound pennants flying, |
Mr.. Metcaif said
When the purpose Of giving this |
assemblage Of battleships the privi-
leges and advantages Of a practical
cruise was announced. criticisms from
high technical quarters were heard. |
It was suggested that the undertake
ing was too monumental: that bat |
tleship was too vast aud complicated |
a piece Of mechanism to send around !
the globe on any ordinary occasion !
that dangers more than multiplied |
with numbers in such a case; that
disaster lurkcd on every submerged |
ledge and was borne on every un-
known tidal current: that the skcl- |
etons OF some Of the ships would |
doubtless be- left in the Straits OF |
Magellan: that II the fleet should sue |
ceed in rounding South America. IL |
was reasonably certain that the ndi- |
vidual ships would, one By one. ar
i've Win machinery lpOSt anu diiionl /
unscrviceable, with crews reflcctng |
the demoralized condition of the ma
-erial. and that "A woeful spectacle |
IF failure would thus be presented.
"As to material. the cold facts arc !
hat the ships have practically taken |
care OF their own repairs on this /
cruise. The repair lists turned IN az |
he Cavite naval station were negli-
yible."
That the experience gained on the |
,ruise will be Of unending benefit TO |
the navy Is indicated from the fact |
hat probably one-half Of the entire /
personnel OF the naval esta blishment /
IN the epoch-making 1
rip. Three Of the sixteen ca ,tains /
'yho sailed in command OF vessels are !
-eturning home as rear admirals. /
Eight other captains are return
ng in command of the same ship on |
which they began the journey of the /
world. From rear admiral down To 1
the training has been I
such as no other naval cruise ever 1
afforded. Among the enlisted men 1
he training has been even more val |
liable. Landsmen shipped just be |
lore the start and utterly green in the |
ways OF the deep. are coming home /
An integral part OF wonderful fleet /
and loyal believers in all I
fGnufins.ed nt. pao.. GoI,.,,n,, ~