The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-04-15
GREAT ARMADA
COM NESPR0UD[Y
To HOME PORT
MORE THAN HUNDRED
VESSELS AT NEW YORK
Comprise Units Of U. S. Vic
tory Fleet That Served in
European Waters.

NEW YORK. April 14.--More than 100
ships OF Americas Victory fleet
steamed proudly into New York harbor
to-day, beneath a great escort or air
and sea planes, bringing 10000 officers
and men TO the first home shore leave
many of them have enjoyed in more
than year.
The armada-greatcst in point of
numbers ever seen in an American port
rode through the dir of an enthusias-
tic welcome the harbor to anchorage
In the Hudson river. and within. few
hours Admiral Henry T. Mayo, fleet
commander. had released more than TO-
900 OF the men for "a hours shore leave.
No paradcs or Official receptions will
be held. Admiral Mayo asserting that
the men Of the fleet were "herc to re-
view New York and not to have New
York review Us"
Remains Until April aoth.
The fleet will remain here until April
80. when it will be split up. In sections
and sent to the various Atlantic sta
lions. In the meantime Admiral Mayo
said. the men will be. given as much
shore leave as possible.
The might fleet arrived from Guanta-
hamo Bay, CuAba, where ii has been hold
ing it's regular winter mancuVers, ~
hours ahead Of schedule. Several scores
of army and navy planes had put out to
sea to meet the battleships and with
wings flashing in the sunshine looped.
lipred and circlcd about the 12 super
drcadnaughts. 50 dcstroyers. mother
ships" and other craft that made up the
fleets full strength.
When the guardship Amptitritc. an
chored at quarantine. doomed forth the
II gun salute TO Admiral Mayo. aboard
the flagship Pennsylvania. other craft
set up din Of shrieking whistles and
sirens which drew thousands OF New
Workers and Jcrseyites to the two
shores of the Hudson river to witness
the spectacle.
Preceded by q flotilla Of so destroyers,
l3 super-dreadnaughts,' the teeth" OF
i the fighting ficct-entered Ambrose
channel shortly before noon. the :Mtssis-
sipp. Oklahoma and wyoming leading.
! the way and close in their wake the
Pennsylvania flying the flag Of Ad-
| miraI Mayo, commander Of the fleet and
| ranking officer Of the United States,
assembled here from two oceans =
| Noisy Greeting.
| As the fleet came into port division
, after division was met by squadrons OF
naval airplancs, their wings flashlng IN
the brilliant spring sunshine, their en-
! gines humming Il noisy greeting as they
looped and swooped above the SLOWLY
steaming water craft.
Tho spectacle, naval and aerial was
described as the most picturesque IN
the harbor's history. 1t began shortiy
after 10 o'clock when the first DIVISION
Of destroyers appeared In American ter
ritor!al waters and continued we'll into
the afternoon when the last of the aux
Iliarv vessels followed the first group
OF ships were anchored. =.
ScurcS OF AirplanGS flown here from
oil the nearby naval aviation stations
took advantage OF the perfect weather
and the blucjackct spectators to form
some OF their choice fcats. They met
the incoming vessels far at sea and
piloted them the entire length OF the
harbor while vessels Of all nationalities
Joined in the almost continuous salute
Of whistles.
The dcstroycrs with 80 already in
port. made up flotilla of 80 while the
battleships with the cruiser Columbia
and a number Of auxiliary and mother
ships" sent the strength OF the visiting
armada beyond the 100 mark.
Sow ss-vtce Abroad.
OF the drcadnaughts. the New YORK.
Texas, Arkansas. Wyoming, Florida anu
Delaware SAW service with Read Ad-
miral Rcdman as division Of the Brit
ish grand fleet operating in the North
Sea, while the Utah. Nevada and Okla
homa cruised in continental waters
throughout the war. The Pennsylvania
was used rs Admiral Mayo's flagship
and the Arizona reached Europe just
after the armistice was signed while
the Mississippi! and North Dakota were
on duty in American waters. .
An admiraTs salute was fired by the
guards ship Amphritite as the Pennsyl-
vania came abreast. In addition to the
admirals three rear admirals tlag-
those of Roman. Ebcrle and Coontz-
were flown from the main trucks OF the
New York, Utah and Wyoming respect
ivcly.
Sailors and marines dressed ship as
the fleet passed up the river. bands play
I'd aboard the war craft and thousands
n. New Workers and Jerscyitcs. crowd
ing piera and the windows Of office
buildings on both sides OF the stream
watched the professions.
Arriving at their anchoragcs the
units Of the Atlantic fleet Joined the
cruisers Of the Pacific squadron which
reached port last week in command OF