Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1909-02-25
FLEET AGAIN In
HOME WATERS.
President Roosevelt and an Immense
ThrOnS Extend Hearty Welcome
To Returning BattleShipS.

7
until some American feet returns vic
torious from a great sea battle will
there be another such Homecoming,
another such sight as this. drink to
the American navy"
This was the toast of President Roose-
velt today as he stood rsdiantly happy
in the cabin of the graceful little cruiser
yatch Mayflower at the conclusion of
the review and the ceremonies attend
ing the welcome home of the American
battleship feet.
: He was surrounded by the admirals
and captains of the sixteen world-en-
circling vessels brilliantly attired in all
the gold lace and psraphernalia of
special full dress uniform. and every
glass was raised in response to the
Presidents suggestion ''We stsy-at-
homes also drink to the men who have
made us prouder than ever of our coun-
try" added the President, and again
the toast was pledged
''When the feet sailed from San
Francisco, Mr.. President" replied Rear
Admiral Charles S. Sperry, 'you sent
Us a message saying that ours was a
heavy responsibility and a great honor.
That we have today fulfilled the re-
sporsibility makes this the proudest
moment of our lives. l say we, ad-
visedly, in speaking of the feet, for no
one man could have done what has been
done without the loyal and willing CO.
operation of every man on the fleet"
Thus briefly the commsnder-in-chief
of the returning ships made his official
report to the commander-in-chiefo of the
army and the navy.
The President was in the same joyous
mood as when the ships set sail four
teen months ago, and to those who had
also witnessed that notable departure
of the first real battleship squadron ever
gathered under the American flag, he
constantly expressed his enthusiasm
over the safe and triumphant return of
the fleet which was dispatched under
his orders on cruise which it was said
was too hazardous for any such body of
ships to undertake.
To the men and junior officers gather
ed on the four divisional fiagships of
the feet, the President expressed his
and the country's thanks for the pres
tige which the cruise of the ships had
given to the American navy.
Previously on the Mayfower he had
said personal word of congratulation
to all of the flag and commanding Of
ficers. Among them were many warm
personal friends of the President and
these he fairly embraced after the for
malities of their first salute had ended.
In the battleship and cruiser squad
ron's that filed by the Mayfower today
and saluted the Presidents flag at the
main of the graceful little cruiser yatch,
there were represented 800, 490 tons OF
water displacement.
Every battleship in commission in the
navy had place in the long line. There
were twenty Of the hesvily-belted yes
sells, fifteen being among the Original
sixteen that sailed away fourteen
months ago. The only vessel missing
ALUM S4O AAAC SO1oy WoS SA4O <AaoNoLAoa
She came home with the Maine last Oc
tober and both of these ships had the
distinction of going all the way arounC
the world, even if they were excluded
from the feet itself. The Maine served
today as flagship of the squadron Sent
to meet the incoming fleet and she wal
greeted at sea with all the enthusiasm
of an old friend. The Alabama is In re
serve at the New York navy yard.
The two strangers in the fleet today
were the Nebraska, which replaced tn,
Maine, and the Wisconsin, which re
placed the Alabama. Both of thes,
vessels were built in the Pacific, botl
Joined the feet at San Francisco ant
today made their first appearance in al
Atlantic port.
The cruise of the feet covered a dis
tance Of 42,30S miles; 3S5, 900 tons o
coal costing $1,000, 900 were consumed
while provisions costing $l96, 900 wer,