The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-04
IN The CANAL.
American Atlantic Battleship
Fleet Reaches Suez
And Begins It's Passage Through
the Channel.
WILL TAKE TWO DAYS
For All of the Vessels to Reach
Port Said.
Biggest Fleet That Ever Went
Through Together.
Will TAKE TWO DAYS

Suez, Jan 4-The battIeships Con-
necticut, Kansas, Minnesota and Yer
mont, composing the first section of the
fleet under Rear Admiral Sperry, start
ed on their passage through the Suez
canal at o'clock this morning. They
are due at Port Said late tonight. The
weather is magnificent, and a large
crowd assembled on the Avenue Helene
to witness the spectacle.
The American auxiliary cruiser
| Panther and the collier Ajax came into
| port last night.
The United States Atlantic battle
| ship fleet, completing two days ahead
of its schedule the next to the longest
run of its world girdling cruise, arrived
here from Colombo, a distance of
| 3,440 knots, from which place the fleet
sailed December 20. The loss of a
| seaman from the battIeship Illinois,
who fell overheard and was drowned.
was the only accident to mar the voy-
age from Colombo. The Illinois re-
NAMED on the scene and is a little
behind the fleet.
Bay Crowded With Craft.
The stately array of battleships was
an imposing sight. The weather was
splendid and the bay was crowded with
craft, the occupants of which gave an
enthusiastic welcome to the ships De-
spite their long trip, the warships look
ed as smart and trim as though turned
out for a naval review.
When the ships had anchored the
Egyptian and canal authorities went
aboard the Connecticut and welcomed
Rear Admiral Sperry, who expressed
himself as well satisfied with the cruise
from Colombo: He regretted that he
was compelled to curtail his stay in
Egypt. but hoped at some future time
an opportunity would be given to him
70 F-f% I,fv NJ. 81
the Australian visit of the fleet as the
special feature of the trip.
Universal regret is expressed that the
visit of the battleships will be so brief.
1t had been expected that a representa-
tive officer would visit Cairo and be
presented to the khedive on the ami
versary of his ascension to the throne
on January 8. contingent of five
hundred officers and men left by spe-
cial train for Cairo this evening.
Will Hurry to Messina.
The converted cruiser Yankton en-
tered the canal and the supply ship
Culgoa followed The former has a
number of doctors aboard. and the
latter latter a large supply of provisions.
Both Will go to Messina at full speed.
All. arrangements We're made by wire
less for the ships of the fleet to pass
through the canal as quickly as pos
sible and to coal at Port Said, where
$4,000 tons are stored.
The authorities have made arrange
ments for the battleships to have right
of way for clear run through the
canal
The Connecticut. Vermont, Kansas
and Minnesota will arrive at Port Said
at 10 o'clock tonight. The second
group, consisting of the Louisiana,
Kentucky, Ohio, Missouri and Virginia
will enter Tuesday and the third line,
composed Of the Wisconsin. Kearsage,
New Jersey, Rhode Island. Georgia
and Nebraska, will start Wednesday.
At Port Said the crews will coal the
battleships with all possible speed. so
as to be in position to go quickly to
Messina If it is finally determined to
send them there
New Years day was passed by the
men of the flet in a continuous round
boxing and foot racing, eliminating
in the evening in a grand entertain
ment on board the flagship Connecti-
cut, consisting of sketch and costume
contest. vaudeville and a minstrel per-
Torrance. The members of the ships
company were the actors and the
evening ended in a grand cakewalk.
the stunning costumes and millinery
for which were made aboard ship.
With colder weather, the officers
and men of the fleet will shift from
their white to the blue uniforms. All
are anticipating interesting visits in
the Mediterranean. Many are now ar
flying visits to Cairo and the
Pyramids. The news of the italian
earthquake was received with pro-
found sorrow by officers and men.
Ismalia.
Ismalia, Egypt. Jan. 4.-The Ameri-
can battleships Connecticut, Vermont,
Kansas and Minnesota that entered
the canal at o'clock this morning
passed here at o'clock this afternoon.
They are due at Port said at IL O'Clock
tonight
Through the Canal
Port Said, Jan. 4-The American
supply ship Culgoa and the scout
cruiser Yankton arrived here this
afternoon, after a smooth trip through
the canal from Suez.
The Culgoa loaded with provisions
sailed this afternoon at o'clock for
Messina. where she is expected to ar
rive Friday next. The Yankton also
will proceed to Messina Immediately
after the arrival of the flagship squad
ron now coming through