The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-02-22
AMERICAN FLEET
HAS ARRIVED At
VIRGINIA CAPEs
ENDS REMARKABLE CRUISE OF
10000 MILES AROUND WORLD
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT RE-
VIEWS WARsHiPs FROM YACHT.

FORTRESS MONROE. Va. Feb. 20
The American battleship feet, aftel
cruise OF 10000 miles around the
world, reached the Virginia capes 10
day. President Roosevelt arrived from
| Washington this morning on the May
flower TO review the feet. which com
prised the greatest number OF battle
ships ever assembled under the Amer
can flag. There were 20 first-ciass
battleships In the imposing column
two more than at the review In san
Francisco harbor last May Large
crowds gathered on shore. and as the
president reviewed the mighty fleet. II
was one OF the most striking and bril-
liant scenes ever witnessed In this sec
ton.
President Leaves For Scene.
Word was received last night that
the president and his party, on board
the Mayflower. were well on their way
down the Potomac. The Dolphin was
en- route from Washington with ire
members OF the house ana sehate
naval committees on board. specla1
ly chartered steamer brought another
marty of more than 100 members Oh
congress. From Baltimore. Richmond
and New York veritable fleets or ex'
cursion boats were making their way
to the reviewing grounds.
Hundreds Of people went to virginia
Beach and Cape Henry yesterday
horing to catch a glimpse OF the re-
turning ships. They were disappoln'
ed however, as the ships lay TOO far
eff the coast TO be observed even from
nigh towers.
Both Norfolk and Old Point were
fairly choked with excursionsts anu
visitors and the hotels were tested
TO care for the eager crowds.
The repair ship Panther. convert
ed cruiser commanded by Commando
Valentine S. Nelson. steamed In today.
the third OF the auxiliaries OF the fleet
to make home The collier Ajax also
came in yesterday.
The decision OF Admiral Sperry not
10 attempt 10 receive tne HuHureus VI
wireless messages addressed TO Of
ficers OF the fleet has occasioned much
woe here among the navy widows ana
the hosts of sweethearts who have
gathered to greet the homecoming o.
fcers
Remarkable Cruise.
The successful completion OF the
cruise without noteworthy accident or
untoward incident, from either
naval or political point OF view. is re-
garded by all nations as history-mak-
ing. Never before has any battle
command made such long and prac-
tically continuous voyage. Never be
fore has any feet circumnaNigated the
globe. whether in one or separate voy
ages. Never before has any armada
OF any OF the countries OF the world
visited so many ports, al such great
distances. in so many countries. ana
under so many flags. And never was
any naval command received with
such universal manifestations or
friendly feeling as marked the pro-
gress OF the American feet al every
one of its two score stops OH the cruise
around the world.
Starting out from Hampton Roa IL
IA months ago In the pink of condi-
tion-or. in their spotless white and
buff. more properly speaking-the 10
great dogs OF war stood ready at every
moment of the "a hours OF every day
for prompt and effective action.
All nations have had opportunity
properly to estimate the military i'm,
portance OF the United States on the
seas. with the result that the general
international respect for this country
went up on the worlds market several
points.
After having cruised 10000 miles
with little or no repairs to the ships
during all this time. Admiral Sperry
was proud TO report TO the navy de-
rartment from Gibraltar that the en-
tire command could go. intact. half
that distance again without a single
vessel necessarily being sent to dock
unless. of course, the unforeseen