The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-02-24
SAILORS ARE BEING KEPT ON
BOARD SHIPS IN ANTlCIPA-
TON OF INSPECTION.
SEVERE STORM PREVAILS
"arsn'ps OF the Globc-encircIina Fleet
Are Now Taking Aboard Supplies of
Coal, and Sailors Will Be Allowed
FIRST Shore Duty Saturday to Par
ade in City Of Norfolk.

| Fortress Monroe, Va. Feb 23-The
| bad weather greeting the battleshir
fleet at the Virginia capes yesterday
| the worst the ships have experienced
| III any port on their way around the
world, continued today. Storm signals
We're hoisted on the beach and during
the afternoon stiff southeaster set in
me. ships, safely at anchor. paid lit
Tie need to the blow, but the little
white and gray steam launches were
buffeted by the winds and waves.
Ihat part of the roadstead running
west from Old Point pier seemed
fairly choked with fighting craft to-
day. Two long lines of the combined
squadrons of Admiral Sperry and Ad-
mlral Arnold, stretched away from the
dock almost as far as the eye could
see the gray ships of the stay at home
fleet fading away in the mist over
spreading the harbor
Taking Coal.
Nearly one-half the ships began coal
ing. despite the weather. All came in
with bunkers nearly emptv after the
long and stormy run from Gibraltar
VIII nave been coaled by Saturday in
order that the men may parade in
Norfolk on that day. This will be the
flrst shore leave the men will have
They are being kept aboard ship now
In anticipation of an inspection by
Admiral Sperry. It is customary each
year to make a thorough inspection of
each vessel in a command, and Admir-
al Sperry had planned to make it at
this time. 1t is possible, however, that
II may be postponed until the ships
have been distributed to the navy
yards.
Admiral Sperry win leave for WASH
ington Friday night and whether or
not the inspection is TO occur here will
be determined after his return
Makes Report.
Admiral Sperry sent a series of re-
ports regarding the cruise to the navy
department. These when completed
Will form an official history of the
entire cruise around the world.
The battleship Vermont of the first
division is yet in quarantine A case
of smallpox developed on board. One
OF the most interesting sights today
was the departure of large number
of enlisted men, whose terms of SER
vice had expired. AS they left they
We're given lusty cheers by the sailors.
A number of the sailors leaving
were long enlistment men who, un-
doubtedly, will come back into the
service before three months have
elapsed. If they re-enlst within 30
days they will be rated as having never
left the navy and will receive the in
pay which comes with every
re enlistment.
Exchange Views.
Lieutenant Commander McLane.
fleet ordnance officer, presided at a |
meeting Of ordnance officers on board
the flagship Connecticut These Off |
GERS are meeting constantly to ex-
change views on the working of the |
IRE control system at the last battle |
.arget practice in Manila bay and it |
S expected that decided Improvement |
n the system will result from their |
suggestions. The gunnery work of |
he navy is it's proudest boast, the Of
icers and men believing that their ef-
iciency at the target is superior to
hat Of any other navy