Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-12-27

tour Of the fleet the Mayhower first
AS the yacht moved through the lane
of fighting craft, with the home ficct
to port and the veterans TO starboard,
each ship was dressed and from each
of the new arrivals came the strains
Of the national anthem played by the
ships band as the Mayfiowcr came.
abreast. 1t was a stern array OF
ships. despite the splendor OF the
flags with which were decorated. All
the battlcships wore coats of sinister
gray. while dcstroycrs and auXiliarics
bore the fantastic touch of the cam
outage. Exclusive OF all except
hattlcShips the tonnage of the fight
ing craft now in the Hudson amounts
to i2I,S22. The ten homecoming
craft had n tonnage of 26S.000. Not
counting numbers of smaller craft
the battlcships alone carry a total OF
So fourteen inch guns, 20 thirteen
inch guns and Sc twelve inch.
The Mississippi. New Mexico and
dreadnaughts. the hattleships whicn
were the last word in naval architcc-
ture only few years ago. seem punr
craft. huge as they are. Under tn
shadow Of the New York shore 900 yards
apart the huge bridge of steel extend'
six solid miles from 5jth street TO Fort
Washington Park, where in revolution
airy days an iron chain was stretched
across the river TO bar tho progress
of hostile craft. In inspecting the yes
thu Ma SfioWpr made y rim n nea--
ly 10 miles before She fnally dropped
anchor at the berth she had left in tn
morning Immediately she was sur
rounded by fleet of gigs. bearing az
mirals, vice admiral. rear admirals and
captains, to pay their respects TO Secre-
tary Daniels and Vice Admiral A. "
Grant Of the home fleet. who arranged
the days program. touching seen
was enacted in the main salon of the
Mayfiower where Mr. Daniels welcomed
his guests Among those invited to wiz
ness the review from the presidential
yacht we're the wives of naval officers
home at last after IS months service in
foreign waters.
IT the officers devoted no more time
than courtesy demanded to paying their
respects 20 the secretary before greet
ing their wives. Mr. Daniels showed No
disposition to chide them.
The reception cndcd. Mr.. Daniels AMI
Admiral Mayo landed, entered ma
chine and drove to the head of the lon.
column Of soldiers forming Rear Adj
miral Rodman led the line on foot. Wit.
. detachment of marines at its head tho
volurnn moved down Broadway to 59t,
street. crossed the Fifth avenue and
then swung down that historic thor
oughfarc At the public library Mr.
Daniels and Admiral Mayo left the line
to take their places with the 9th ~
members Of tine Mayfiowers party who
had preceded them to the reviewing
stand. Following the marines were pla-
toon after platoon OF sailors from eacn
Of the 10 ships which came home TODAY.
Each contingent carried the ships fa-
al its head and received round after
round Of applause. Fully 1900 mer
were in line and in many instances do.s
taken aboard in Englanl as mascots
scamppred along with the sailors gall
decorated with American and British
flags. Afrer the parade the men imme-
diately embarked for ther ships. Their.
10 receive shore leave. Tonight re-
markabie spectacle was staged on tn,
Hudson. Each ship was Brilliantly IL
Illuminated with electric lights MAXIM
the river Il sea Of fire :or more than
six miles. rhe New YORK shore was
abiaze with roman candles. set in pla e
by the city's committee OF welcome,
and overhead burst thousands of rock
cts. Hardly had the battle feet, which
rested last night off sandy Hook.
weighed anchor and begun its triumph
al entry into the harbor .han the pres
idcntial yacht Mayiower moved down
stream from its anchorage in the IIud-
son TO take its station .or the review
near the giant Lady Of Liberty.
Aboard her were Secretaries Daniels
ana Baker, Acting Secretary Of state
Polk, American army and naval ohscer,
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