The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1909-02-26
BIC FLEET is
HOME AGAIN
BaffIeshIps Anchor In Hampton
Roads
WELCOMED BY THE PRESIDENT

He Reviews Homecoming Vessels OF
the Mayflower-crowds on Excur
sion Boats Greet sperry and Hi
Men-Much Powder Burned In sa'
Iutng-Festivities Planned For Of.
ficers and BIuejackets
Fort Monroe, Va, Feb. 22.-Oul
fleet is home again. Riding safely
at anchor in the waters of Hampton
Roads after welcome such as never
before warmed the hearts of return
ing sailormen are the sixteen bully
vessels that have sailed around the
world 1t is impossible to resist the
temptation to say that they look as fit
for fight or a frolic" as they did
when they sailed away from here more
than fourteen months ago under the
command of Admiral Evans.
When the Mayfiower, bearing Presl-
dent Roosevelt and his invited guests,
Secretary Newberry and others, sailed
down the harbor today the guns of
Fort Monroe told the thousands of
come to the fleet would begin soon.
immediately the smoke began to rise
from the stacks of the scores of ex-
cursion vessels chartered to bear the
thousands of visitors out to sea to
welcome the fleet. Turning their
eli
after the Mayfower and took up their
positions as near the presidential
yacht as safety and the naval regula-
tons would permit.
When the Mayfower reached the po-
sition selected for her off Thimble-
shoal light her anchor was cast and
the party aboard prepared to await the
coming of Admiral Sperry and his
ships. Word was sent to the admiral
that his commander in chief was
waiting for him, and the Connecticut
hoisted the signal for the feet to fol-
low the flagship in. Steaming at a
fair rate, the Connecticut moved past
the Mayflower, her guns booming out
the presidential salute. The May
flower responded, and the great naval
review was on.
81 Fro'o that time until the last of the
twenty-five returning warships had
sailed past the Mayflower and paid
It's respects to the president in noise
and smoke there was a continual roar
of artillery that shook the Virginia |
hills and made conversation on the ex-
cursion steamers a difficult task. The
civilian vessels added to the din with
sirens and whistles, amid which the
cheers of the visiting thousands anx-
ious to do their share in the noisy well
Come was all but lost. II was pan
demonium such as was never before
heard in this historic harbor.
While the fourteen vessels Of Sper-
rvs feet that have made the circuit OF
the world, covering more than AZ 600
miles since they left here in Decem-
Der. 1907, received the greatest i
amount of applause, the two battle
ships which Joined the feet on the Pa
cific coast and the vessels of Admiral |
Arnold's conveying squadron received |
their due share of attention. Prob |
ably the greatest amount of applause
greeted the appearance of the Con-
necticut, which was the flagship of the
feet throughout the cruise, and the |
Nebraska, which made its first ap-
pearance on the Atlantic seaboard.
In reviewing the fleet the Mayfiower |
occupied almost exactly the same po-
sition she did when the president bade |
,godspeed to the sixteen battleships at
|the beginning of the cruise. The feet |
which saluted him today, however,
presented a more imposing appearance |
than the outbound armada. Then six !
teen warships sailed south; today !
twenty FIVE war vessels, including !
twenty battleships, passed in review
before The commander in chief.
When the last ship had passed the |
Mayfower the presidential yacht
weighed anchor and turned to take up
her position between the Connecticut
and the Louisiana. Hardly had she
cast anchor again when boats were
CLEARED from the sides OF the vessels
OF the feet and Admiral Sperry and
the commanders and executive officers
of the ships were rowed to the May
flower to pay their respects to the
president. After these official calls
were paid and the naval men had re-
turned 10 their own vessels the
president visited in turn the flagship
Of each division and met and greeted
the assembled officers and the repre-
sentative enlisted men sent to pay the
respects Of the tackles to him.
Tonight will be memorable in the
history OF Fort Monroe. Newport
News and the surrounding towns.
The focus Of the receptions to the re-
turning sailors will be in the Cham
berlain hotel, where the Navy league
will give a dinner to Sperry and his
commanding officers. The dinner will
be followed by a ball. and for several
DAYS there will be a round OF gayeties
here. Most Of them. Of course. will
be reserved for the officers, but the
enlisted men have not been forgotten.
Seven Cases Of Scarlet Fever
Newport. r. L.. Feb. 22.-No new
cases Of scarlet fever have developed
since Saturday among the apprentices
at the naval training station. There
are seven cases under treatment.