The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-29
HARDING REVIEWS
 THREE SCORE: SHIPS
 OF ATLANTIC FLEET
Is First Naval Pageant of Kind to Be Held Since Before United States Entered
 the World War
By Associated Press

Ihree-score fighting ships of the At lantic division of the United States fleet came home today from battle maneuvers in southern waters to re- eeive their first greeting from Presi- dent Harding, the new commander-in- chief of the navy.
 From the bridge of the yacht May flower. anchored at Thimble Shoal Light, MT. Harding reviewed the long line of war crafts as they steamed by, the proud superdreadnaughts in the lead and the submarines bringing up the rear It wa, the first time the President had seen the full force under Admiral Henry B. Will son. and it was apparent that he was deeply impressed.
 The day was anything but ideal for this. the first naval pageant of it's kind to be held since before the United States entered the World war Coming into. the roadstead from Washington soon after daybreak, the Mayflower was shrouded in mist and soon afterward a light rain began to fall. This was whipped away. however. by a high wind before the smoke clouds over the horizon announced the approach of the fleet.
 PATROL VESSELS BUSY
 With this signal. the Mayflower, car rylng the President and his guests and secretary Denby and q party who had come down from Washington on the naval yacht Sylph. steamed into posi- tion and anchored on Thimble Shoal with the Presidents flag flying at the main mast. Small craft loaded with pleasure seekers swarmed around the presidential yacht. while naval patrol vessels frant.- cally policed the course set for the fleet to keep it clear.
 Flags and buntings snapped and cracked as the masters of the large and small craft alike maneuvered for ad- vantageous positions near the Mayflower from which each sought to view the pageant. Two-score seaplanes from the naval base and number of army planes from Langley field dipped and swooped over the harbor while four dirigbles that had hung lazly over the inner harbor until the Mayflower had taken station stirred into action and headel for the outer harbor to escort Admiral Wilson s forces to it's anchorage. It was but few minutes after o'clock when the Pennsylvania, flying at the main the flag of Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt. and at the fore that of Ad- miral Wilson. came abreast of the May flower and thundered out the presiden- tal salute. while on the flagshp's quar- terdeck the marine guard snapped to
  into the opening bars of the Star Spangled Banner"
 MAvFLOWER REPLIES
 As the music and reverberation Of the saluting guns died away the Mayflowe- replied with IT guns to Admiral Wilson and the national anthem to the flag.
 Ship after ship of the batteship force swung by the reviewing party with crashing guns and blaring bands, every vessel as trim and immaculate as good housewifes kitchen, every man from lowly bluejacket to admiral groomed to a fine point It was the navy on parade in it's pride before the commander-in- chief and the spirits of sea fighters long since departed seemed to hover over the scene.
 The actions speeded up a bit when the ponderous battleships had passed end the sleek destroyers came sliding by. They resembled high spirited chill dren frolcking along in the wake of dignified austere parents as they .railed the battleships up the harbor No bands blared from their decks, and they seemed to say. strictly business as they went their way Astern of the destroyer divisions the submarines wallowed and rolled in the choppy sea, running on the surface with crews standing at attention on deck
 IN uALA "A
 Long before the submarines had | passed the reviewing party, the lnttle- ships and destroyers were at anchor in the roads dressing ship" for the ! Presidents scheduled visit to the Penn l sylvania. As soon a S the last submers- ! ible had paid it's tribute to the chie> executive, the Mayflower lifted her anchor, and steamed up between the l double line of ships at anchor, now in gala attire with long strings of signal | flags dressed over the masts from bow to stern. Again the President received | full naval honors, and again the May flower returned each salute until the | whole harbor resounded to the crash ing of saluting guns. As soon as the | was again at anchor, Ad- | miral Wilson came aboard to pay his | respects for the first time to President | and to assure him that the. Atlantic fleet came north fit for any duty.
 Shortly after the fleet commander to his flagship, the President left the Mayflower for the Pennsyl- vania, and again he received 2l-gun salute. On the quarterdeck of the flagship he greeted more than 1000 | officers Of the fleet and compimented them on the splendid appearance of
  with launches bound to and from the for more than an hour turing the reception. Later the Pres dent and his party took lunch wish he admiral and his staff on the flag | ship.
 DUE HOME TODAY
 Late in the afternoon the Mayflower got under way for Washington, where she was due to arrive early Friday.
 Secretary Denby and his party re- turned to the yacht Sylph, while As \ ,istant Secretary Roosevelt who made he cruise up from Cuba with the fleet ,n the flagship. chose to embark for w Washington in a naval seaplane
 Tn addition to the auxiliary vessels. here were present at the review today he battleships Pennsylvania. Utah, Florida. North Dakota. Arizona. Okla noma Nevada. Connecticut Michigan md South Carolina, IS destroyers and nore than a score of submarines.
 Immediately after the Mayflower eft the harbor the fleet broke up. and various vessels returned to their home ports. The Nevada and Oklahoma re- nained at the Norfolk navy yard the Utah, Florida. Delaware and North Da- kota went to Boston. and the remain der of the battleships to New York The destroyers also went to New York.
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