Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 75, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 February 1909 — FLEET NEARING HOME STEADILY [ARTICLE]

FLEET NEARING HOME STEADILY

Tomorrow the Battleships’ Trip Will Be Done. GLORIOUS TIMES AHEAD Admiral Sperry Accepts, by Wireless, the Invitation to Speak at Dinner In Washington—Old Point Comfort and Norfolk Hotels Are Crowded With Throng That Desires to See the Great Naval Parade—Plan Entertainments For Officers and Enlisted Men.

On Board the Flagship Connecticut, Feb. 19. —The position of the Atlantic fleet and Admiral Arnold's squadron by the latest wireless was latitude 84.29 north; longitude 62.08 west. The fleet is progressing in the formation of column of squadrons at a speed of 10.5 knots. Old Point Comfort, Va., Feb. 19. The near approach of the battleship fleet and its escort, signaled by wireless as less than 700 miles off the Virginia capes, is reflected in the great crowds of visitors pouring into the, hotels here. The big armored cruisers North Carolina and Montana finished coaling this morning off Sewell’s Point and dropped down to a new anchorage off the Old Point pier. It is planned now to have the cruisers leave today to join the incoming squardons. The combined forces are expected to arrive at the southern drill grounds fifty miles off the Virginia capes some time tomorrow. Norfolk, Va„ Feb. 19. —Norfolk is preparing an elaborate welcome for the returning battleship fleet. This is the home station of practically half the battleships in the fleet and even after the distribution from Hampton Roads begin the entertainments planned here for the officers and enlisted men will continue. A night parade of the steamers on Saturday, Feb. 27, is to be one of the unique features of the week. Washington. Feb. 19. —Via wireless from Admiral Sperry came the following, accepting the invitation to attend the dinner to be given by the Navy league as a welcome to the homecoming fleet: “Admiral Sperry accepts with much pleasure the agreeable invitation of the Navy League of the United States to the annual dinner of the league at the Hotel Chamberlin, Feb. 22. Admiral Sperry will speak with pleasure, and requests the committee to select the other two officers and will be grateful to be informed who are selected and the toast to which they will be expected to respond or the subject on which they will speak.” Admiral Sperry will respond to - the toast. “The Fleet;" Captain Fremont to “The Modern Battleship,” and Lieutenant Commander McLean to “The American Bluejacket."