The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-02-24
B i T F { 7 {: D
BY ROUGH
SEAS
Storm Worst Fleet Has Expe=
rienced in Any Port
During Trip.

Fort Monrot, Va, Feb. 23 The bad
weather greeting the battleship fleet
at the Virginia capes, the worst the
ships have experienced in any port on
their way around the world, continued
today, Storm signals were hoisted on
the beach ard during the afternoon a
stiff southeaster set In. The ships,
safely at anchor. paid little attention
to the blow, but the little white and
gray steam launches were buffeted
by the winds and waves.
That part of the roadstead running
west from Old Point Comfort pier
seemed fairly choked with fighting
craft today The two long lines Of
the combined sQuadrons Of Admiral
Sperry and Admiral Arnold, stretched
away from the dock. almost as far
as the eye could reach, the gray ships
of the stay-at-homes fleet fading away
in the mist overspreading the harbor.
Nearly one-half Of the ships began
coaling despite the weather. All came
in with bunkers nearly empty. after
the long and stormy run from Glbral-
tar 1t Is hoped that the last Of the
ships will have been coaled by Satur-
day. in order that the men may parade
In Norfolk on that day. A committee
from Norfolk visited the flagship Con
nectcut today to extend an invitation
to the men of the feet to be the city's
guests Saturday. but Admiral Sperry
had gone TO Richmond. There Is lit
tie doubt that the Norfolk invitation
will be accepted, however, and that
several thousand men Will be sent to
parade. This will be the first shore
leave the men will have. They are
being kept aboard ship now In antici
patton Of an inspection by Admiral
Sperry.
1t is customary each year to mako
a thorough inspection Of each vessel
In command. and Admiral Sperry had
planned TO make 1t at this time. 1t Is
possible, however, that it may be post
poned until the ships have been dis
tributed to the navy yards.
Admiral Sperry Will leave for Wash
ington Friday night. and whether or
not the inspection is to occur here will
be determined after his return.
Admiral Sperry sent his reports re-
garding the cruise to the navy depart
ment These. when completed, will
form an official history of the entire
crouise around the world.
The battleship Vermont. of the first
division of the returning fleets. is
yet In quarantine. A case of small
| pox developed on board.
| One Of the most interesting sights
was the departure of large number
of enlisted men. whose terms of SER
vice had expired. AS they left. they
were given lusty cheers by the sailors.
Negro boys and porters lettering
about the deck reaped harvest from
the homecoming sailors, who, dis
| daining to carry their own satchels and
| bundles, handed them over to the boys
to be taken TO the railroad station or
trolley cars. The blue Jackets brought
home all manner Of souvenirs from ev.
cry country visited
| A number Of the sailors leaving were
long-enlisted men who undoubtedly
will come back into the service be
fore three months have elapsed II
they re-enlist within ninety days they
will be rated as having never left the
navy and will receive the increased
pay which comes with every re-enllst
ment-
Lieutenant Commander Ridley Nc