The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-02-26
FLEET At ANCHOR,
WATTS INSPECTION
Men Prepare for Participa-
ton in Parade at Nor
folk Tomorrow.

NORFOLK. Va, Feb. 26.-F'or the first
time since its return home. the At
lantic feet is today riding peacefully
al anchor in Hampton Roads. The day
is an ideal one for this season of the
year. clear and cool and the white sides
OF the great ships OF war glistening in
the bright sunlight. lend beauty TO this
scene, the greatest marine picture OF
modern times. With the calming of the
waters Of the Koadstead. visiting be
tween ships and the shore was renewed
this morning and the steam cutters of
the war vessels, together with MANI
private small craft dotted the waters
~ they darted from ship to ship, car
rylns sightseers. The scene was an
animated one
Now that coaling has been practi-
cally completed, the ships are being
prepared for inspection which NAV take
place immediately upon the return Of
Admiral Sperry. Officers and men are
To-Day getting ready for participation
IN the parade that is to be held in Nor
folk tomorrow in their honor After
the parade, the officers will be enter
tanned at the Monticello Hotel, while
the enlisted men viii have luncheon
at the Naval Y. NJ. c. \. building.
The parade will be one of the biggest
events of it's kind ever known in Nor
folk There viii be $500 men and Off
GERS from the fleet, two battalions of
Coast Artillery from Fort Monroe,
eleven companies of sailors and marines
from the navy yard, the Fourth Reg1-
ment, First Company Coast Artillery,
two field batteries OF the Virginia mill
tia. and several camps of Grand Army
and Confederate veterans in line The
veterans will form a Gordon of honor
in front Of the stand from which the
procession Will be reviewed By Gov
.TrrHH1H Nc H.. a nW
of the feet and other nOtables.
Great crowds are already assembling
here for the parade, which VIII move
shortly after 10 O'Clock and complete
the route in about two hours. The Of
tcerS and men viii return to the ships
at 8 o'clock. Hundreds of sailors are
ashore on liberty, the battleshlp VII
Sinia having sent a, party of 40 ashore
last night From now on liberty parties
will be allowed daily Icy the various
ships Of the fleet.
Norfolk is the mecca Of the men of the
ueet. the local committee having put or
a free ferry steamer between Norfolk
and Old Point The new Naval Y NJ. g.
A. is headquarters for the bIuejackets
and petty officers. This building, just
opened, cost 100000, and is the gift OF
John d. Rockefeller TO the enlisted men
of the United States Navy 1t is mod
eFn IN every respect It was announced
today that the dedication of the build
ing viii take place on March Il The
dedicatory address will be delivered by
Ri. Rev. =. NJ. Randolph, bishop of the
Protestant Episcopal Diocese Of South
ern Virginia. Others who will deliver
addresses are Alfred r. Marling, vii
liam Sloane, and ". 2. Miller, of New
York. members Of the international com
mittee-
A picturesque figure in the waters oi
Hampton Roads today is the old frig2tC
Hartford, Admiral Farraguts flagship
which will be used TO take a lot Of Tner
20 Washington for the inaugural cere-
monies. The contrast between this rep
resentative of the Old navy and the new
slins is an object lesson 70 sailors.