New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-02-23

souauTOn.
posed of the third and fourth divisions The second
sQua iron and third division commanded by
Rear Admiral seaton Schroeder. who, like Admiral
Wainwright sailed with the feet fourteen months
ago captain. Admiral Schroeder's flag was ny
ing to-day as he stood on the after-bridge Of the
Louisiana a ship OF the Connecticut class. The
other three ships of the division the Missouri
and the Ohio, of similar design ani the Virginia
which belongs TO the Georgia class. The last OF
the returning ships passed with the fourth di-
vision, commanded by Rear Admiral William P
Potter who sailed away the captain of the
Vermont and returned to-day with his two-starred
flag at the main Of the Wisconsin After the Wis
cousin steamed the Illinois sister ship and last IN
the returning line they were last 10 leave came
the Kearsarge and the Kentucky, the Oldest ships
in the feet The Illinois and the jast two vessels
nanoel are TO be taken out of The feet at once to
undergo a practical rebuilding Their places while
they are being rnodernized are 10 be taken by the
New Hampshire the sixth ship of the Connecticut
class the Idaho and the Mississippi All three OF
these vessels were in the line of welcoming shlps
TODAY and all have been placed in commission
since the feet sailed
Appearing warlike. and grim in spite OF the ols
Huttering flags at her msstheads. the Maine In her
re7- dressing of gray followed eight hundred yards
:, +ba v-aka Of the Kentucky. She entitled to
and received from the saluting excursion ships ana
tho cheering throngs aboard all of the honors &C
oo-5oa the vessels of the home coming fleet Rear
Admiral Arnold. commanding the third squadron ol
ARMoRED AND SCOUT CRUISERS
The idaho the Mississippi and the New Hamp-
.ire we're the last OF the batteshlps in line, and
,,-e-a followed by the impressive looking arnored
cruisers North Carolina and Montana. which took
prasdent-elect Taft and mis- party Of engineers TO
Panama and back. and lastly by the raksn iookins
little scout cruisers Chester. Salem and Birming-
han, With scant 1000 tons displacement, but
with horsepower equal 10 that of the 5000 ton
Connecticut the scout cruisers have the speed OF
the wind.
fleet into Hampton Roads last wednesday, and
since that time had gone 10 Washington TO bring
a store of gold pay off the officers ana men OF
the homecoming vessels met the batteships inside
the Capes this morning and steamed proudly by
,bo wavaorer with salliting cannon roaring trib-
ute TO the Presidents flag loud as any armor
clad in the powerful column
When the last of the cruisers in the splendid
pageant had passed the Mayhower, the Connecticut
was stean1ing by the Old Point Pier, more than
seven miles away. and the great crowds gathered
there were cheering and waving flags. handker-
chiefs and hats in perfect ecstasy of welcoming
enthusiasm The band the quarterback was play
ing alternately the impressive strains OF Home
Sweet Home" and a rollicking air which came
across the waters in a striking resemblance 70
'There'l Be a Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight
Each ship as il passed the pier and turned 20
anchor in the two lneE Of sduadrons running IN
q crescent In the direction OF Norfolk received a
extended to the flagship which pointed the way
around the world
After the ships had anchored in response to sig
nails from the Connecticut and the divisional flag
ships il seemed but a moment before the rainbow
lines Of huttering signal flags and bits Of var-
colored bunting. all arranged in accordance with a
common design. sprans if by magic TO the
n1astheads. In the lane left by the warships and
stir kept clear by patrol feet Of torpedo craft
and naval tugs the Msyhower gayly dressed. her
self in honor both OF the fleets return and the
birthday Of Washington, was soon seen making her
way along. The cheering ashore was begun again,
and swept in a great wave up and down the crowd
ed waterfront. The Mayhower passed close in
shore and there tremendous craning OF
recks to catch glimpse OF the President and the
other distinguished guests aboard Passing Fort
fess Monroe, the Presidents flag received the
arrny's tribute OF twenty-one guns. In accordance
with prescribed etiquette. the Mayfower steamed
by without paying any more heed than she had to
salute the battleships further down the bay.
The Mayhower came silently TO anchor in the
centre of the feet Swift little steam launches
had already been lowered overheard with giant
cranes from the divisional hagships and were dart
ing to the various ships gather up the COM
manding officers for a call on the President. Last
". the four admirals of the feet entered the
launches in which their captains already
seated, and the start for the Mayfower was made
Admiral Sperry's launch the first reach the
starboard gangway of the Presidents yacht, and
he was ushered aboard with fare OF trumpets.
a
played by the ships band President Roosevelt
advanced from his station the quarterback 10
grasp cordially Admiral Sperrys hand Then came
the captains OF the first division and the succeed
ing admirals and captains of all the divisions and
ships of the returning fleet The commanding Off
GERS of the auxilisries, the Yankton. the Culgoa
and the Panther. also came aboard. and their
greeting was as sincere and cordial as that ex-
tended 10 the flag officers.
Presiden: Roosevelt warmly congratulated each
10 and fhe,c oIlAc ba
formally thanked them and all the officers and men
under them for the part they had played in making
the cruise such a brilliant
In the battleship and cruiser souadrons that fled
by the Mayhower to-day and saluted the Presi-
dents flag the main of the graceful little cruiser
yacht there represented go 4so tons OF water
displacement. Every battleship in commission in
the navy had place in the long line. There were
twenty OF the heavily belted vessels fifteen being
among the original sixteen that sailed away four
teen months ago The only vessel missing from
the line to-day the Alabama She came home
with the Maine last October. and both Of these
ships had the distinction of going all way round
the world even IL they finally excluded from
the feet itself. The Maine served to-day as ia
ship Of the squadron OF vessels sent 10 meet the
incoming fleet and, the wireless dispatches have
already told. she greeted with all the
enthusiasm raised by old friend. The Ala
bana is in reserve at the New York Navy Yard.
The two strangers in the feet to-day the
Nebraska, which replaced the Maine, ond the Wis
consn, winch replaced the Alabama Both of these
vessels were built in the Pacific Ocean, both Joined
the fleet at San Francisco and to-day made their
first appearance in an Atlantic port.
Tonight the feet. az home rests in
two long lines. The vessels were brilliantly llumi-
mated during the evening, the outlines Of their
huIls. the masts and their towering tunnels being
painted the brilliant fire of electric bulbs against
the black background of the night
Ashore the admirals and the captains of
the feet with twoscore more officers were guests
sba HfnnA of he Nav
United States The speakers Rear Admiral
sperry. who responded TO the toast The Fleet;