The Washington times., 1909-02-25
FLEET IS SUBJECTED
WITH SOCIAL HONORS
Formal Entertainments Are
Called Off at Request of
Tired Officers.

NORFOLK, Va. Feb. "a heavy
northwester swept Hampton Roads last
night, and early this morning the wind
blew thirty-seven miles an hour. The
battle fleet was. Of course. little affected
10y the blow, but everything was made
tight, to avoid risk OF accident in case
the gale increased in fury. At noon
/ today the wind is capering along at
eighteen miles, and the launches Of the
big ships are laboring In heavy seas
as they swiftly pass between the ships
and Old Point wharf.
Il was announced this morning that
all formal social functions scheduled
for the entertainment Of the officers
have been called off and the dance
at the CIamberlin tonight will he en-
tirely Informal.
As matter Of fact the officers have
| been surfelted with entertainment, and
| are only anxious to get back to their
homes. Our greatest enemies are our
| friends who insist on giving US ban
uuets." said an officer this morning.
! Eleven officers Of the turkish navy,
who boarded the vessels OF the meet
| at Port Said, will tomorrow leave LOT
| Washington. These officers made the
| trip over in order to study American
, naval methods. Their presence on
| board the ships was at first regarded
| IA Their in the nature of a Joke, but II
| was soon apparent that the Turks
! took themselves very seriously. They
| were on the job at all stages, busy
| with note books and pencils ana
/ keeping up a steady stream of queries,
! the replies 70 which were carefully
| noted. The Turkish representatives are
! of the navigation and construction b'-
/ TeaUS Of their COuntTy's navy and are
I keen on the hunt for Information.
! They have made themselves popular
! with officers, ara men on account OF
! their democratic manners, which was
! demonstrated in Norfolk, where two
| Were seen on the streets, accompanied
/ by an American blue jacket and a non
! commissioned officer OF the coast ar
| tllery, with whom they were appar-
! emily, upon the most intimate terms
! Considerable disappointment is felt
J here owing TO the fact that Admiral
/ Sperry will not be able to review the
/ big naval and military parade Satur-
/ day The admiral has accepted the in
! vitatiOn of the local committee on be
! half Of the officers and men of the
] fleet, but will not be able to attend
/ himself, as he expects TO leave for
] Washington tonight.
J One hundred and fourteen officers
/ and ZOO blue jackets from the fleet will
/ = sent 70 take part in the parade here
! There is no lack Of interest in the
/ fleet, Judging from the number OF Wis
/ itors who are arriving in Norfolk and
/ Old Point daily. The weather has been
! such as TO preclude much visiting on
I board the ships. Today II is clear, but
/ the high wind may deter many would
he visitors from going out TO the war
! ships in small boats.
Much money Is being wsEered on the
I boxing bout scheduled 10 take place on
( board the Kentucky Saturday night be
| tween Peudergrast, Of the New jersey.
{ fleet champion, and Sherman, Of the
louisiana PenderETast Is the favOrite.
The report Of launch accident and
| drowning in Hampton Roads in con-
| uectiOn with the battleship feet or
otherwise. is emphatiCally denied. There
| is nothing, 50 far as can Oe learned
upon which the rumor was based.