The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-02-23
Greatest Fleet Of BattIeships
Ever Gathered Together In.
der One Flag
LONG CRUISE IN NOW ENDED
President Reviews the Fleet and
Mingles His Congratulations With
ohcers In Command - Seahghters
Extended a Royal Welcome.

| FORTRESS MONROE, Feb. p
mot until some American feet re,
turns victorious from a great sea
battle will there be another such
Homecoming; and another such sight
as this. drink the health Of the
American navy"
This was the toast OF President
Roosevelt today as he stood radiant.
y happy at the conclusion OF the re-
view and the ceremonies, attending
the welcome home Of the American
,battleships feet. The toast was
drunk by admirals and captains Of
the feet. RearAdmiral Sperry re.
sponded by calling attention 10 a
message sent to the feet as II was
starting from San Francisco, stat
ing that great responsibility rested
upon Il THAT we have today full
filed the responsibility makes the
proudest moment Of our lives"
The President was in the same
Joyous mood as the day the feet sail.
ed II months ago and constantly ex-
pressed his enthusiasm over its safe
and triumphant return. To the men
and junior officers the President ex-
pressed his appreciation and thanks
OF the country for prestige which the
cruise of the feet had given to the
American navy by making visits to
our divisional iiagships ps-connecticut,
Louisiana, Georgia and Wisconsin.
The day OF the heets home coming
was cold and gray, drizzling down
pour of rain followed up early in the
morning and the fog that threatened
seriously to interfere with arrange.
uients of the MayAower the night
before had her last journey down the
lower Potomac and through Chesa-
peake Bay, for scores OF excursion
craft from Washington and Balh-
more we're striving with her to make
the way through the fog banks.
Promptly at II o'clock fash and
! puff of white smoke from the for
ward bridge of the Connecticut mark.
ID the beginning of the day of sa-
utes' IN addition to the salutes
ired several times in honor of the
President, tribute TO the Father of
Ills Country was not forgotten,
The first glimpse Of a ship today
vas when the black crosses formed
~ the signalyards at mast heads
oomed above the horizon, The sight |
II the battleships approach was OBJ
cured by the smoke from the feet,
mingled with low-lying clouds. Grad,
lally the white hull Of the Connecti-
ut, leading the long column OF the
eturning battleships took form out
4 the mist, the only ship in long
traight line visible when the Presi-
lential salute started, The salute
vas caught up by every other vessel
n the column which seemed to dis
ppear down near the distance of the
lose drawn horizon, Flashes Of red
ire burning through the mist appear
d to extend far over the earth's rim
nd the roar of the cannon at the
leight of the volley was deafening,
In the wake of the 10 returning bat
leships were four other battleships
II the home station and FIVE giant
ruisers. In matter of battleships it
vas the heaviest feet ever gathered
Inder the flag Escorting' ships were
.arbed in new gray prescribed color
or all vessels Of the navy and ap-
,eared at the distance at disadvant-
ge alongside the white and buff
-essels of the world-girdling squad.
on. The latter vessels as they go to
he navy yards for repairs will be