Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-11-22
Allies Lead Captive
Fleet Into Port


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Following their British pilot. the light
cruiser Cardiff. which, with destroyers
ana other small craft had ranged ahead
Of the Allied fleet. The enemy studiously
complied with Admiral Beatty's orders
and n was we'll for their own sakes that
they did. Every vessel steaming out to
meet them flew battle ensigns and was
ready for instant action with its men
at battle staions and guns in position for
the prompt annihilation of the enemys
forces II their mission proved to be other
than peaceful.
8 L. \. ships In Fleet
Five American battleships, the New
York. Texas, Arkansas. Wyoming and
Florida, were prepared to flre every gun
in forty seconds after the signal was
given by Rear Admiral Hugh Rodman,
who said to the correspondents before
sailing;
"There Is not the slightest probability
of any trouble, but we are overlooking
no chances against making the wlnd-up
Of this show big success
The main Allied feet, extending over
line fourteen miles long in the Firth Of
Forth, began to weigh anchor at l
O'Clock this morning. The Scotch mist
which for days had obscured the harbor,
was swept away by a stiff breeze, and
the moon shone brilliantly out Of a clear
sky. The ships quickly took their sta
tions in the long double line they held
throughout the day. British battle
cr,iisers led the way followed by dread
l,oughts Admiral Beatty's flagship the
Queen Elizabeth led the squadron in the
a1l, atsf.,s
ships fell into line behind Admiral
Beatty's craft, balancing a British
squadron similar in power in the op.
posite file.
The rendezvous was approximately
fifty miles distant and the ships gauged
their speed to arrive at the appointed
place at s O'Clock. At o'clock signal
summoned the men into battle station
and. except for the officers on the bridge
the ships companies were hidden behind
brlwarks of steel when dawn broke the
sea was again covered with mist. which
reduced the visibility to less than 5000
yards.
Eyes straining through the murky
haze finally We're rewarded OF the star
board bow the Cardiff trailing an OBJ
servation kite balloon. came steaming
in. Close behind her came the first of
the German ships the great battle
cruiser Seydlitz, which wHs flying the
flag of Commodore TOgcrt. After her
came four others of the same type. the
Derfiiinger. Won Der Tam. Hindenburg
and Moltke. They moved along three
cable lengths apart
Immedia tely following them were nine
dreadnoughts. the Friedrich der Crosse
flagship of Rear Admiral Won Reuter-;
the Koenig Albert, Kaiser. Kronprinz
Wilhelm, Kaiserin. Bayern. Markgraf.
Prins agent Lutpold and the Grosser
Kurfuerst.
Three miles asterp Of the hattleships
came seven light cruisers. the Karls-
ruhe, bearing the ensign Of Commodore
Harder: the Frankfort, Emden, Burn
berg. Drummer, Coin and Bremen.
Then came another gap of three miles
and German destroyers came Steamng
in fyes columns abreast. with ten de-
strpyers to column.
Six miles separated the Allied col
umns and sUuarely between them the
Cardim brought her charges. all steam
ing at the stipulated speed of ten knots.
As ,oruered. their guns were in regular
fore-and-after positions and. as far as
powerful glasses could determine there
Wdb IiO siSn u provoke SuSplClOn. lnllIt
ALI the major ships had been swallowed
up in the enveloping column. the lat
ter navef for moment relaxed their
alert watch. over the Germans CirCled
a British diririblc. which acted as eyes
for, the Allied ships, which, although
the fog had lifted. were still too dista.t
forsaccurate observation.
When the leading German ship had
reached the western end of the fanking
columns. the Allied ships put about in
squadron. Quickly reforming their lines, !
they proceeded to escort the enemy into !
the, Firth of Forth. BY noon, the last
wisp OF fog had dispersed and a splendid
View Of the vast array Of war craft
could be obtained. Holding steadily to
Its course. the great fleet reached Ma
Island at . O'Clock
The captive Germans were piloted to
anchorages assigned to them and British
ships from the southern column closed
In as guards. The northern column
steamed on to the regular anChorages
higher up the Firth.
Inspection parties from the Grand Fleet
boarded the Germans to make sure that
all conditions of the armistiCe were OBJ
served. The enemy vessels will be in
termed in Scapa Flow Part OF the
the, remainder viii be returned to Ger
many soon. Whether American ships
have further part to play in connec-
tion with this internment and guarding
the high seas is question which is be-
ing discussed by officers and men Of
the United States squadron.
King Georges visit to the American
flagship New York yesterday was
notable occasion throughout British
destroyers were streaming out of the
harbor to take up advanced positions
to act as a screen for the Grand Fleet
today and the portentousness of thslr
mission gave note of solemnity to the
gala scene on the New York. AS soon
as the royal party stepped aboard the
royal ensign was holsted to the mast
head.
This was the first time since the
IlHited StathS eniarnn thn Nar thnt nr-,.