Albuquerque citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1907-1909, 1909-02-22
BATTLESHIPS FINISH
REMARKABLE TOUR
OF THE WORLD
Giants of the Navy Anchor
Today in Waters They Left
Fourteen Months
Ago.
PRESIDENT THANKS
OFFICERS AND CREWS
The Fleet Reviewed by Roose-
welt. Who Later Extended
His Good Wishes TO
the Men Who
Soilcd.

Old Point Comfort, Feb. 22.-With
the homeward bound pennants
streaming behind them, twenty-eight
bands playing The Star Spangled
Banner" and saluting cannon roaring
a tribute to the president of the
United States the battleship fleet of
the American navy ended its world
cruise today. After steaming in re-
view before the president, whose
eagle-crested flag of blue was at
the mainmast of the yacht Mayflow-
er, the sixteen white battleships fl
nally cast anchor in the same waters
of Hampton Roads whence they
started fourteen months ago on the
notable journey of 4j 600 miles.
The joy of home coming was writ
ten upon the face of every blue jack
ct and every officer aboard the ships.
The long cruise, visits to many fa-
NOUS ports of the world, the homage
rai' hE' sVois 1Ggica ~ the capins
list, has been the source of intense
interest to everyone aboard the ves-
sels But unquestiOnably there was no
scene in all the world to compare
with the familiar landmarks viewed
by the crews and officers of the bat
tleships as they steamed through the
Virginia capes and entered the peace
able waters of Hampton Roads.
Big Crowds There.
Thousands upon thousands of peu-
pie from all parts Of the world lined
the shores in spite of the rain, which
began to fall at nine o'clock. Foreign
&f,g
of government officials. high officials
of the army and navy were aboard
the fleet of welcome which greeted
the incoming fleet outside the har-
Dor.
Admiral Sperry and the other flag
officers, together with the captains
commanding, were received on board
the MayflJwer by the president and
to them the chief executive extend
ed his cordial thanks. which he after
wards extended anew to the officers
and crews of the four divisional flag
ships. The presidents speech to Ad-
miral Sperry the officers and crews,
follows:
Others Must Follow.
admiral Sperry, officers and men
of the battleship fleet:-Over a year
has passed since you steamed out of
this harbor and over the worlds rim;
and this morning the hearts of all
who saw you thrilled with pride as
the huils IF the mighty warships lift
ed above the horizon. You have been
in the northern and the southern
hemispheres; four times you have
crossed the line; you have steamed
through all the great oceans; you
have touched the coast of every con-
tinent. Ever your general course has
been westward and now you come
back to the port from which you set
sail This is the FIRST battleship fleet
that has ever circumnavigated the
globe. Those who perform the feat
again can but follow in your foot
steps.
"The lite torpedo flotilla went
with you around South America
through the straits Of Magellan TO
our own Pacific coast. The armOred
cruiser squadron met You and left
you again when you We're half way
around the world. You have falsified
every prediction of the prophets Of
failure. In all your long cruise not
an accident worthy of mention has
yet to a cruiser or torpedo boat. You
left this coast in a high state Of bat
tie efficiency and you return with
your efficiency increased; better pre-
pared than when you left not only in
personnel but even in material.
I'VE Are Proud of You"
During your world cruise YOU
have taken your regular gunnery
practiced and skilled though you
were before with the guns you have
grown more skilled and through
practice you have improved in battle
tactics, though here, there is more
room for improvement than in your
gunnery Incidentally I suppose
hardly need say that one measure Of
your fitness must be your clear rec
ognition Of the need always steadily
to strive TO render yourselves more
fit; if you ever grow to think that
you are fit enough you can make up