The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-01-04
UNITED STATES ATLANTIC FLEET
IS TWO DAYS AHEAD or
ITS SCHEDULE.
MEN OF WAR WELCOMED
Authorities Make Ready Right Of Way
for Clear Run Through Famous and
Historic Cut-Admiral Sperry An
nounees Extent Of Contributions for
Sufferers Of Sicily.

| Suez. Jan. 2--The United States
! Atlantic battleship fleet, completing
| two days ahead of its schedule the
next to the longest run of its world
| circling cruise, arrived here this
morning from Colombo, a distance of
| 3,34O knots, from which place the fleet
| sailed on December 20. The loss of
seaman from the battleship Illinois,
| who fell overheard and was drowned,
as previously reported, was the only
accident to mar the voyage from Col
| ombo 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. Despite their long trip, the
Warships looked as smart and trim
| as though turned out for a naval re-
view.
Sperry Satisfied.
| When the ships had anchored the
Egyptian and canal authorities went
| aboard the Connecticut and welcomed
| Rear Admiral Sperry, who expressed
| himself as we'll satisfied with the
cruise from Colombo. He regretted
that he was compelled to curtail his
stay in Egypt. but hoped at some flu
ture day an opportunity would be Civ
en- him to visit Cairo. The admiral
spoke of 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
representative would visit Cairo and
| be presented to the khedive on the an
| niversary of his ascension to the
throne on January 8. A contingent
| Of 500 officers and men left by spe-
| cial train for Cairo this afternoon.
| The converted cruiser Yankton en-
tered the canal this afternoon and the
supply ship Culgoa will pass in to-
night. The former has number Of
doctors aboard and the latter large
supply of provisions and stores. Both
will go to Messina at full speed. All
arrangements were made by wireless
| for the ships of the fleet to pass
through the canal as quickly as possi-
| BILE and to coal at Port Said. where
| 25, 900 tons are stored.
Have Right Of Way.
The authorities nave made arrange
ments for the battleships to have the
right of way for a clear run through
the canal. The Connecticut, Ver-
mont, Kansas and Minnesota will en-
ter the canal at o'clock tomorrow
morning and will arrive at Port Said
at o'clock Monday night. The sec
ond group. consisting Of the Louisiana.
Kentucky, Ohio, Missouri and Vir-
ginia. will enter Tuesday, and the third
line, composed Of the Wisconsin, Kear-
sarge. New jersey Rhode Island,
Georgia and Nebraska. will start
Wednesday. At Port Said the crews
will coal the battleships with all pos
sibIe speed, 30 as to be in position to
go quickly to Messina if it is finally
determined to send them there.
| New Years Doin0s.
The New Years day was spent by
the men Of the fleet In a continuous
round of fun. There were athletic
contests, boxing. foot racing, culmi-
mating in the evening with a grand
entertainment on board the flagship
| connecticut consisting of q sketch and
costume contest, vaudeville and
minstrel performance. The members Of
the ships company were the actors
and the evening ended in grand
cakewalk, the stunning costumes and
millinery for which were made aboard
| ship.
With cooler 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.
| Pity for Sicilians.
| Many are now arranging for flying
visits to Cairo and the pyramids The
news of the Italian earthquake was
received with profound sorrow by Of
| ficers and men. In reply to a mes
sage from the navy department. Rear
Admiral Sperry said he had supplies
available for distribution to the Ital-
ian earthquake sufferers as follows:
Beverages, $4,000; bread, 900
pounds cereals. 10000 pounds; fruits,
10000 pounds; fresh meat, 10000
pounds; other meat, 10000 pounds;
vegetables, canned, 100000 pounds;
milk, $4,000 pounds, and other numer-
Gus items.
| The Culgoa will distribute these pro-
visions. There are six surgeons and
a number Of hospital men on board
the Culgoa and Yankton and they are
| taking with them supplies of cots,
blankets, etc. These supply ships are
due to arrive at Messina January s