The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1909-02-26
RETURN OF BATTLESHIP FLEET
Epoch Marking Feat Accomplished By
the American Navy Presidential
Review in Hampton Roads.

anu LIE tnduKS OF the country Tor
| the prestige which the cruise of the
fleet has given to the American Navy
by making visits to the four division
| al flagships, the Connecticut, the
Louisiana, the Georgia and the Wis
consin
On the Connecticut were gathered
attachments of bluejackets from all
OF the other ships of that division,
and the same was true of the COM
panies on the other fiagships. Com
ing aboard the Connecticut with the
crew manning the rails or drawn
| up at attention on the quarter deck
and after the bridge, with the band
playing "The Star-spangled Banner
and the forward guns firing salute
of 81 guns in his honor, the Presi-
| dent passed first down the long line
of officers along the starboard rail-
and had a word of cordial greeting
for each and every one.
Previously on the Mayflower he
had said personal word of con-
graduation to all of the flag and
commanding officers. Among them
were many warm personal friends of
the President, and these he fairly
embraced after the formalities of
: their first salute had ended. Con-
stantly during the reception on the
Mayfiower the President would take
Admiral Sperry by the arm and lead
| him off to one side for confidential
chat.
Roosevelt Slips.
On the Connecticut the President
climbed upon the barbette or steel
! foundation of the after-turret, with
it's protruding 12-inch rifles, and in
the shadow of those great guns he
briefly addressed the crew.
In order to reach the sholf of the
barbette, some five feet above the
deck, the President had to step first
| upon water hydrant. His foot slip
ped when he made the initial attempt
and he narrowly missed fall which
might have proved serious. AS he
finally made the gun platform the
crew cheered Justify. The President
linterspersed his prepared remarks
freely with asides and he particularly
caught the fancy of the men when he
told them he was immensely salts
fed with the gunnery work thus
far accomplished.
"You have done AL in smooth
water" said the President. "but what
| want to see next year is target
practice under the conditions in
rough water"
The bluejackets on the after bridge
started to cheering, which was
caught up by the white gloved Of
ficers.
For if you ever have to fight"
continued the President, you can't
choose your water
Again the men burst into cheers.
Target work is the subject nearest
the sailors heart today The men
are enthusiasts on anything apper-
tanning to it, and the rivalry between
the different ships both at record and
battle practice is intense. The men
cheered again when the President de-
clared that this was the first "bat-
tie fleet" ever to circumnavigate the
globe, and that any other nation that
attempted "a similar performance
must follow in the footsteps of Amer
lea.
you've Done The Trick"
"You have done the trick" he ex-
claimed, and the quick response of
the men brought glad smile to the
speakers lips. "Other nations may
follow repeated the President, "but
they have got to go behind. The
cheering broke out afresh when the
President declared of the cruise that
nobody after this will forget thai
the American coast is on the Pacific
as we'll as on the Atlantic" When
the President had concluded and was
about to be r'piped over the side,
to continue his round o. the flag,
ships, a member of the crew proposed
three cheers and a tiger" They
were given with a yigor that fairly
swept the Chief Executive of his
feet, and as he bowed acknowledge
ment he exclaimed: "If there were
enough of me. I'd cheer for YOU"