Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-02-01
First Division Of Atlantic
Fleet Arrives Sunday.
British Commandant Extends
Marked Courtesy TO Sperry.
Elaborate Program TO Be Given
While the Ships Are There.

Gibraltar, Jan. 31.-The first division
of the United States Atlantic fleet,
composed of the Connecticut. Vermont,
Kansas and Minnesota. under COM
mand OF Rear Admiral Sperry. arrived
here this morning from Villefranche.
Although the arrival of the squadron
lacked the noisy accompaniment Of
laundering guns. the formal exchange
of salutes being postponed until to-
morrow in Difference of the day. the
British welcome was no less hearty
and cordial. From the moment tho
gliStening white hullS Of the American
ships We're mere specks upon the blue
water of the Mediterranean every point
Of vantage on the rock Of Gibraltar
was occupied and by the time they
were ready to round majestically into
the harbor the entire population seem.
ed to be massed on the water front.
The two British battleships Abe
marie and Albion, and the four ships
of the second cruiser squadron just
returned from South American waters.
the Russian battleships Tsarevitch and
Slava and the protected cruisers
Begatyr and Oleg. the French gunboat
Cassini and the Dutch gunboat Helm
dali, lying inside the breakwater, with
sides manned, flags dipping and bands
playing, greeted the Americans as each
in turn entered and was berthed.
The American battleships responded
with flags and music. the band on
board the Connecticut playing the ma
tional anthem of each country repre-
scented. AS the ships passed the blue
Jackets aboard the Russian warships
uncovered and stood with barred heads
while the American bands rendered
God Save the Gar"
The official calls began as soon as the
visiting ships We're moored.
Vice Admiral Sir James E. Goodrich.
the admiral superintendent and COM
mander of all the naval establishments
at Gibraltar and Rear Admiral Sperry's
senior in rank, did not wait for the lat
ters visit. but boarded the Connecticut
to extend his greetings. At the same
time he insisted that the ships of the di-
visions due here tomorrow should. as
far as possible, anchor in the basin in
stead of on the Algeiras side as previous
ly arranged. The senior officers of the
foreign warships followed suit and later
the calls. going first to Admiralty house
to repay Vice Admiral Goodrich's cour-
tesy.
All day long launches and shore boats.
filled with the curious, churned around
the American battleships, the sightseers
marvelling at their size and comparing
them with the other ships in the harbor.
At shutdown the Georgia and Nebras-
ka, under command of Rear Admiral
Wainwright. arrived from Tangier. Five
Golfers and the auxiliaries Panther and
Yankton are already here and the coaling
of the first division will begin tomorrow.
Despite the unofficial character OF the
visit and Admiral Sperrys somewhat
disconcerting appearance with his feet
two days before single division was
expected, the English evidently intend to
give the Americans a reception they WIN
long remember. Besides entertainments
for the men, to be arranged by the va
rious crews, such as athletic, boxing and
rowing matches, and dinners and parties
ashore and afloat for the officers. tho
functions will include dinner at the
Admiralty house on Wednesday next
race meeting and a dinner to be given
by the military governor. Gen. Sir Fred
erick- Walker, which will be followed by
a ball at the assembly rooms arranged
by Richard l.. Sprague. the American
consul There will also be big GYM
khana in which the American officers are
expected to participate as competitors.
This will be held on Friday.
The program for the reception Of tho
fleet on it's return to Hampton Roads
has been completed. 1t practically re-
verses the program carried out when the
fleet sailed President Roosevelt on board
the Mayhower. anchored between the
Horseshoe and Lynnhaven bay, will re-
view the fleet as it passes in at noon
on Feb %. Rear Admiral Sperry, the
other commanders and executive officers.
will then go aboard the Mayfiower to re-
ceive the Presidents greetings, after
which the President will in turn visit
the flagship of each division and meet
the assembled officers and representative
sailors selected from the division. The
Yankton will leave here for Hampton
Roads tomorrow. ~