New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-12-26
NEW YORK EXTENDS WELCOME
TO BATTLE FLEET HOME FROM
rs MONTHS SERVICE ABROAD
1860 Jackies From Pennsyl-
vania, Arizona, Oklahoma,
Nevada, Utah, New York,
Texas, Arkansas, Wyoming
and Florida Parade.

| New York. Dec. 26.-Led by the
| super-dreadnough Arizona, ten great
| battleships in command of Admiral
| Henry T. Mayo-the vanguard of
Am erica's victory fleet in European
waters-stcamed majestically up New
York harbor today, in review before
Secretary of the Navy Daniels and
| were greeted with a tumultuous recep-
| ton by harbor craft and hundreds Of
| thousands of persons who lined the
| shores. The fleet reached Am brose
, channel late yesterday and rode at
anchor within sight of the city's lights
last night.
Big ships Pass in Review.
The ships weighed anchor at 7;30
| o'clock today and, escorted by a fleet
Of 21 airplanes, proceeded slowly up
/ the harbor to the statue of Liberty
where Secretary Daniels and a party
of distinguished guests on the presi-
Dental yacht Mayfiower reviewed the
procession. The shrieks OF thousands
, of welcoming sirens and whistles were
drowned by the thunderous salute Of
10 guns from each battleship as 1t
came abreast Of the Mayfower.
The dreadnoughts passed up the
Hudson and anchored from 55th to
were made for 1860 men to disem-
bark for the and parada. down Fifth
avenue this afternoon.
The Boats Arrive Homo.
The ships welcomed home. after IS
months of strenuous patrols of seas
infested by enemy submariens were
! the Pennsylvania, Arizona, Oklahoma.
Nevada, Utah, New York, Texas,
Arkansas, Wyoming and Florida.
The home coming vessels came into
port on one of the gloomiest morn
ings of the season. AS the ships
approached Quarantine, where they
paused because the hour of their re-
view was not until well on in the fore
noon occasional f1urries Of snow blown
on a cold northwest wind fell from
clouded skies which offered no pros
pect of sunshine.
This unpropitious weather came
with the dawn while the fleet still
tugged at its anchors off the Ambrose
channel 1ightship. There the snow fell
so thickly that the war vessels soon
were hidden from observers on shore.
Those in Reviewing Party.
In addition to Secretary Daniels,
! the reviewing party included Secre-
| tary Of War Baker, Secretary Of Agri-
| culture Houston, Gen. Peyton G.
March, chief of staff of the United
| States army, Admiral Grant of the
British navy and the senior naval
attaches Of the Allied nations,
Aircraft Escorts Fleet.
Ali the way into the harbor, as the
warships moved through the snow
| they presented q winter spectacle.
! Scarcely visible, a giant kite balloon
| preceded the Arizona leading unit of
the fleet, into the harbor-an aircraft
| towed, 500 feet up, by the gunboat
| Gloucester. Behind the armada two
| more balloons were pulled along abaft
| the Florida, the last warship to en-
| ter. Above the slowly steaming dread
noughts airplanes dipped and rose
, obscure snowbirds which gave to the
scene a picturesque touch as they
| darted about above the basket masts.
| From each Of these masts fiuttered q
| great American flag.
| At 10 o'clock, Notwithstanding the
| difficulty of maneuvering in the storm,
| the Arizona steamed by the May
| flower, firing her salute Of 19 guns in
| honor Of Secretary Daniels.
! Within % minutes the last Of the
ten dreadnoughts, the Florida. fly
| ing her homeward bound penant, had
passed the Mayhower said q wire
| less message from the press boat. The
saluting guns could be heard, but
! the ships themselves scarcely could be
seen from the New York shore. AS
! they swung up the river, however.
?, their great grey shapes became dis
+; tinctly visible,
At 10:46 the Mayf1ower left her sta
| a r~iv f0
review the fleet at anchor.