Norwich bulletin., 1909-02-23
BattleshipS which Have Encircled the Globe
Reviewed by President Roosevelt
UNITED STATES FLEET WELCOMED HOME
President has Cordial Word of Greeting for Each and
Every One-President Narrowly Missed Fall which
Might have Proved Serious-Details of Arrival OF the
Fleet-Shps will Remain in Roads for Week

I the arrangements for the fleets entry
and review.
Early and promptly at the hour set
for their arrival-11 O'clock fash of
fame and pun Of White smoke from
the forward bridge Of the Connecticut
marked the beginning Of a day of sa-
lutes which reverberated over the
dancing waters Of the roadstead with
a roar thar suggested the din of actual
battle. In addition TO the salutes fired
several times in honor Of the presi-
dent and almost in the midst Of the
difficult manoeuvre of swinging the
ships into anchorage position q tribute
to Washington's memory was not for
gotten. Exactly at noon, in unison
with the cannon showing their muz-
zles over the crowded ramDarts Of
Fortress Monroe. the fleet fred a sa-
lutte Of 21 guns, each ship letting go
simultaneously.
First Glimpse of the Ships.
The first glimpse of the warships to-
day by the president and his guests on
the Mayflower and the friends who
joIrneyed down to the Virginia capes
on the biggest feet Of excursion yes
sells ever seen in Hampton Roads was
when the black crosses formed by the
signal yards at the mastheads loOmed
above the horizon. The day was so
overcast that the naked eye could
scarcely distinguish where water ended
and sky began. The smoke from the
fleet mingled with the low lying clouds
and hung over the approaching vessels.
But gradually the white hull and the
buff superstructure of the Connecticut,
leading the long column of the return
ing battleships and their escort, took
form out of the mist.
Only the leading ships in the long
straight line were visible when the
flashes from the guns on the flagship
started the salute to the presidents
flag, flying at the main Of the May
flower. The salute was caught up by
every other vessel. in the far flung
column, which seemed to disappear
down the near distance of the close
drawn horizon. The flashes of red
through the fog appeared to extend
far over the eartfs rim. The roar
Of the cannon at the height Of the
volley was deafening, but the noise
died away at the finish like distant
thunder, the nearer ships finishing the
tally Of gunfire some moments before
the echoes Of the last shots by the
trailing escort were heard.
Connecticut Led to the Anehoraoe.
In the wake Of the sixteen returmnx
battleships were four other battleships
Of the home station and five giant
cruisers In the matter OF battleships
II was the heaviest Meet ever gatnered
under the flag Swerving far out into
the roadstead, the Connecticut led the
ships to anchorage, making a long
graceful turn and pointing her bow
sgalu toward the capes to race the in
coming tide.
VIII Remain in Roadstead a Week.
Tonight the feet, once more at home.
rests in two long lines. The vessels
were brilliantly Illuminated during the
evening. the outline of their hulls,
their mast9 and their towering tunnels
being painted in the brilliant fire of
electric bulbs against the black back
ground of The night.
Ashore the adnnirsls and the cap
tains Of the fleet, with forty more Off
GERS, were guests at the annual ban
Quet OF the Navy league Of the United
States.
All Of the ships will remain here
for a week and at least one-half of
the % vessels In the roadstead viii re-
main until after the inauguration
Turkish Naval Officers as Passengers.
The twenty Turkish naval officer
who came as passengers on the fleet
were picturesque figures in the hotel
throng. Their uniforms are much like
those Of the Americans, but instead
Of a cap they wear red fezes.