The Cairo bulletin., 1909-02-15
GREAT AMERICAN FLEET is
sTEAMING FOR HAMPTON
ROADS ANCHORAGE.
ITS WORK AT MESSINA
Thousand Mile Cruise
Made On Schedule Tme-AIl
Repairs On Board-Men
Benefited.

Half way across the Atlantic ocean |
on the last long reach of their spec
taeular cruise around the world, the |
six teen battleships OF the United
states Atlantic Fleet are steaming
today in leisurely fashion towards |
the anchorage grounds Of Hampton
Roads from whence they sailed Just :
fourteen months ago, During these
months of record steaming the
heavily armored fighting vessels
have travelled approximately $50 O.
miles ana are returning in condition
still fit for "froiie or a fight. The
cruise has been a yertable eHpGdi.
ton Of the seven seas ami tasks
heretofore deemed impossible for
modern ironclad have been accom-
nIished with an ease bordering ON
the commonplace.
Schedule Adhered To.
| The previously arranged schedule
of the journeys from port to port had
been adhered to in remarkable man
liner except in two instances when
uinre-.4 .-t-.-rae made run speed too
| dangerous and uncomfortable. 10
offset these lapses from punctuaity
the fleet has male some Of its long
est runs two wohle days anead of
time. None of the undertakings inn
posed upon the ships or the men has
been too difficult, The cruise, how
ever. was not inaugufated wdlhou.
serious misgiyings at home AMI
abroad
Death in the Ranks.
Death has twice invaded the ranks
of tho. captains who sailed with the
fleet, but in both instances the Off
GERS had previously been reli7yed
from duty Captain Henry McCrea,
lof the Georgia a most popular officer
ldiad soon after his return TO the
asst following REIMBURSEMENT Of com
mand at San Francisco Captain
Ia Merriam. who took the Missouri
to the Pacific coast, a capable man,
also del within comparatively
short time after turing his vessel
lover to a successor. Rear Admiral
ISperry. who returns as commander
Iin.chief. sailed as commander Of the
fourth division of the feet, being
ranked by both Animals Evans and
Thomas
The Western Trip.
When the ships set sail out Of San
Francisco for the western trip there
were many predictions that they
would be left In the Pacific and that
lovents might make sucn course
desirable. Invitations had been ac-
ccpted for visits to Australia, to
China and Japan and there was
never q deviation from the outlined
lplans The feet had done exactly
what the authorities at Washington
saij it would but in a manner which
surprised and gratifed them to the
fullest extent.
The story Of the fleets visit TO
Honolulu. 10 AueklaEI. sydney. Mel
bourne and Albany in Australia: To
/ Yokohama to Amay to Manila an
~ the ports Of call on the way hum.
Through the Suez are too recent to
need recall The welcome extended
boz Australia and Japan lett nothing
ir be asked either in lavishne-s OF
entertain nent or IN sincerity Ct pur-
rcse.
IN Earthquake Zone.
The h1ttleshirs. had their sche iuie
brought them sooner to the eastern
end Of the Suez. might have PLAYED
a notable part I'D succeTing the
? stricken people Of Messiua A. il
vas the services of the ships we're
Offered hut The relief plans had a.
ready developed so as Mt to Pc
quire them. Tn way trio hatt'tshiu
tsfl however accomplished much
store -FiTs BADEN wita supplies fer
th. fEhfiHg vessels were despatched
~ the home government anil OF r. r-
. and meI we're glad % give uu the
solid foudstuf= and ielicaci s To the
esuhquaEe sufferers a large sum
If money vas contributed from she
fest AMI the FIRST division ~ four
vessels under Admiral Srerry eai el
- 81 Maple t1 eEfre=s srmuaIhr ami
sorrow The hartieship Illinois was
IIhe nr'F one % tha American heit-
liua vessels to really enter TIE ear. D.
IWaFe zBe. This shin Hent 60 Me-
sila ard goo American sali0 s.
. searches the ruins until thev had fe-
icovered TIRE boIles Of American Goa
mi Cherev and his wifa.
u