 Following her return from the world cruise , Connecticut continued to serve as flagship of the Atlantic Fleet , interrupted only by a March 1909 overhaul at the New York Navy Yard . After rejoining the fleet , she cruised the East Coast from her base at Norfolk , Virginia . For the rest of 1909 , the battleship conducted training and participated in ceremonial observances , such as the Hudson @-@ Fulton Celebration . In early January 1910 , Connecticut left for Cuban waters and stayed there until late March when she returned to New York for a refit . After several months conducting maneuvers and battle practice off the New England coast , she left for Europe on 2 November to go on a midshipman training cruise . She arrived in Portland , England on 15 November and was present during the 1 December birthday celebration of Queen Alexandra , the queen mother . Connecticut next visited Cherbourg , France , where she welcomed visitors from the town and also hosted commander @-@ in @-@ chief of the French Navy Vice @-@ Amiral Laurent Marin @-@ Darbel , and a delegation of his officers . While there , a boat crew from Connecticut engaged a crew from the French battleship Charles Martel in a rowing race ; Connecticut 's crew won by twelve lengths . Connecticut departed French waters for Guantánamo Bay , Cuba on 30 December , and stayed there until 17 March , when she departed for Hampton Roads . 
