Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-23
What Happened to Battle Fleet
When World Betting Was Done
Glorious Welcome Home From Nations
Pilots and From Thousands of Their
Fellow Americans and From
SWeethearts and Wives.

at III O'Clock on the morning of February
30 at certain point just inside the Vir-
presidential salute of twenty-one guns
| There were dozens of men standing with
watch in hand, curious to note whether a
battleship fleet could circle the world and
keep schedule to the very second.
1t is now a matter Of record that the
stroke of six bells-11 o'clock by. the
landSmen's time-was drowned in the
thud of the Connecticut'S Saluting battery
on time to the second.
AS by magic there doomed from out of
the seward nlists a whole forest of masts
and fighting tops. long line of smoke
stacks, growing steadily and swiftly, and
from them arose rolling cloud of smoke
as from the conflagration of world
Ma gnif1ed by the haze, the ships grew and
necticut, looking a trif1e seaworn and
somewhat Careworn, for as flagship she
had been in charge Of all the rest and
had led them throughout the 43.0S4 knots
of this woodworking tour.
Then was unrolled a scene which some
Turner Should have been on hand to
paint-the leading ship bursting from out
of the sea-blown mists. the red, needle
like flash of her guns as she drew past
the Mayf1ower. to disappear in the mist
beyond; the red. needlelike flash from the
grim sides of the others as they emerged
from the mist, made their salutes and
went on in the wake Of their leaders. each
officer of the deck saying to himself
'400-yard interval as his eye marked
the stadimeter to see that the prescribed
interval was observed.
And still they came. Did ever before
any one see so many ships and such big
ones? Was there never to be an end to
the passing of this armada. so long drawn
out? Flagship after flagship went by,
each with its division churning astern and
at the prescribed interval. Yet still from
out of that mist, which screened all
things seaward, came the steady drum of
guns and the faint, far-off winking needle
points of red.
And that scant 4OO-yard interval. 1t
was around the world that these ships had
travelled at that short steaming distance
from each other. One recalled the dictum
of the grim admiral who led it out from
Hampton roads: eff you are to lose them
better lose them in time of peace. In
war they would have TO maneuver at this
distance" And at this distance they did
maneuver around the world and back
again.
The voyage was over, the cruise COM
pleted, the ships home again. safe and
sound at the very spot where they had
waved farewell to the President on the
Mayf1ower fourteen months ago and
headed out to sea on a voyage unequaled
In the history OF navies and nations.
They were back again. bringing mes
sages of peace from far-dstant lands,
loaded down with the compliments of hos
pitable peoples. Their trophies are not Of
war. but of friendship; their wounds only
those OF excess Of entertainment.
There was scampering and scurrying
Oh board. Soma phores were signaling
orders; officers were hurrying about and
nimble sailors were jumping to posts,
always with an eye to shore. Now the
single line formation was broken.
The ships moved like dancers in a
stately minuet to take position in double
column and cast anchor. They swung
around in huge circle, with the flag
ship anchored off Old Point Comfort and
the rear going on further up stream.
AS anchors splashed down there was
a quick transformation. Long streamers
of flags ran up to the mastheads, cruising
| trim was cast aside. 1t is holiday and
play day and home-day now.
There was half an hours pause, like the
intermission between the acts of drama.
The Mayfower. after all thefghting ships
were long past her, got up anchor and
steamed slowly I'm toward the new stage
setting. taking n position at the head Of
the long line formed by the two lines of
battleships.
Down from the sides of the fagships
little launches dropped. and soon We're
scurrying toward the Mayfiower. bearing
the admirals to report to the President.
Admiral Sperrys launch had jack of
blue at the bow. all the others had red.
They ran alongside and Admiral Sperry.
splendid in uniform of blue. with yards of
gold lace. sprang UP the companionway.
Mr.. Roosevelt was waiting to receive
him. Etiquette prescribed that he should
take station on the afterdeck, while his
naval aid, Capt. Sims. stood at the head
of the ladder to meet the arriving officers.
and with much ceremony conduct them
aft to be formally presented to the Pres
ident. Mr.. Roosevelt was impatient He
wanted to break over the line and give
| them an impulsive welcome.
| AS Admiral Sperry approached the Pres
| ident jumped forward without waiting
| for the regulation form of introduction
and seized both of Sperry's hands and
| wrung them with great fervor and energy,
slapped Sperry on the shoulder and almost
| Rugged him. Their words of greeting
| were lost in a tumble Of rapid-fire ex-
CARNATIONS
Secretary Newberry and Assistant Sec
rotary Satterlee Joined the two, and for
| a few minutes they were engrossed in
consultation over some official matters