The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1921-04-29
BATTLE CRAFT IN REVIEW
President Harding Viewed
Atlantic Fleet Today
FIGHT SHIPSARE IN LINE
First Great Naval Spectacle
Before The New Comman-
der-ln-Chief
ASSOCIATED Press Dispatch

ASSOCIATED Press Dispatchl
Old Point Comfort. Va, April 20
The Atlantic fleet bringing back a.
new record of accomplishment
from it's southern drill grounds, pas
sed in ceremonial review before
President Harding today as it enter
ed home waters in Hampton Roads.
More than Sixty ships of war, led
by the flagship Pennsylvania, were
in the Tong column that filed by to
pay a chiefs honors
Secretary DENLY and party Of off,
Gals on the bridge Of his yacht, the
MayfIower.
1t was few minutes past nine
o'clock when the Pennsylvania pas
sing the reviewing ship, opened up
the thunder of her presidential sa-
had been spent the next step in
lutte, and before the twelve guns
line took up the firing while the
Mayflowers batteries spoke in &C
Acknowledgement. The cannonade
continued almost unbroken until the
review was over.
Old Point Comfort. Va, April 2S.-
The Atlantic division of the Ameri-
can fleet, returning from four months
of cruising and drilling in southern
waters, was to pass in review here
today for the first time before its
new commander in chief President
Harding. The beginning of the
greatest naval spectacle to occure in
Hampton Roads since before the
was estimated that two hours would
be required for the ,68 men o. war, to
pass the Mayfiower at her anchorage
at Thimble Shoal.
The president. accompanied by
Mrs. Harding and a few members
of the senate naval and military
committees. reached the reviewin,
point on the Mayflower from Wash
ington in the early morning. Early
today the feet weighed anchor and
circIed past the capes SO as to
scheduled hour. The ships moved
in single line formation, with the
eight dreadnaughts in the van. Be-
hind them came three pre- dread
naughts, eighteen destroyers the
mine laying force, thirteen subma-
rines and various auxiliaries.
Went South In January
This force went south early IN
January for joint manuevers with
the Pacific fleet in Panama Bay and
cruise to South America. Return.
tanamo in what naval officers have
described as the most successful win.
ter drill in the history of the navy.
Besides target practice there were
various other drills. including several
forms Of day and night spotting,
day torpedo defense, long range bat
tie practice and battle torpedo fir
ing. Particular attention was given
the destroyer force with weeks of
tactical maneuvers both by day and
night and extended gun and torpedo
target practice. The Atlantic fleet
air force cooperated throughout the
maneuvers, including the exercises
in bomb dropping and gun firing.
No summer program has been an
nounced. 1t is probable that the
July at some place alng the North
ern Atlantic coast for summer drills.
Admiral Wilson Greets President.
Admiral Wilson greeted the presi-
dent aboard the Mayfower as soon
as the review Of the Atlantic feet
was ended today.
''How's everything, admiral" in
hands. Everything was fine" an
swered the admiral, except that the
ship named after your state. the
Ohio, got into our anchorage berths."
The, president laughed and OBJ
served that Ohio was entitled TO a
great place.
Admiral Wilson returned from the
south greatly pleased with the results
of the winter training. The fleet
splits I'D here tonight Most of the
other ships go to New York where
the men will have their first shore
leave in months. .#